the gospel challenge

An 8-week adventure of discovery

Week Four: Jesus Cleanses Temples 

1.  Watch the message
What did you hear?
What did you notice?
Jot down a word, a phrase, or insight you want to remember throughout the week.
WATCH ANY MESSAGE FROM THIS SERIES HERE
2. Read the passages at least one time during the week:
In the passage this week we read about Jesus’ unexpected response to what is happening at the Temple.  If you had been with Jesus when he cleared the Temple, what would have been your initial thought?
Some things to think about the passage:
  • In Jerusalem, at the Temple, Jesus saw merchants and moneychangers in the courtyard.  Growing up Jewish, this was not the first time Jesus had seen this activity.  Why do you think Jesus responded this way, this time?
  • Verse 15 says “Jesus made a whip from some ropes…”  Jesus’ actions were planned.  He made a decision to make a whip to chase them out of the temple.  What might Jesus have been thinking as he made that whip?  What was he talking to the Father about in those moments?
  • Jesus was angry because the Temple was being misused.  The merchants had become an obstacle for people to enter the Temple and worship God.  What things have crept into your life that may be preventing you from fully worshipping God?  What intentional and possibly drastic actions might you need to take in order to clear the way for you to fully worship God?

John 2:12-25   NLT

12 After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples.
Jesus Clears the Temple
13 It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. 14 In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. 15 Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. 16 Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”
17 Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”[a]
18 But the Jewish leaders demanded, “What are you doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it.”
19 “All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
20 “What!” they exclaimed. “It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?” 21 But when Jesus said “this temple,” he meant his own body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.
Jesus and Nicodemus
23 Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. 24 But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. 25 No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart.

Practices to supplement your reading

3.  Explore a Practice
You are encouraged to explore different spiritual practices during this eight-week challenge.  Not all practices benefit everyone, but you are encouraged to use this time to experiment with something new or return to a practice maybe you haven’t done in a while.  You will be provided with a couple different options.  You are encouraged to try one each week.

Kindness

Show kindness to someone (maybe more than one) this week.  Shovel someone’s sidewalk, buy a cup of coffee for someone, let someone go ahead of you in a check out line, etc.  What could you do anonymously to demonstrate kindness?  Is this practice easy or difficult?   What, if any, obstacles do you struggle with when carrying out acts of kindness? (busyness, unaware of needs of others, having to give up something-time/energy/resources, etc.)

Palms Up/Palms Down

Sit comfortably with your hands on your lap.  Take a deep breath and relax.  Intentionally place yourself in the presence of Jesus.
Turn your palms down and begin to drop your cares, worries, agendas and expectations into Jesus’ hands.  Let go of all that is heavy or burdensome.  Relax.  Take a deep breath.
When you have given your cares to Jesus, turn your palms up on your knees.  Open your hands to receive God’s presence, word and love. Listen.
When you feel prompted to end, tell the Lord what it is like for you to simply be with him.

Control of the Tongue

James 3:2 “…For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.”
Control of the tongue involves an intentional awareness and governance of words as well as tone of voice in all communication.
  • Reflection questions:
  • When and how are you most likely to speak a harsh or impatient word?
  • What is your fallback conversational posture?  Are you defensive, critical, open or able to give the benefit of the doubt? 
  • How do you speak about others when they are not around?
Practice:  Since Scripture tells us that we will give an account for every word we have said, spend some time praying about how you use words.  Imagine that all the words you speak are stored in the cloud.  Then imagine all your words being played back to you.  What do you hear? Give the Lord an account of today’s words.  Confess the sins of your mouth.  Receive God’s gift of forgiveness.  What could you do to improve the way you speak to and about others?
Ephesians 4:29 “Don’t use foul or abusive language.  Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
(practices are from “The Spiritual Handbook, by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun)

Talk to a Friend

Take the initiative to call, Zoom, Facetime or talk with someone about the message and/or your reading of the passage from John this week.  Here are some optional questions/suggestions to get your conversation started:
  • Share a thought or insight from Sunday’s message.
  • What did you notice from the Scripture passage?
  • Which practice has been most beneficial to you so far?  Is there one you would like to do more often?
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May God meet you in the reading of His Word, as you practice His presence, and demonstrate His love and grace to others!
Have a wonderful week!