Introduction—Luke 1:1–4
Topics: Answers, Assurance, Authority, Believe, Bible, Christianity, Confidence, Evidence, Instructions, Learning, Reliability
Open It
1. How would a biographer prepare for writing about someone’s life?
2. *What period in history do you wish you could visit? Why?
3. How would you prepare to serve as a character witness in court for your best friend?
Explore It
1. What clues about the relationship between Luke and Theophilus can be found in this introduction? (1:1–3)
2. How had Luke received his evidence for the “things fulfilled among us”? (1:2)
3. *On what kind of people did Luke rely for his information? (1:2)
4. How did Luke rely on eyewitnesses in writing his Gospel? (1:2)
5. Who were the “servants of the word”? (1:2)
6. *What credentials did Luke use to back up the trustworthiness of what he wrote? (1:3)
7. How did Luke describe his approach to historical research? (1:3)
8. What reasons did Luke give for deciding to write his Gospel? (1:3–4)
9. *What did Luke hope would be the result of this Gospel in the life of Theophilus? (1:4)
10. What does the phrase “know the certainty of the things you have been taught” mean? (1:4)
Get It
1. What characteristics of the time in which Luke lived might make him a better observer, listener, and witness than people today are?
2. On what evidence would you rely to be certain of the things you were taught?
3. *In what ways can we identify with Theophilus?
4. *Why is Luke’s assurance of accuracy important?
5. If you got a personal letter tomorrow that began just like this introduction, with your name in the place of Theophilus, how would you treat the letter?
6. Are you a person who needs to be taught or a person who needs to be more certain of what you have already been taught?
7. Why would an accurate account of Jesus’ life be a powerful evangelistic tool?
Apply It
1. How do you personally plan to approach this study of the Gospel of Luke?
2. What question about the life of Christ would you like answered by a study of this Gospel?
3. *What difference would you like there to be in your relationship with Christ as a result of reading Luke?
The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold—Luke 1:5–25
Topics: Age, Angels, Answers, Children, Consistency, Family, Greatness, Impossible, Miracles, Parents, Patience, Prayer, Promises, Purpose, Surprises, Value
Open It
1. What significant events happened the year you were born?
2. *What experiences of complete surprise have you recently had?
3. At this point in your life, what do you consider your most important responsibilities?
Explore It
1. Who were Zechariah and Elizabeth? (1:5–7)
2. What characteristics did Zechariah and Elizabeth have in common? (1:5–7)
3. How well did Zechariah and Elizabeth handle the frustration of childlessness? (1:6, 13, 25)
4. How were Zechariah and Elizabeth “upright in the sight of God”? (1:6)
5. For what duty was Zechariah chosen by lot? (1:8–10)
6. *What experience gripped Zechariah with fear? (1:11–12)
7. What facts can we note about angels from the information in this passage? (1:11–12, 19)
8. What promises did Gabriel make concerning the child who would be born to this elderly couple? (1:13–17)
9. What instructions did Gabriel give Zechariah about his and Elizabeth’s role as parents? (1:14–16)
10. How did Gabriel describe the main purpose of John’s life? (1:16–17)
11. What conclusions can we draw about Zechariah from his answer to the angel’s announcement? (1:18)
12. *Why was Zechariah rendered unable to speak until the day of the prophecy’s fulfillment? (1:19–20)
13. *How did Elizabeth react to Zechariah’s news? (1:25)
14. How many miracles are referred to in this passage? (1:9, 11, 20, 24)
Get It
1. What can we learn from Zechariah and Elizabeth that would help us handle long-term disappointments?
2. *How did God demonstrate in the lives of these two people that He is sovereign?
3. Why were Zechariah and Elizabeth entrusted with the knowledge of God’s purpose for the life of their son?
4. *When have you doubted the reality of God’s wonderful provision for you?
