Journey through the Gospels

Luke Chapters 11-12

1) How much do you pray?  How persistent are you in bringing requests to God?  What do you learn about God from 11:5-13?

2) What does it mean to be a hypocrite?  In what areas of your faith could you slip into hypocrisy?

3) Do you struggle with being greedy?  What are some things that draw you towards greed?  Instead of being greedy, how can you be rich toward God (12:21)?

Prayer is both an ongoing activity and a specific endeavor.  The lesson here in Luke is that we have the freedom to be persistent in our prayers.  The reason this is possible is because of God’s goodness towards us (11:13).

Hypocrisy was Jesus’ main charge against the Pharisees (12:1).  Hypocrisy means impersonating someone, playing a part, pretending.  Spiritually it is seen in acting out faith without a true relationship with God.

Greed is a selfish and excessive desire for more of something than is needed.  In our materialistic culture, we all struggle with stuff to some degree.   Jesus cure for greed is to focus on kingdom stuff – those things that will last beyond this life (the word of God and the souls of men).

Luke Chapters 13-14

1) How aware are you of the needs around you?  How willing are you to get involved?  How willing are you to get involved right away?

2) What next step does God have for you in your relationship with Him?  What does He long to see take place in your life?  Are you willing for this to happen?

3) Picture the setting of Jesus’ parable found in 14:7-11.  What is the main point of His teaching?  What is a modern parallel?

In one of many confrontations with the Pharisees, Jesus calls them out for refusing to heal on the Sabbath.  So cold were these religious leaders, that they told people to come back to be healed on another day (13:14).  Jesus met the needs of those around Him when He saw them.  He didn’t put things off until later.

I wonder what areas of your life Jesus longs to be involved in, but finds that you are not willing (13:34).  I wonder who He wants to send you to, but you are not willing.  I pray that you would change and become willing to be and to do what Jesus longs for.

In 14:11, we find another of Jesus’ teachings that goes against the flow of the culture.  In a world that says “look out for number one,” Jesus teaches that humility is supreme.  Often viewed as weakness by the world, humility is one characteristic of those living out the ways of God’s kingdom.

Luke Chapters 15-16

1) The Pharisee’s brought a charge against Jesus.  What was it (15:2)?  How did Jesus respond?  What is the common theme of the three parables in Luke 15 (see verses 7, 10 and 32)?

2) What is Jesus’ lesson in 16:10?  How does this truth show up in your life?

3) What does the world value?  What does our culture deem as important?  How do Jesus’ words in 16:15 impact you?

Luke 15 shows that God stands eager to forgive and ready to celebrate those that are far from Him.  But the beginning and end of the chapter show that the religiously righteous person is unable to share this joy.  We must never lose sight of what we have received and never lose the desire to see others receive it as well.

Want more money?  How well do you manage what you have?  Want more responsibility?  How do you take care of what you are responsible for now?  Want more freedom?  How do you act with the freedom you currently have?  We need to be faithful, wise, and diligent with the little we start with before we can expect to be given more.

Jesus brings up the issue of the heart again (16:15).  In very strong language, He once again chastises the Pharisees for pursuing that which is detestable in God’s sight.  Jesus was specifically speaking of money, but anything that pulls our hearts away from God could have been addressed.

Luke Chapters 17-18

1)  How willingly do you serve God?  What motivates you to do so?  What do you expect in return for your service?  What does Jesus have to say about serving in 17:7-10?

2) According to Jesus, what is the way to the top (18:14)?  How does this coincide with what the world teaches?  How do you reconcile the difference?

3) How much of God’s plan do you understand?  Are there some things you don’t quite get?  What was an issue that the disciples were in the dark about (18:31-34)?

While serving God is certainly a good thing to do, Jesus indicates that we shouldn’t spend a lot of time patting ourselves on the back.  Serving is natural, normal, even expected for those living life according to the ways of the Kingdom.

In one of the great contrasts of life in the Kingdom, Jesus helps us see that the way to the top is found by working your way to the bottom.  While the world tells us to promote ourselves to get ahead, Jesus tells us to humble ourselves and leave the rest to God.

Although Jesus spoke freely and often about His death, His followers simply could not comprehend what He was talking about.  Fortunately for us, we have been given the privilege of not only knowing about, but also being those that benefit from God’s plan through Christ.

Luke Chapters 19-20

1) Have you ever tried to fill in some of the gaps in the Bible?  Have you ever wondered what took place between the lines?  Consider what happens between verses 34 and 35 in Luke 19?  What does this tell you about Jesus?

2) What role might you play in the parable of the tenants (20:9-19)?  Why would this be so?

3) Consider Jesus’ statement in 20:25.  What is to be given to Caesar?  What is to be given to God?

It is amazing to see how God fills in all the details in His story.  From major issues to minor matters, God takes care of everything.  Be encouraged to know that God is doing this every day all around you.

Although the parable of the tenants is about Israel (20:19), I believe we can find ourselves in the role of the farmers.  We have been entrusted to work in God’s harvest fields (Matthew 9:37-38).

In another attempt to trap Jesus, the religious leaders ask a question about paying taxes hoping to get Jesus in trouble with the civil authorities.  While Jesus acknowledged our responsibility to the government, He also called us to give God what He requires (see Micah 6:8).

