“The Friend of Sinners” (Mark 2:13-17)
THE FRIEND OF SINNERS
(Mark 2:13-17)
INTRODUCTION: With whom are we to identify in this story?
I. JESUS, THE MAIN CHARACTER?
II. THE SCRIBES OF THE PHARISEES?
III. THE TAX COLLECTORS AND SINNERS?
Questions for Family Review/Discussion:
- How well do you love stories? What kinds of stories are your favorite: action, romance, humor, fairy tales?
- Why do you think good story-tellers want us to identify with some character?
- What is attractive about identifying with Jesus in this story? Why would this not really be possible?
- Jesus called Levi to come follow him. When did Jesus call you to follow him? What were the circumstances? How quickly did you respond? What has been the outcome of your following Jesus?
- Why do you think so many greedy tax collectors responded to Jesus’ call? How effective do you think the church at large is in calling to the “tax collectors” of our day? How do you think we could become more effective?
- Who were the scribes of the Pharisees? Why do you think they were so indignant about Jesus eating with sinners and tax collectors?
- Whom did the scribes of the Pharisees consider to be “sinners”? Who are the equivalent of these “sinners” today?
- With whom are we, the readers, supposed to identify in this story? Why do you think this is so? How does this change the typical “us-them” that religious people often assume?
- What does Jesus mean by his statement in verse 17? Why is this so hopeful? What two kinds of people are there in the world? Which type are you?