5. What do you think Zechariah or Elizabeth felt during those extraordinary days?
6. What could God do in a person’s life today that would have as big an impact as the angel’s visit to Zechariah?
7. In what way is the birth of a child a sign of God’s blessing?
8. In what ways does God want to use us today?
9. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being low, 10 being high), how would you rate your level of expectation that God could do something amazing through your life?
Apply It
1. *What long-term frustration can you identify in your life that needs to be entrusted to God?
2. How can you strengthen your realization that God is in control of the events of your life?
The Birth of Jesus Foretold—Luke 1:26–38
Topics: Angels, Attitude, Faith, Greatness, Holy Spirit, Honor, Humility, Impossible, Jesus Christ, Miracles, Obedience, Serving, Trust
Open It
1. When was an occasion that you received an unexpected honor?
2. *How do you tend to react when you receive unexpected good news?
Explore It
1. Who greeted Mary? Why? (1:26–28)
2. How did Mary learn of her role in Jesus’ birth? (1:26–28)
3. How did Mary feel when the angel appeared to her? (1:29–30)
4. *How did Gabriel describe the child that would be born to Mary? (1:31–33)
5. What title would Jesus have? (1:32)
6. What Old Testament personalities were part of Jesus’ royal line? (1:32–33)
7. Why wasn’t Mary struck dumb by the angel as Zechariah was? (1:34)
8. *How did Mary’s response to the angel differ from Zechariah’s? (1:34, 38)
9. Why did Gabriel mention Elizabeth’s pregnancy to Mary? (1:36–37)
10. What kind of attitude was apparent in Mary’s response to the angel’s visit? (1:38)
11. *What did Mary’s final statement to Gabriel show about her relationship with God? (1:38)
Get It
1. *What do Mary’s responses to Gabriel tell us about the kind of people through whom God works?
2. In what different ways do people respond to the story of Christ’s birth?
3. What difference does it make whether or not a person believes that the child born to Mary was really the Son of God?
4. *How has the fact that “with God, nothing is impossible” taken root in your life?
5. In what ways would you say Mary’s responses to Gabriel summarize what our relationship with God ought to be like?
Apply It
1. *What “impossibilities” in your life do you want to thank God for this week?
2. What can you do to maintain a servant’s attitude as you live from day to day?
3. In what ways can you develop the kind of humble spirit that Mary had?
Mary Visits Elizabeth—Luke 1:39–45
Topics: Advice, Affirmation, Age, Appreciation, Blessing, Children, Culture, Encouragement, Holy Spirit, Honor, Joy, Maturity, Relationships, Respect, Wisdom
Open It
1. What was the first trip you can remember taking by yourself?
2. *What relative do you look forward to visiting the most?
3. What benefits have you derived from personal relationships with older people?
Explore It
1. To where did Mary hurry? (1:39)
2. *What two remarkable things happened as soon as Mary called her greeting to Elizabeth? (1:41)
3. What was the significance of the baby leaping at the sound of Mary’s voice? (1:41, 44)
4. How did Elizabeth respond to the baby’s leaping inside her? (1:42–45)
5. In what way was Mary blessed? (1:42)
6. *Why did Elizabeth describe herself as “favored”? (1:43)
7. In what significant way did Elizabeth address Mary? (1:43)
8. Why did Elizabeth’s baby leap in her womb? (1:44)
9. *Who was blessed? (1:45)
10. What general spiritual principle did Elizabeth express? (1:45)
Get It
1. In what ways could we describe both Mary and Elizabeth as “blessed” women?
2. How did Elizabeth indicate that she knew what her and Mary’s pregnancies meant?
3. How would you describe the mood in Zechariah’s home during the time Mary visited?
4. *Judging from Elizabeth’s experience, what is it like to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
5. How does it feel to be genuinely complimented by someone older than you?
6. *What significance do you think it had for Mary that Elizabeth knew the importance of Mary’s baby?
Apply It
1. *What older Christian could you contact or visit this week to express appreciation for the help he or she has been to you?
