he is risen8ef80b58c6ae6b008df1-036eaedec0108d35b1642758b831920a.r94.cf2.… · a burden to others....
TRANSCRIPT
How can we know Jesus is alive? The facts are in.
In the courtroom, only two things matter: the evidence and the testimony of witnesses. Hearsay doesn’t count.
Opinions don’t count. Just the evidence and eyewitness testimony.
On the surface, the resurrection of Jesus—a dead man coming to life after three days—sounds just as outlandish as
some of the supermarket tabloid headlines. Yet untold millions of people have believed that story and grounded their
lives and hope in it. Why?
Evidence and eyewitness testimony.
Jesus has risen from death, and He is alive. Massive evidence points to the reality of this event. Hundreds of people saw
Jesus after He came out of the tomb. In this study, we’re only going to scratch the surface of this evidence, but even
with what we will see in this study from Luke 24, it will be clear that—yes, as sensational as it sounds—Jesus is alive!
DERWIN L. GRAY
Derwin L. Gray is the founding and lead pastor of Transformation Church, a
multi-ethnic community with two campuses in South Carolina. Previously,
Derwin played for the NFL, and it was during his time with the Indianapolis
Colts that He encountered the risen Christ. He and his wife Vicki have two
children. He is the author of Crazy Grace for Crazy Times (LifeWay Press).
B I B L E S T U D I E S F O R L I F E 83© 2016 LifeWay
The PointThe resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on.
The PassageLuke 24:1-8,36-40
The Bible Meets Life Our culture often determines a person’s value by how that person can contribute to society or not be
a burden to others. Unfortunately, a lot of people—including the unborn, the elderly, or those with
special needs—must depend on others. Some people question the value of a person who cannot
“stand on their own two feet,” but God never does. Every person has value and purpose.
The SettingWomen who observed Jesus’ burial went to the tomb on Sunday to anoint His body with spices. They
discovered the tomb empty and were informed Jesus was not there. Later that night, Jesus appeared
to His disciples, showing them His hands and His feet. His resurrection affirmed that He was and is
the Son of God. The disciples witnessed His resurrected body and came to believe, though it took
convincing for some of them.
SPECIAL FOCUS
HE IS RISEN
B I B L E S T U D I E S F O R L I F E 85© 2016 LifeWay
Luke 24:1-8,36-40 (CSB)1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.
2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes.
5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.
“Why are you looking for the living among the dead? ” asked the men.
6 “He is not here, but he has risen! Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee,
7 saying, ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?”
8 And they remembered his words.
36 As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!”
37 But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost.
38 “Why are you troubled? ” he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts?
39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.”
40 Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet.
The Spices (v. 1)—The Greek noun “aroma” refers to any kind of fragrant substance, fragrant spice, salve, oil, or perfume; here it specifically references those used in burying the dead.
What does the Bible say?
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Notes
The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on.
GET INTO THE STUDYDISCUSS: Invite your group members to
discuss Question #1 on page 67 of the
PSG (Personal Study Guide): “When have
you been completely surprised?”
SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 68): Pain, doubt, and disappointment. Too
often we find ourselves struggling with
these in our lives. To one degree or
another, I’m sure we’ve all faced those
moments when the world just seemed
to go dark. We had no idea what would
happen next or what we should do to help the situation.
In Luke’s Gospel, we read an account of a group of women who felt just such doubt
and disappointment. They trudged on to do what needed to be done in spite of
their feelings, but they were caught off-guard and were joyfully surprised by what
happened next. Jesus was alive; that changed everything.
SAY: “Jesus is still alive, and that changes everything for us too.”
GUIDE: Call attention to The Point on page 68 of the PSG: “The resurrection of
Jesus is a fact you can build your life on.”
ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Show group members a magnifying glass and ask: “What
things do you associate with a magnifying glass?” Discuss responses. Point out that a
detective might use a magnifying glass to gather evidence to find out the truth. Ask: “If
someone asked you to provide some solid evidence for Jesus’ resurrection, what would
you say?” Discuss answers and share that today’s session identifies some reasons we
can believe that Jesus really did rise from the dead—and that our faith is real.
