Jesus Rejected at Nazareth 

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To view the Leader Guide for this week, click here.

To view a .docx version of this guide, click here.

Introduction 

Last week, we discussed Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, where He talked about how to truly follow God. Jesus explained that living the new life He offers requires walking in light and truth instead of darkness and sin. 

During last week’s apply section, each person in your group wrote down specific action steps to practice during the week. How did everyone’s action steps go? 

This week we will be discussing the story of Jesus being rejected in His hometown of Nazareth. Keep this in mind as you begin your meeting in prayer for God’s blessing over this time with your group. 

Connect  

• What is something you used to believe as a kid that makes you laugh now? 
• When have you had a tough time changing your views on something? 
  • What made you re-examine this?
  • How have those new views been received by those you’ve told? 

Opening Thought 

Changing our perspective can be difficult, especially when our beliefs go against what others expect or believe. This is especially true when it comes to following Jesus. We can often get distracted or tempted to stay silent and avoid uncomfortable conversations, but God invites us instead to share what we believe, even when it’s challenging. Like Jesus, we’re called to share who He is with grace and courage, trusting that the message is worth it, even when it’s not always accepted. 

This leads us to our main idea for this week:  

Main idea for the week

We should graciously share who Jesus is with others,
even when it’s challenging. 

Where we are this week

Today’s story is Jesus’ interaction with the people of his hometown, Nazareth. The story takes place within the synagogue (a Jewish place of worship, teaching, and theological discussion) where Jesus is reading from the Hebrew Bible, aka the “Old Testament” in the Christian Bible. He reads a section from the book of the Prophet Isaiah, which is an explanation of the promised person to come to the Jews, known as the Messiah, who will usher them into a new kingdom of God. Jesus then explains through this reading that he is this promised Messiah, the time for him to start his public ministry in the world is now, and this might be hard for some to accept because it will look different than expected. 

Unpack 

Read each set of verses out loud as a group, making observations as you go. Afterward discuss each of the connected questions before moving to the next set of verses: 

Read  

Luke 4:14-30 

Unpack 

• In verses 18-21, Jesus reads the section from the book of Isaiah then says it’s about himself. What do you think the people were thinking when Jesus did this? 
• What was Jesus actually saying in verses 24-27? Why do you think this was important for the people to hear? 
  • Why was this message something that caused the people to become angry enough to want to kill Jesus? 
• Why might the people of Nazareth, who knew Jesus from His childhood, have found it hard to accept Him as the Messiah? 
  • Why do you think close familiarity can make it difficult to change your worldview about certain ideas or people? 
  • Have you ever examined the ideas/teachings you first learned about Jesus to see if they match up to the Jesus we read about in the Bible?  
    • Why is this important? 
• How does Jesus’ rejection at Nazareth reflect how we might be received when we share the gospel? 
  • How can you prepare yourself for rejection or people being offended by the message of Jesus well?  
    • How do you keep going when inviting people to follow Jesus feels challenging or discouraging? 
• How is your normal reaction to opposition different than how Jesus handled his rejection? Why do you think this reaction is your default? 
  • How can we rely on God for a similar peace and courage in the face of opposition or discouragement?

Apply 

** Take a moment to discuss these questions as a group and write down what each person’s action steps for the week will be. Next week, talk about how it went! ** 

• What is one step you will take this week to invite those around you to follow Jesus? 
  • How might you do this with those closest to you (family, friends, etc.)? 
• How will you develop one negative reactive habit you have to a positive one for the sake of inviting people to follow Jesus? 
• Where will you look for opportunities to be open about your faith this week in your daily life? 
• How will we as a group be examples of pursuing faithfulness to Jesus, even when there are challenges? What practical step will we decide on today? 
   

Closing 

Read the first section to your group, then read the verse out loud to the group, and finally, move to the Prayer and Verses section: 

Living out our faith can feel uncomfortable, especially when it challenges what those around us believe. It’s easy to be tempted to stay quiet or avoid tough conversations, but God calls us to step forward with boldness. We’re invited to share who Jesus is, even when it feels risky or difficult. Like Jesus, we’re meant to speak the truth about who he is with grace and love, trusting that the impact of the message is worth the discomfort.  

Prayer and Verses 

Ask for prayer requests and conclude your time with prayer then share the Key Verse for the Week and Daily Devotional Verses with the group. 

Thematic Reflection Verse for the Week  

*Read this verse, then encourage the practice of memorization through the week. 

Psalm 105:1 

“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.” 

**When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us. 

Daily Devotional Verses  

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Use the S.O.A.P. method to reflect on the verses below. 

Scripture: Read the verses several times. Reading out loud can be helpful as well. 
Observation: What can you see about the scripture you read? 
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read? 
Prayer: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned. 

Day 1: Matthew 28:19 

Day 2: Philippians 2:12-13 

Day 3: Hebrews 13:16 

Day 4: 1 Peter 3:15 

Day 5: Mark 16:15 

Day 6: Romans 15:13