2. For what work of God do you want to celebrate or praise Him?
Mary’s Song—Luke 1:46–56
Topics: Appreciation, Assurance, Attitude, Awe, Benefits, Blessing, Confidence, Devotion, Enthusiasm, Faith, God, Humility, Joy, Justice, Mercy, Poor, Praise, Promises, Reliability, Sovereignty, Worship
Open It
1. What songs are you most likely to be caught singing in the shower?
2. Which church hymns are your favorites? Why?
3. *If you had the skill and opportunity, how would you tell the world about a life-changing experience: write a poem, sing a song, publish a novel, or make a movie? Why?
Explore It
1. What were the two parts of Mary’s song? (1:46–55)
2. *What attributes of God are extolled in the first part of Mary’s song? (1:46–49)
3. What different titles for God did Mary mention in her song? (1:46–47, 49)
4. What specific actions did Mary say God had done for her? (1:46–49)
5. *How did Mary describe herself in her song? (1:47–48)
6. What reasons did Mary give for believing that all generations would call her “blessed”? (1:48)
7. What characteristics of God did Mary sing about in the second part of her hymn? (1:50–56)
8. *According to Mary’s song, what kinds of people are given special treatment by God? (1:50–55)
9. What happens to people who fear God? (1:50)
10. What happens to the proud? (1:51)
11. To whom was God merciful? (1:54–55)
Get It
1. *What words best describe Mary’s attitude?
2. *What reasons can we give for calling Mary a woman blessed by God?
3. What evidence do we have today that God is still keeping His promises?
4. How can we illustrate God’s “bringing down rulers and lifting up the humble” today?
5. What different methods have you used to tell others your experiences with God?
6. What actions of God which Mary mentioned have you observed or experienced?
7. How does God show mercy to us today?
Apply It
1. *In what way can you glorify the Lord and rejoice in your Savior this week?
2. What person close to you still needs to hear you express your faith?
The Birth of John the Baptist—Luke 1:57–66
Topics: Answers, Appreciation, Awe, Celebration, Children, Choices, Culture, Curiosity, Delay, Desires, Expectations, Family, Joy, Obedience, Parents, Persistence, Promises, Silence, Traditions
Open It
1. *What is the significance, meaning, or story behind your name?
2. How do parents often choose names for their children?
3. If you lost your speech for a year, what would be your first words when you were finally able to talk again?
Explore It
1. What two groups celebrated the birth of Zechariah and Elizabeth’s baby? (1:58)
2. Why did the relatives and neighbors think that God had shown Elizabeth great mercy? (1:58)
3. When did Elizabeth’s relatives come to visit her child? Why? (1:59)
4. *What was the relatives’ response when Elizabeth told them the child wouldn’t be called Zechariah? (1:61)
5. Why did the relatives have to make signs to Zechariah about what he wanted to call the child? (1:62)
6. *Why was Zechariah’s voice restored? (1:63–64)
7. *How did Zechariah react when his voice was restored? (1:64)
8. What was the effect of all these events on the people in the region in which Zechariah and Elizabeth lived? (1:65–66)
9. What was special about Elizabeth’s child? (1:66)
10. What was the question on everybody’s lips who heard about the birth of John? (1:66)
Get It
1. In what ways do Zechariah and Elizabeth serve as models to us?
2. In what ways should we hold to the course God determines for us over the counsel of friends or relatives?
3. *How significant is it for us to celebrate with others?
4. *How do you tend to react when someone you know has cause to celebrate?
5. In what ways has God’s favor on you caused people to talk?
6. What qualities of Zechariah do you want to build in your own life?
Apply It
1. *With what person can you celebrate a happy or joyous event this week? How?
2. What can you do to remind yourself that the Lord’s hand is with you each day?
Zechariah’s Song—Luke 1:67–80
Topics: Appreciation, Benefits, Covenant, Expectations, Heritage, History, Mercy, Messiah, Mission, Praise, Promises, Prophecy, Salvation, Tasks
Open It
1. What is it like to be around someone whose first child has just been born?
2. *What are the most important things parents ought to tell their children while they are growing up?