PRAY: Transition into the discussion with prayer. As you do, thank God for sending
Jesus to die for our sins and for the hope we’re offered in Him.
TIP: This session is a great opportunity to talk about salvation with any group members who aren’t yet believers. Use the inside front cover of this Leader Guide for assistance.
Display Pack Item #7 to use with your discussion of Luke 24:36-40 on page 92.PLAYLIST PICK:
“The God I Know” By Love & The Outcome
10 minutes
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THE POINT
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Notes
Luke 24:1-6a (CSB)
1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? ” asked the men. 6 “He is not here, but he has risen!”
READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Luke 24:1-6a.
SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 69): The first Sunday morning after Jesus’
crucifixion was anything but a celebration for His disciples. It was a day of death,
doubt, and disappointment.
» Early that morning, a small group of women that included Mary Magdalene,
Joanna, and Mary the mother of James (Luke 24:10) went to the tomb with
spices to prepare Jesus’ body properly for burial.
» The women knew the task before them, but Mark’s Gospel notes they had no
idea how they would get into the tomb with such a large stone in front of it
(Mark 16:3). However, when they arrived at the tomb they “found the stone
rolled away from the tomb” (v. 2). They also found the tomb to be empty.
DISCUSS: Question #2 on page 69 of the PSG: “What are some ways our
culture tries to explain away Jesus’ resurrection?”
SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 70): How do we know Jesus is alive?
» His tomb is empty! Had Jesus’ body been stolen, or if the women had merely
gone to the wrong tomb, the idea of a resurrection easily could be laid to rest
simply by going to the right tomb or by producing Jesus’ dead body.
» Also, the disciples would not have faced persecution and death for a lie that
Jesus was resurrected rather than stolen and hidden away.
» If Luke had been trying to invent something that did not happen, he most
likely would have made the first witnesses to the empty tomb be some
of Jesus’ twelve apostles—some of the twelve men. Why? At that time, a
woman’s testimony was not valid in court.
ALTERNATE QUESTION:What emotions would you have experienced on the way to the tomb?
STUDY THE BIBLE10 minutes
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The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on.
Luke 24:1-6a Commentary
The empty tomb points to the resurrection of Jesus. Verse 1: Jesus was crucified and laid in
a borrowed tomb on Friday; He rose to life victoriously on Sunday, the first day of the week. No one
knows the exact time Jesus arose from the dead, but it must have been extremely early on Sunday, for
the women went to the tomb “very early in the morning,” a descriptive term that means “deep dawn.”
The women “came to the tomb.” Tombs were often carved into existing caves, with several chambers
for bodies. After burial preparations, for which the women had come, were completed, the bodies were
laid on shelves in the rock. The spices were used to prepare the body for burial and offset the odor
of decay. The additional spices brought on Sunday show proper respect for the dead. Evidently, the
women felt it was necessary to apply extra spices and ointment to the body, either as an additional
show of honor and respect or out of necessity to finalize the process. Either way, the women wanted to
complete the burial process.
Verse 2: A large, circular stone probably at least four feet in diameter and fourteen inches thick sealed
the tomb. Removing the stone would have been a major obstacle. The stone’s sheer size and weight
would have made it impossible for them to roll it up the slanted channel. When they arrived, they found
the stone rolled away. Miraculously, God had solved the stone problem for them. The tomb was open
and empty; Jesus was not there.
Verses 3-4: A sad labor of love was transformed into mystery. Yet the absence of the body was not
sufficient to lead them to belief in Jesus’ resurrection. As we read in verse 41, even when Jesus’ followers
saw Him face to face they experienced joy, but they still could not believe. The women stood surprised
and perplexed, unable to process what was happening. Suddenly two men who were angels appeared.
They “stood by,” which means “to step up suddenly” or “to burst upon” a person.
