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The Wisdom of Jesus - Lesson 7: Hometown Hero

Explore the story of Jesus' return to his hometown and the unmet expectations and impeded reception he faced. Learn how to avoid familiarity breeding contempt in our relationship with Jesus.

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The Wisdom of Jesus - Lesson 7: Hometown Hero

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  1. The Wisdomof Jesus Lesson 7

  2. Introduction • Ordinary and Familiar • Lesson Context

  3. Hometown Hero • In high school LeBron James played basketball at St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. • When he became rich and famous as one of the all-time greatest professional basketball players, James wanted to give back to his hometown. • In addition to being active in several nonprofit organizations, James created the LeBron James Family Foundation, based in Akron.

  4. Hometown Hero • In 2015, James announced a partnership with the University of Akron to provide scholarships for as many as 2,300 children, beginning in 2021. • In November 2017, the Akron School Board approved the “I Promise School,” a public elementary school created in partnership with the LeBron James Family Foundation to help struggling elementary school students stay in school.

  5. Hometown Hero • James later reflected that it was the most important professional accomplishment of his life. • The people of Akron are very grateful to their hometown hero. • Because of His mighty miracles and powerful teaching, Jesus also should have been a hometown hero to the people of Nazareth. But it wasn’t that way. • Let’s find out why.

  6. Homeward BoundMark 6:1 • Travel (v. 1a) • Companions (v. 1b)

  7. Unmet Expectations • Read Mark 6:1-6. • Choosing from the villagers, the disciples, and Jesus himself, identify which one might have had the following expectations. Then state what actually happened. 1. When Jesus comes back home, He will be met with a warm reception. • The disciples. But instead the people rejected Him.

  8. Unmet Expectations • Read Mark 6:1-6. 2. Since Jesus never had any special training, His teaching won’t be that impressive. • The villagers. But when they heard Him teach, they were astonished. 3. Jesus should be able to do as many mighty works here as He did elsewhere. • The disciples. But He could do few miracles there.

  9. Unmet Expectations • Read Mark 6:1-6. 4. He’s just a carpenter, and we know His whole family. How could He possibly be anybody special? • The villagers. Because Jesus was familiar to them, they were unable to see how extraordinary He truly was. 5. Surely my own people will believe in me. • Jesus. But He marveled at their unbelief.

  10. Unmet Expectations • Read Mark 6:1-6. 6. A prophet should receive special honor from the people who knew him growing up. • The disciples. But Jesus taught them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his relatives, and in his own home.”

  11. What Do You Think? • What preparations might a Christian make to ensure that interactions with hometown folks have the best chance of being taken in a positive way? • Digging Deeper – Which of those preparations would be appropriate and inappropriate in non-hometown contexts? Why?

  12. Neighbors Weigh InMark 6:2, 3 • New Information (v. 2) • Old Knowledge (v. 3)

  13. What Do You Think? • What are some good ways to sidestep the question “What do you do for a living?” so that the one asking it doesn’t develop misconceptions based on your occupation? • Digging Deeper – In what circumstances might voicing one’s past or present occupational credentials serve to advance the gospel (compare Acts 23:6)?

  14. What Do You Think? • What are some good ways to sidestep the question “Where are you from?” so that the one asking it doesn’t develop misconceptions based on where you grew up? • Digging Deeper – On the other hand, in what circumstances might proclaiming the place of one’s origin serve to advance the gospel (compare Acts 21:39)?

  15. Jesus Impeded Mark 6:4-6 • Like a Prophet (v. 4) • Without Opportunity (v. 5) • Without Boundaries (v. 6)

  16. What Do You Think? • Under what circumstances, if any, will you be prepared to quote Mark 6:4 in reference to how hometown folks react to your witness? • Digging Deeper – What pushback must you be prepared to neutralize in doing so?

  17. What Do You Think? • When finding yourself in a hostile environment, how will you know whether you should stay put or move on? • Digging Deeper – What passages in addition to Matthew 7:6; Mark 6:11; Acts 8:1b; 16:36, 37; and 18:9-11 can help inform your answer?

  18. Conclusion • Normal Wisdom • Prayer • Thought to Remember

  19. Avoiding the Pitfalls • We might feel contempt for the people of Nazareth for being unable to appreciate and honor Jesus appropriately. • But how might the saying “Familiarity breeds contempt” be applied to someone who has been a Christian for a very long time? • The person may assume that he or she knows everything there is to know about Jesus. That may result in an overly casual approach to Him.

  20. Avoiding the Pitfalls • What are some things that long-time Christians can do to avoid such pitfalls? How can we keep our relationship with Jesus fresh and reverent? • Regularly singing praise songs. • Remembering what He did for us on the cross. • Thanking Him for daily mercies. • Trusting Him for guidance through tough times.

  21. Thought to Remember God uses ordinary peopleto do extraordinary things.

  22. Wisdom to Follow Next Week’s Lesson

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