3. What compliment will you never forget?
Explore It
1. What are the parts of Zechariah’s song? (1:68–79)
2. Who is described in the first part of Zechariah’s song? (1:68–75)
3. Who is the subject of the second part of Zechariah’s song? (1:76–79)
4. Who was the source of inspiration for Zechariah’s song? (1:67)
5. How does Zechariah speak about God in his song? (1:68–75)
6. *For whom and from what was the salvation that Zechariah described? (1:69–71, 77)
7. How did Zechariah describe the “covenant” with God? (1:72)
8. What two results did Zechariah say were guaranteed by God’s oath? (1:74)
9. *What title did Zechariah say would be given to his son? (1:76)
10. *For whom was John supposed to prepare a way? How? (1:76)
11. How did Zechariah predict his son’s purpose in life? (1:76–77)
12. What basic facts did Luke include about John’s childhood? (1:80)
Get It
1. What are the themes in Zechariah’s song?
2. What does it mean to be strong in spirit?
3. In what way do we need to have the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of our sins?
4. *How important is it for children to hear from their parents what God’s place ought to be in their lives?
5. *What can parents learn from Zechariah about passing on faith to their children?
6. How might you describe God’s ongoing work in the world today?
Apply It
1. *What idea from Zechariah’s song would you most like to communicate to your family this week?
2. What would it take for you to be more like Zechariah in your faithfulness to God?
The Birth of Jesus—Luke 2:1–7
Topics: Celebration, Children, Circumstances, Citizenship, Government, History, Jesus Christ, Parents, Prophecy, Schedule, Simplicity, Timing
Open It
1. What feelings do you get when you have to fill out income tax forms?
2. What nationalities or cultures make up the ancestry of your family?
3. *When you think about uncomfortable travel, what personal experiences do you recall?
Explore It
1. Who decreed that a census be taken of the entire Roman world? (2:1)
2. What historical facts did Luke provide that allow us to approximate the date of Christ’s birth? (2:1–2)
3. What did the Roman census require of everyone? (2:3)
4. *What was the purpose of Joseph and Mary’s trip to Bethlehem? (2:1–4)
5. What reason did Luke give for Joseph having to travel to Bethlehem for the census? (2:4)
6. What did Luke say about Bethlehem which indicates it was a famous place? (2:4)
7. What was Joseph and Mary’s marital status at the time of Jesus’ birth? (2:5)
8. *Why was travel especially difficult for Mary? (2:5)
9. What details about the birth of Jesus do we know or can we infer from Luke’s description? (2:5–7)
10. *What were the conditions in Bethlehem the night Jesus was born? (2:7)
Get It
1. How well have Christmas carols captured the significance of the birth Luke described?
2. *How are people like the town of Bethlehem on the night of Christ’s birth?
3. What can we learn about responding to unexpected difficulties from the examples of Mary and Joseph?
4. *In what ways did God manage the events of history to get Joseph and Mary where He wanted them at the appropriate time?
5. In what way was Christ’s birth a simple event?
6. How do you celebrate Christ’s birth?
Apply It
1. In what ways can you praise God this week for Jesus’ arrival into the world?
2. What is one aspect of Christmas that you want to emphasize more next Christmas?
3. *How can you honor Jesus with your Christmas celebrations?
The Shepherds and the Angels—Luke 2:8–20
Topics: Actions, Ambassadors, Angels, Awe, Follow-through, Good News, Instructions, Messiah, Obedience, Praise, Witnessing
Open It
1. *What is the most unique birth announcement you’ve ever seen?