Verse 5: The women were terrified, a common response to angelic appearances. Their fear may have
been more reverential awe rather than stark terror. They “bowed down to the ground”—a mark of
respect in the presence of the angels. The angels asked: “Why are you looking for the living among the
dead?” The question revealed the folly of believing that Jesus was still in the tomb. The angels gently
rebuked the women for seeking Jesus in the graveyard.
Verse 6a: “He is not here, but he has risen!” is a statement of faith, the capstone of Christianity, the very
essence of the gospel message that changes people’s lives and eternity. Jesus is not dead; He is alive.
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THE POINT
© 2016 LifeWay
Notes
Luke 24:6b-8 (CSB)
6 “Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” 8 And they remembered his words.
READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Luke 24:6b-8.
SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 70): The tomb was empty, but that should not
have been a surprise to these women or any of Jesus’ followers.
» Jesus repeatedly announced His death—long before anyone else could see
His arrest on the horizon (Luke 9:22,44; 17:25; 18:31-33; 22:37).
» This fact reveals that Jesus’ death was no accident. He died on the cross in our
place, and He defeated death for us.
DISCUSS: Question #3 on page 70 of the PSG: “Why is it significant that
Jesus knew in advance what would happen to Him?”
DO: Instruct group members to complete the activity on page 72 on their own. If
time allows, invite volunteers to share their responses aloud.
OUR MIGHTY CONQUEROR: Jesus defeated our greatest enemy, death, so we
could live with Him forever. This truth gives us hope: He can conquer anything and
everything we struggle with today.
» What “enemies” do you need victory over in your life? (Mark all that apply.)
_____ Finances _____ Relationships
_____ Work _____ Big decisions
_____ Health _____ Anxiety
_____ Image _____ Other: _________________
» Since Jesus defeated death, I believe He can help me _________________
______________________________________.
» This week, I will ______________________________ to remind me of
His power and victory in my life.
ALTERNATE QUESTION:When has remembering God’s Word helped you in a crisis?
STUDY THE BIBLE10 minutes
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The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on.
Luke 24:6b-8 Commentary
Jesus foretold His resurrection. Verses 6b-7: The angels not only informed the women of Jesus’
resurrection, they also challenged the women to “remember how he spoke to you when he was still in
Galilee.” All of Jesus’ disciples had failed to anticipate or understand His pending death and resurrection,
but it was not for lack of instruction on Jesus’ part. He had plainly revealed His resurrection from the
dead as occurring on the third day (Luke 9:22; 18:32-33). The third day does not refer to three 24-hour
days, but inclusively to any part of three days. He was buried on Friday before sundown, the beginning
of the Sabbath as the Jews reckoned time. Thus, Friday was the first day He was in the tomb. Saturday
would have been the second day, with Sunday (from sundown Saturday evening until the time of His
resurrection) being the third.
Jesus often spoke metaphorically and the women, along with the rest of Jesus’ followers, had probably
taken the strange words about resurrection in the same way. Or perhaps, in their anguish and grief,
the women simply had forgotten Jesus’ prediction that He would rise from the dead. Either way, a
bodily resurrection was beyond their comprehension and hopes. Yet Jesus had clearly told His followers
that He would be betrayed, crucified, and resurrected. Without twenty centuries of hindsight, we can
understand how His words might have sounded preposterous, if not downright ludicrous.
Verse 8: Having been prompted by the angels, the women remembered His words. “His words” were
Jesus’ prophecies concerning His resurrection. On several occasions Jesus told His followers that He
would suffer and die and be raised from the dead (Matthew 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19; Luke 9:22,44;
18:31-34). Even though Jesus had uttered these words, with the fact that He had died such a cruel death
on the cross, it never entered the minds of these women (or the other disciples for that matter) during
their despondency and sorrow that Jesus would rise again. But once they realized that not only was
Jesus’ resurrection possible but now a reality, the women could again clearly recall Jesus’ words. They
now interpreted the empty tomb in light of Jesus’ foretelling. The women then understood that the
body had not been removed or relocated, but that Jesus had risen from the dead. The tomb was empty.