Luke Chapters 21-22

1) When is it easier to be a witness for God; when things are going well or when things are going badly?  How can God use any situation for His purposes?

2) What speed do you live your life at?  How well do you disconnect and recharge?  What was the rhythm of Jesus’ life according to 21:37?

3) Why didn’t Jesus resist the advance of evil men (22:47-53)?  Why did darkness settle in for a time?

In the midst of a lengthy passage about the end of the age (21:5-28), Jesus speaks positively about being His witnesses.  Even in the midst of the turmoil of those days, He says that we will have the opportunity to witness for Him.  God indeed can use any situation for His purposes.

We read throughout the gospels about the time Jesus spent doing ministry and the time He spent alone with His Father.  But in 21:37, we find in one place Jesus living His life with a great rhythm – work during the day; retreat during the night.  Sounds like a good plan for us!

As we read the gospels we are reading the story of Jesus.  But we must remember that there is another story being lived out as well; the story of Satan.  In the midst of all the hope and promise that Jesus brings is the darkness of the evil one (22:53).  Yet, we know where this story is going!

Luke Chapters 23-24

1) Why did Jesus have to die?  What was He guilty of (23:22 and 23:41)?

2) Ever heard the phrase “It’s not over until the fat lady sings?”  What does this mean?  How does this apply to Jesus’ death (24:5-8)?

3) How did Jesus’ death impact His followers (24:21)?  What happens when you lose hope? 

Jesus did not die for anything He was guilty of; He died for our sins!  Pilate knew this.  Even the criminal that died with Him recognized this.  Yet, Jesus’ death was God’s way to redeem us.  All of this was according to His plan, not the plan of the people (23:25).

Nothing completely comes together until we know what God says about it; He always has the final word.  Even death faded away when the women remembered the words of Jesus.

Those following Jesus truly believed He was Who He said He was.  And yet, when He died, it seemed like all hope was lost.  The good news for them came three days later; Jesus was alive – hope was restored!  Praise God that we always have hope because of what Jesus did.

John Chapters 1-2

1) Fully man – fully God.  How do you describe Jesus?  What does 1:1-2 make clear?  What has our journey through the gospels made clear?

2) What is significant about John referring to Jesus as the Lamb of God (1:29)?  How would John’s message been obvious to the Jews?

3) Consider Jesus’ first miracle as recorded in 2:1-11.  How might the words of the master of the banquet apply to Jesus (2:10)?

The opening verses of John’s gospel speak incredible truths about the very nature of God.  Be sure to reread them slowly before moving ahead.  One of the clearest statements about the deity of Jesus Christ is found in 1:1-2.  Jesus is God; always has been, always will be.  While our journey through the gospels has given us great insight in to Jesus the man, never forget that He is fully God.

In another incredibly significant statement, John properly identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God (1:29).  The fullness of this title would be realized as Jesus’ life was given as the perfect sacrifice for sin.

The opening of John’s gospel paint a clear picture of Jesus the Messiah, the Perfect Sacrifice sent to settle the payment of sin once and for all.  We can truly say that God saved the best until He sent His Son.

John Chapters 3-4

1) Why did Jesus come?  How basically can you state this?  How does this impact how you represent Him today?

2) Can your serving God get in the way of people seeing Jesus?  What would it look like for Jesus to become greater in your life?

3) What would happen if we oriented our lives around taking Jesus at His word?  What would be the result of believing without seeing?

We know and love what is expressed in John 3:16.  It clearly states God’s purpose in sending Jesus.  Verse 17 continues this thought by stating what Jesus did not come to do – condemn.  Our focus should be the same as His – loving people into faith; not condemning them into shame.

John the Baptist understood what was happening around him (3:26-30).  His ability to see the bigger picture allowed him to humble himself before God.  He knew his role and he knew the role of Jesus.

4:46 introduces us to a royal official whose son was gravely ill.  This man found Jesus in Cana and asked Him to come to Capernaum and heal his ill son.  Jesus tells the man to go home, but that he would not be joining him.  Jesus also told the man that his son would be fine.  This man who had begged Jesus to travel to heal his son left for home without the One who could help.  How did he do this?  He took Jesus at his word.  He believed Jesus based upon what He said without seeing what He would do.

John Chapters 5-6

1) Why did Jesus ask such a basic question in 5:6?  Wouldn’t the answer be obvious?  Are there times when we don’t want to be changed by God?

 

2) Why do you read the Bible?  What is the purpose of your time in God’s Word?

 

3) Where do you turn when dealing with the challenges of life?  How do you handle the difficulties you face?  What did the disciples come to realize in 6:68?

 

 

“Do you want to get well?”  What a question.  Who wouldn’t answer “yes?”  And yet, how many are willing to follow God’s path to wholeness?  God stands ready to forgive, to heal, to change.  Are you ready to be obedient to Him?

 

As incredible as this may sound, be careful reading the Bible.  Our goal is not to learn God’s Word, but to be changed by it.  Our aim is not to get to know the truth, but to get to know Jesus.  Bible study must be seen as a means to an end and not the end itself.

 

As the crowds began to drift away, the disciples reaffirmed their commitment to follow Jesus.  They rightly determined that He is the only One that offers life; there is no where else to turn (6:66-69).