Jesus Spreads the Gospel | The Wolfe Notes

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from GOD'S WORD translation.


Jesus Spreads the Gospel

1. Summary

After healing multitudes, Jesus retreated to solitude. And the crowds searched for Him. When they found Him, they asked Him to stay. But Jesus said that He was sent to tell people in other places the good news too. So Jesus visited synagogues throughout Judea to do exactly that.

2. N/W/L Statements

  1. I NOTICED that:
    1. Jesus did not want the demons to identify Him, but He knew it was His duty to tell others about what God was doing. 
    2. *Jesus' mission is our mission, too! We are not to get others to focus on us, but instead to see and understand what God is doing.
  2. I WONDER:
    1. How much time Jesus got alone before the crowds found Him.
    2. If Jesus was frustrated when they found Him because He craved more solitude.
  3. I think God wants us to LEARN that Jesus lived out His purpose of telling others about God's kingdom, and so should we.

3. Key Verse

But [Jesus] said to them, "I have to tell the Good News about God's kingdom in other cities also. That's what I was sent to do." Luke 4:43 

Jesus knew His mission and He didn't let the crowds sway Him from it. We have a lot to learn from that. We too should know our mission (to build God's kingdom) and not let the influences of others pull us away from it (into worldly concerns).

4. God's Character

  1. God strengthens us in our solitude. (Jesus, who helps us understand the Father, sought solitude after an intense round of miracle-working.)
    1. When you pray, go to your room and close the door. Pray privately to your Father who is with you. Your Father see what you do in private. He will reward you. Matthew 6:6
    2. So Jacob was left alone. Then a man wrestled with him until dawn. Genesis 32:24
    3. This is what the Almighty LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: You can be saved by returning to me. You can have rest. You can be strong by being quiet and by trusting me. But you don't want that. Isaiah 30:15
  2. God does not always do as you ask Him to do, but He does always stick to His purpose. (Though asked to stay, Jesus didn't because doing so would hinder His mission.)
    1. When you pray for things, you don't get them because you want them for the wrong reason - for your own pleasure. James 4:3
    2. The Lord isn't slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn't want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act. 2 Peter 3:9
    3. From the beginning I revealed the end. From long ago I told you things that had not yet happened, saying, "My plan will stand, and I'll do everything I intended to do." Isaiah 46:10
  3. God wants everyone to know of His goodness. (God sent Jesus to tell everyone the good news of His kingdom.)
    1. He wants all people to be saved and to learn the truth. I Timothy 2:4
    2. Turn to me and be saved, all who live at the ends of the earth, because I am God, and there is no other. Isaiah 45:22
    3. You were shown these things [all the things God has done, from creation to rescue from Egypt] so that you would know that the LORD is God. There is no other God. Deuteronomy 4:35

5. Pray

Father God, I know You are good. When I live life according to Your ways, I experience the goodness of You and the fullness of what Your kingdom offers. Yet I know that the people and cares of this world will pull me away. When that happens, please encourage me to retreat and find You in the quiet so You can refocus me to Your purpose: the world must know.

6. Act

  • Retreat and reconnect with God in solitude when your heart is weary and when you feel pulled away from Him.
  • Live in obedience to God's way. Recognize that a firm, "No", to influences that pull you away from His kingdom is the most faithful answer you can give.
  • Tell others the good news of God's kingdom. 
    • What you have experienced personally since being a part of it.
    • How it is available to everyone.

7. Annotation Notes

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, x a cross reference, ! a connection, and italics a referenced source.
  1. ! Jesus often sought solitary places to pray.
    1. x But he would go away to places where he could be alone for prayer. Luke 5:16
    2. x After sending the people away, he went up a mountain to pray by himself. When evening came, he was there alone. Matthew 14:23

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