Now, the remembrance of Jesus’ words flooded their hearts and minds. They had a story to tell. They
couldn’t wait to return to the others to report what they had seen and heard. It was the news that
would transform them into powerful proclaimers of truth and birth a movement. They hurried off from
the tomb and reported what they had seen and heard. Unfortunately, the others did not believe the
women, considering their story to be nonsense or an idle tale (Luke 24:9-11). They would not believe
without a personal experience. Luke recorded that Peter went to check out the story for himself and
was amazed at what he discovered (v. 12).
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THE POINT
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Notes
Luke 24:36-40 (CSB)
36 As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 “Why are you troubled? ” he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” 40 Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet.
READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Luke 24:36-40.
SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 73): The disciples were not expecting to see
Jesus. In fact, “they were startled and terrified” (v. 37) just as the women had been
earlier (v. 5).
» Jesus knew what the disciples were thinking—their fright no doubt was
evident in their body language—and He asked why they were troubled (v. 38).
» Some people still doubted the reality of the resurrection, and some may have
wondered exactly who was standing in front of them. Was he a ghost or a
physical person? Jesus squelched those doubts in v. 39: “Touch me and see,
because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.”
DISCUSS: Question #4 on page 72 of the PSG: “How has Jesus proven
Himself to you in the past?” (Note: Be prepared to share a personal experience .)
ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Divide group members into subgroups of three or four
members each. Instruct each subgroup to summarize the quote on PSG page 72 in
their own words. After several minutes, invite groups to share their responses.
DISCUSS: Question #5 on page 73 of the PSG: “What makes the resurrection
so important for believers today?”
LEADER PACK: Use Pack Item #7, “Evidence” poster, to discuss the biblical and
historical evidence that supports the reality of Jesus’ resurrection.
SAY: ”Jesus defeated sin and death when He rose from the grave. Jesus is alive—
and that changes everything.”
ALTERNATE QUESTION:In what specific ways has Christ given you peace?
STUDY THE BIBLE10 minutes
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The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on.
Luke 24:36-40 Commentary
The disciples saw Jesus after His resurrection. Verse 36: Before the day was over, other disciples
would hear the news and see the resurrected Christ. Believers gathered in the evening to share their
exciting stories of Jesus’ appearing. Suddenly, Jesus “himself stood in their midst.” Although the doors
were shut and locked for fear of the authorities (John 20:19), Jesus appeared by supernatural power
within the closed room. Jesus was no longer bound by limitations of an ordinary earthly body. Jesus
sought to console and to calm the gathered believers. He uttered a familiar blessing: “Peace to you!” It
was the normal greeting of the day, but it carried a far deeper meaning this day. No reason remained for
them to fear. The God of peace was with them, not just in Spirit, but in bodily form.
Verse 37: One might think that upon seeing Jesus the believers would sigh in great relief or burst
forth in song, but instead they were “startled and terrified.” It’s not surprising that they were startled.
After all, the risen Lord suddenly appeared in their midst behind locked doors without warning,
without knocking, without entering through the door. That they were terrified or frightened is not
as easily explained, since several of them had already seen the risen Christ earlier that day and they
had been talking about Jesus’ appearances. Small wonder they thought they were seeing a ghost, or a
disembodied Jesus. Their fear was a natural reaction to the supernatural.
Verse 38: “Why are you troubled?” Jesus asked. The verb for “troubled” means “to agitate, to stir up, to
get excited.” Jesus called on them to look upon the situation in a clearheaded manner. He also asked,
“And why do doubts arise in your hearts?” The doubts likely originated with whether Jesus had actually
been raised bodily from the dead, or whether the person they were encountering was actually Jesus, or
whether Jesus were a ghost. Luke had in mind that the disciples were wondering if Jesus were a ghost.
