In this next section, Jesus tells two parables about wedding feasts, which is an event that is central to Jewish culture. In this first parable, Jesus teaches His disciples that it is better to put others before yourselves and be celebrated for your humility, rather than promote yourself and lose everything.

[Luke 14.7-11]

7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What was the situation that Jesus was describing?

+ What kind of event was a wedding feast to the Jewish culture?

+ Why was it important to sit in the place of honor?

+ Why does Jesus say that it is shameful to sit at the higher place first?

+ What does Jesus ask us to do instead?

+ What does this teach us about humility?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ How can you give up your place in order to lift up others?

+ How are working to make your life marked by humility?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ How are you praying for those around you?