The Unexpected Gift

La Voz Alegre

Media Give App

The Unexpected Gift

Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1–10

About this Video:

This is the story of Zacchaeus, a despised tax collector, who is confronted by Jesus about his dishonesty. After Jesus visits his home, Zacchaeus feels sorry for his past and chooses to restore what he has stolen and become generous to the poor.

This story shows an amazing change in Zacchaeus’ heart from greed to generosity. It highlights his promise to give back money and to help the poor, which made them curious to know more about Jesus.

Questions to Consider:

Why do you think Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus?

Most people did not like tax collectors, but Jesus still wanted to go to Zacchaeus’ house. What was Jesus hoping to do there?

Do you think Zacchaeus’ heart had truly changed?

Background to the story:

Paying back four times is not a financial penalty. It was considered a way of blessing the victim and making a special effort to restore relationship.

Giving to the poor was one of Isa’s teachings to demonstrate a heart turned to God (Matthew 19:21; Mark 10:21; Luke 11:41; 12:33).

Reference - Luke 19:1-10

The History Lesson

Luke 2:8–20

About this video: The birth of the Jesus began with a series of miraculous events which ended with his arrival in a humble animal stable. His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph, were simply following God’s direction and made the journey by donkey to the town of Bethlehem where the baby was born. Then, in the days that followed, angels appeared and announced the birth to shepherds in nearby fields, who then sought the newborn Messiah foretold by their forefather years ago. Based on the story found in Luke 2, this video shows how the shepherds’ lives were changed that night as they became eyewitnesses to the birth of the Messiah. Questions to consider: How do you think the shepherds felt when the angel first appeared to them? Why do you think God chose the shepherds to announce the birth of his Son in Bethlehem? Why not tell the religious leaders? How would Joseph and Mary feel having a group of shepherds knocking on the door wanting to see the baby Jesus and telling them about the angel’s visit? Do you think any of the shepherds became followers of Jesus as he grew up? Background to the story: This story of the shepherds is recorded only in the book of Luke (2:8-20). Luke records three angelic visits preparing the world for the birth of Jesus. The angels visited Zechariah (John the Baptist’s father), Mary, and the shepherds. Luke often includes stories and reactions of common people who meet Jesus and hear his teachings. Reference - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+2%3a8-20&version=niv

Helping the Outcast

Mark 1:39–45

About this video: Jesus had a reputation of healing the sick and helping the lame to walk. So when a man with leprosy approached him for help, He responded to the man’s belief that he could help heal his diseased body. Jesus responded by completely healing the man as the crowds watched. Many people were amazed as they witnessed the healing miracle. Jesus then told the man to go show his clean body to the priests and temple leaders so that they would know that Jesus has the power of God. Going away, the man could hardly contain his joy and ran to show his family and friends that he was healed. No longer would he need to live separated from his family and friends. Questions to consider: How do you think the man’s family and friends felt when they saw he had been cleansed and was able to return to his home? Do you think his family and friends came to believe in Jesus because of his healing? How do you think the man acted toward his friends in the lepers’ camp after his healing? If you had a sick person and Jesus was nearby, would you take them to Jesus and ask for healing? Background to the story: This story follows Mark 1:39-45. Parallel stories for this book are found in Matthew 8:1-4 and Luke 5:12-16. (Matthew’s version follows Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.) Jesus breaks traditional cleanliness by touching the leprous man. It is a mark of Jesus' great compassion for him and his condition and Jesus' power over leprosy. Reference - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark+1%3a39-45&version=niv

The Bedmaker

Mark 2:1–12

About this Video: A man, lame from birth, hears that the miracle worker named Jesus is teaching in his village and calls his friends to help him go to see him. Not discouraged by the large crowds, the friends lower the man through the roof to be near Jesus, who recognizes the lame man’s faith and heals his body and soul. Most of the focus of this story is on Jesus' miraculous power in healing the lame man and the source of his authority to forgive sins. But the other part of this story is how this miracle changed the lame man long after Jesus left. What happened to him and what kind of work did he begin to do once he could walk and move about? Questions to Consider: What did the people in the crowded room think when the men on the roof began to open a hole to let someone enter from above? What do you think the lame man said to Jesus after being healed? Now that he could walk and move, what do you think the people said about Jesus after witnessing this healing? Background to the Story: It is easy to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” but proving that would be hard. On the other hand, saying, “Get up, take your mat and walk” is much easier to prove his power. Isa knew and understood that doubters would benefit from witnessing both. When the teachers of the law question his healing of the lame man, they were ultimately asking him to also prove he had the authority and power to forgive sins. Reference - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark+2%3a1-12&version=niv