Verse 39: Jesus sought to calm the disciples not only with His presence but also by showing them His
wounds. Jesus’ command, “Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself!” was an invitation to verify
that it was Jesus Himself who stood before them. Additionally, to physically touch Him would have
shown them He was not a ghost. The proof of Jesus’ human body could be felt. Jesus’ presence was
neither the simple resuscitation of a “swooned” body nor the appearance of a disembodied spirit or
ghost, but rather a true resurrection into a new and glorified body.
Verse 40: The text says nothing about scars, though we can be certain the prints of Calvary were on
His body. Those prints Jesus bears throughout all eternity as a reminder of the price He paid for our
salvation and the victory He won over death by being resurrected to life. Through His resurrection,
Jesus conquered death so His followers can experience true, authentic, and everlasting life.
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THE POINT
© 2016 LifeWay
Notes
LIVE IT OUTSAY: “How will the truth of the resurrection
make a difference in your life?”
GUIDE: Lead group members to consider the
responses to the Bible study listed on page 74
of the PSG.
» Believe. Christ’s resurrection means that
we can be forgiven of our sin. If you’ve not
yet trusted Christ as your Savior and want
to know more, talk with your group leader or read the article on the inside front
cover of this book.
» Study. Learn more about the historical evidence that proves the resurrection
of Christ. Check out Buried Hope or Risen Savior by Charles L. Quarles (B&H
Publishers) or The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel (Zondervan).
» Share. Ask God for chances to share what you believe about Jesus with
someone who isn’t a Christ-follower. Pray for wisdom to communicate all that
we’re given in Christ.
Wrap It Up
SAY: “Doubt, pain, and disappointment will come, but they don’t have to define
your life. Hope is readily available—Jesus has risen from death, and He is alive!”
5 minutes
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B Y H A L L A N E
Jesus’ prediction of His judgment of the nations in Matthew 25:31-46 is one of the most dramatic warnings in the New Testament. The prediction is not a parable but contains metaphorical images that were common to parables (use of sheep and goats to symbolize those judged). The identification of this future event is a matter of disagreement among biblical interpreters. While our primary purpose is to focus on the meaning of “stranger” (Greek, xenos) in Matthew 25:35,38,43,44, a discussion of the identification of this judgment will be necessary. We will study the background of the Greek word in secular Greek culture, its use in the Septuagint (second-century B.C. Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament), and its use by New Testament writers. We will seek to understand how Jesus’ hearers would understand the term and explore its significance for Christians today.
“STRANGER,” A WORD STUDY
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Early Understanding and Practice
The basic meaning of xenos from the earliest Greek usage is “stranger” or “alien.” The word is used from the perspective of someone in a defined community and refers to someone outside that community (stranger). People’s attitudes toward these outsiders were mixed. Some expressed fear and hostility toward strangers. However, Homer and other Greek writers warned that some strangers might be sent by the gods and thus were to be treated with respect. At least officially the mistreatment of strangers was considered a sign of barbarity.1 Greek and later Roman societies developed a cultural virtue of hospitality (Greek, philoxenia, “love of strangers”) based not on fear but concern for outsiders.
Xenos occurs 21 times in the Septuagint primarily to translate the Hebrew word nokriy. The text uses the Greek root synonymously with several other Greek words that different English versions of Scripture translate as “aliens,” “sojourners,” “foreigners,” and “strangers.” The primary distinctions of the stranger from the Old Testament perspective were racial and religious. Strangers were not Israelites and thus not heirs to the covenant promises Abraham and his
descendants received. The stranger, however, was protected by the Mosaic law (Ex. 22:21) and was expected to observe certain prohibitions in the law such as Sabbath observances (23:12). Aliens were given certain rights, and Israelites were commanded to love them in remembrance of their own history as strangers in Egypt (Gen. 15:13; Deut. 10:19). Not only was kindness to strangers a reminder of their history in Egypt, but the Jews had another reason for being gracious to those they did not know. “The Jews . . . believed that angels in disguise were sent to determine whether people were obeying the law of hospitality. People were certain the angels were sent to Abraham for this purpose (Gen. 18:2-8) and also to Gideon (Judg. 6:11-12).”2
Hospitality was thus a valued practice in Old Testament society and was to be extended to strangers. Not only was it a societal norm, but it also was an act of obedience to the Old Testament command to provide protection and provision for the aliens who lived among the people of Israel.
