252 – Luke 19: How Can I Be a Better Person?
Jesus entered Jericho and made his
way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was
the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too
short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig
tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!”
he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement
and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone
to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my
wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will
give them back four times as much!” Jesus responded, “Salvation has
come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of
Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those
who are lost.” LUKE 19:1-10 NLT
I
become a better person when I…
See
the good in even the worst people
Make
allowance for each other’s faults,
and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must
forgive others. COLOSSIANS 3:13 NLT
Look for:
Abilities
This is a trustworthy saying, and
everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” —and I am the worst of them
all. 1 TIMOTHY 1:15 NLT
Release
the things that have a negative hold on me
After
telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his
disciples. As he came to the towns of Bethphage and
Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. “Go into that village over there,” he told
them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has
ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that
colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” LUKE
19:28-31 NLT
Work to make things right with people
I have wronged
Share your story
Because of this, I always try to
maintain a clear conscience before God and all people. ACTS 24:16 NLT
What’s my story? How Jesus has changed
me.
Seek forgiveness
The only thing I failed to do, which
I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong! 2 CORINTHIANS 12:13 NLT
Settle accounts
If he has wronged you in any way or
owes you anything, charge it to me. I, PAUL, WRITE THIS WITH MY OWN HAND: I
WILL REPAY IT. PHILEMON 18-19 NLT
Do all that you can to live in peace
with everyone. ROMANS 12:17 NLT
Community Group Discussion Questions