2. What do you imagine angels look like?
3. If you could sleep out under the stars anywhere in the world, where would you put down your pillow?
Explore It
1. At what time and place did the angels appear to the shepherds? (2:8)
2. How many angels did the shepherds see at first? (2:9)
3. How did the shepherds react when they saw the angel? (2:9)
4. To whom did the angel address his good news? (2:10)
5. *What message did the angel tell the shepherds? (2:10, 12)
6. Who did the angel say the newborn child really was? (2:11)
7. *By what symbol or sign were the shepherds supposed to identify the Christ child? (2:12)
8. How many angels did the shepherds hear praising God? (2:13)
9. *What was the immediate reaction of the shepherds after the angels left? (2:15)
10. After finding the Christ child, what did the shepherds do? (2:17–20)
11. What kind of reactions did the shepherds get when they told others what had happened that night? (2:18)
12. How did Mary respond to the shepherds’ visit? (2:19)
Get It
1. If you had been with the shepherds on the night Christ was born, what would you have done after the angels left?
2. In what ways did the shepherds obey God that night?
3. *What should be our response when we discover what God wants us to do?
4. What does it mean that Mary “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart”?
5. Of what significance is it that the shepherds went back to their flocks?
6. *What is the responsibility of those who “discover” the good news about Jesus?
7. Who needs to be told about the birth and life of Christ?
Apply It
1. In what ways can you renew your enthusiasm for the message of Jesus’ birth?
2. *How can you glorify and praise God with other Christians this week?
Jesus Presented in the Temple—Luke 2:21–40
Topics: Actions, Affirmation, Age, Celebration, Devotion, Expectations, Faithfulness, Holy Spirit, Praise, Prophecy, Wisdom
Open It
1. *What ceremony, ritual, or tradition in your church do you enjoy the most?
2. Who is one of your most interesting elderly friends?
3. What wisdom have you gained from your grandparents or elderly relatives?
Explore It
1. *Why did Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the temple? When? (2:22–23)
2. How old was Jesus the first time Mary and Joseph took Him to the temple? (2:22–23)
3. Who was Simeon? (2:25–27)
4. How did Luke describe the man named Simeon? (2:25–32)
5. What did Simeon do with the Christ child? (2:28–32)
6. *What special significance did Christ’s arrival have for Simeon? (2:26–29)
7. How did Simeon’s prophecy point out that Christ would be the Savior for the world? (2:32)
8. What did Joseph and Mary do after they heard what Simeon had to say? (2:33)
9. To whom did Simeon address his second statement about Jesus? (2:34–35)
10. What did Simeon say to Mary? (2:34–35)
11. Who was Anna? (2:36–38)
12. How did Luke describe the woman named Anna? (2:36–38)
13. *What was Anna’s response to finding Mary, Joseph, and the Christ child in the temple? (2:38)
14. What were Jesus’ childhood years like? (2:40)
15. How did Luke summarize Jesus’ childhood years? (2:40)
16. What character qualities were apparent in Jesus during His childhood? (2:40)
Get It
1. *In what ways can we see God working behind the scenes in the events of Christ’s childhood?
2. What of Simeon’s prophecy is still true today?
3. What did Simeon’s warning to Mary mean?
4. *In what ways are Simeon and Anna examples to us?
5. Using Christ’s childhood as an example, what character qualities should parents seek to develop in their children?
6. In what different ways did Anna and Simeon each receive the Christ child?
7. What roles can other Christians have in our life of faith?
8. How important is it to introduce our children to faith in God as early and consistently as possible?
9. If you could step back in time and stand next to Simeon, what would you want to say about the Christ child?
Apply It
1. *How could you express your thanks to God this week for becoming a human being to provide a way of salvation?
2. What action could you take this week to show your desire to be faithful to God?
The Boy Jesus at the Temple—Luke 2:41–52
Topics: Children, Church, Example, Family, Growth, Habits, Learning, Maturity, Obedience, Parents, Questions, Training, Youth
Open It
1. *When have you accidentally left someone behind during a trip or activity?