New Testament Usage
Xenos occurs 14 times in the New Testament, and all 5 occurrences in the Gospels are in Matthew (4 in our focal passage in Matt. 25). As mentioned previously, God’s exhortation to Israel in the Old Testament to treat Gentiles with kindness was partially based on the fact that the patriarchs lived as strangers in the land for generations. Hebrews 11:13 uses xenos to describe the status of the patriarchs and their families in the days before the conquest by Joshua.
Paul used xenos specifically of Gentiles in Ephesians 2:12,19. He contrasted the Gentile believers’ relationship to “the covenants of the promise” before and after receiving Christ as Savior. Before they were “foreigners to the covenants” (v. 12)3—and after faith in Christ they were “fellow citizens with the saints” (v. 19). Matthew 27:7 describes the use of the 30 pieces of silver that Judas returned in regret for betraying Jesus. Matthew recorded that the money was used to buy a
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potter’s field “as a burial place for foreigners” (xenois). From the perspective of those who were descendants of Abraham, Gentiles were “strangers.”
We must now consider the meaning of “stranger” as Jesus used the term in describing the judgment of the nations. The first important observation is that this judgment is one of separation between the “righteous” and “the cursed.” The basis of the judgment is the treatment of individuals who were hungry, thirsty, without shelter, naked, sick, and in prison. Jesus described those in need as being “the least of these brothers of Mine” (25:40). Jesus’ use of “brothers” to identify those helped implies they are believers. Although this passage is often applied to compassionate concern for those who are lost, Jesus’ emphasis is on concern shown for other followers of Christ.
As noted at the beginning of our study, “stranger” is a relative term depending on one’s personal point of view. For the Israelite a stranger was a Gentile. In Greek and Roman society a stranger was someone outside their defined group. In the judgment of the nations, the perspective of the peoples of the world defines the meaning of “stranger.” The interpretation consistent with the evidence is that these strangers were believers outside the race or culture of those who either helped or refused to help them.
Believers have questioned when this judgment will occur. Some interpret this as the final judgment determining salvation. The use of the criteria of works is explained as demonstrating the presence or absence of saving faith in Christ. Others interpret this judgment as a separation of the peoples of the world following the second coming to determine who will enter the millennial kingdom on earth (Rev. 20:1‑6). The “brothers” of Jesus are identified as believing Jews who are assisted by the “righteous” (believing Gentiles) during the tribulation period.
While the differing views of the timing of this judgment
in biblical prophecy can be complicated, the virtue Jesus extolled is clear. Extending help toward those outside our circle of acquaintances is a Christian virtue that reveals the presence or absence of saving faith.
Hospitality and assistance to strangers were characteristics of the faithful in the Old Testament and are godly virtues under the New Testament as well. The story Jesus told of the Samaritan who helped the man who had been beaten and robbed on the road to Jericho perhaps best illustrates the godly response to strangers in need (Luke 10:30‑37). The social barriers that divide so many in our world must never be used as an excuse not to help the strangers we encounter. Each stranger we encounter provides an opportunity to minister to them, and in doing so to minister to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
This article by Hal Lane originally appeared in the Fall 2007 issue of Biblical Illustrator magazine. Each quarter Biblical Illustrator offers in-depth articles and information that support our weekly Bible study lessons. You can subscribe to Biblical Illustrator by going to www .lifeway .com/biblicalillustrator, by using your church’s quarterly literature order form, or by calling 1-800-458-2772.
1. H. Bietenhard, “xenos,” The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, gen. ed. Colin Brown, vol. 1 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986), 686-687.2. David L Jenkins, “To Practice Hospitality” in Biblical Illustrator 32 (Winter 2005-2006): 14.3. All Scripture quotations are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB).
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