Calling of Levi

Jesus performed miracles, taught in the temples, and even raised the dead back to life. Eating with a tax collector was what bothered people the most. What can we learn from the time that Jesus called Levi, now known as Matthew, to be one of his disciples? In addition to the lessons learned from Jesus what can we glean from the response of Levi?

Luke 5:27-35

Discussion topics

This first question may take some time and might even be difficult. Tell the story found in Luke 5:27-32 as a group from the Jesus perspective. Now tell the story again from Levi’s perspective. Finally, re-tell the story one last time from the religious leaders perspective.
– What did each group see?
– What did each group feel and think during this interaction?
– Which person do you relate to the most?

2. Jesus not only told his disciples to “go”, he showed them how he “went”. He did not just tell his followers to heal, he healed people. He did not just preach to go to the sinners, he had dinner with them. Jesus practiced what he preached. Where in your faith do you fall short to practice what you have heard preach or what you yourself have preached?

Lastly what is a practical way in your life that you could connect with the “tax collectors” you know? Here are some suggestions:
Join a group in the community
Volunteer at a school or work event
Participate in a civic organization
Invite people to have dinner with you
The bigger question that has to be asked… will you actually do the thing that Jesus preached?

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