2. If you had to get lost, would you rather it be in a city or a wilderness? Why?
3. What do you find most characteristic of young adolescents?
Explore It
1. Why did Jesus’ parents go to Jerusalem every year? (2:41)
2. *How did Jesus get left behind in Jerusalem? (2:43–44)
3. *Why did three days pass before Mary and Joseph found Jesus? (2:46)
4. What was Jesus doing during the three days that He was on His own? (2:46)
5. What were the effects of Jesus’ questions and answers on the teachers in Jerusalem? (2:46–47)
6. *How did Mary respond when she and Joseph finally found Jesus? (2:48)
7. What was Jesus’ response to His parents’ frantic arrival? (2:49)
8. How did Jesus answer His parents’ concern for Him? (2:49)
9. After replying to His parents, what did Jesus do? (2:51)
10. What do we learn about Mary through this incident? (2:41, 48, 50–51)
11. What happened to Jesus as He grew? (2:52)
Get It
1. What would you have wanted to ask Jesus had you been around during those three days in the temple?
2. *What kind of pattern or model were Mary and Joseph setting for Jesus by their family traditions?
3. How often do children carry on the habits and beliefs that really are significant to their parents?
4. What happens when parents try to pass on to their children beliefs or habits which they do not have themselves?
5. *How does this story illustrate the tension Jesus may have felt between obedience to His Father and obedience to His earthly parents?
6. In what way should we strive to grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and others?
7. How did Jesus demonstrate His uniqueness as the Son of God?
Apply It
1. *Of the four ways in which Jesus grew (in wisdom, in stature, in favor with God, in favor with man), which one needs the most work in your life?
2. What difference might it make to you this week if you prepared for church as if it were a visit to your Father’s house?
John the Baptist Prepares the Way—Luke 3:1–20
Topics: Accountability, Actions, Appearance, Authority, Choices, Curiosity, Employment, Humility, Obedience, Repentance, Serving, Work
Open It
1. When have you participated in a meaningful outdoor worship service?
2. If you could make a certain style of clothes or hair popular again, which would it be?
3. *What well-known public person would you most readily describe as a great speaker?
Explore It
1. What different rulers did Luke mention in giving a historical setting to John the Baptist’s ministry? (3:1–2)
2. *What was John’s basic message? (3:3)
3. Where did John the Baptist carry out his ministry? (3:3)
4. What Old Testament prophecy was fulfilled by John the Baptist? (3:4)
5. How sensitive was John’s welcome of the crowds who came to hear him? (3:7–8)
6. What responses did John expect from his listeners? Why? (3:8–9)
7. *What attitude did John warn the people not to have? Why? (3:8–9)
8. How did people react to John’s message? (3:10)
9. What advice did John give those in the crowd who wanted to respond to his message? (3:11)
10. What practical examples of repentance did John use to help people who asked for direction? (3:11–14)
11. In what way was John becoming famous? (3:15)
12. *What title were the people beginning to give John? (3:15)
13. What was John’s response to those who thought he might be the Messiah? (3:16)
14. How did John explain his phrase, “Produce fruit in keeping with righteousness”? (3:8, 11–14)
15. How did John describe Jesus? (3:16–18)
16. What finally got John thrown into prison? (3:19–20)
Get It
1. What is repentance?
2. When John explained repentance to people, how did it relate to the work they did in life?
3. *When we are confronted with a call to repent, why do we tend to accept or reject the invitation strongly?
4. What connection is there between repentance and forgiveness?
5. In what ways could John the Baptist’s directions to his listeners help someone today who reaches the point of repentance?
6. How did John apply the principle that while God is at work changing people, He often does not change their work or their place in life?
7. *In what ways does John’s life teach us about humility?
8. How should your relationship with God make your work habits differ from those around you?
Apply It
1. *In what areas of your life do you need to show the fruits of repentance this week?
2. At work this week, what action can you take because of agreement with God’s priorities?
The Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus—Luke 3:21–38
Topics: Affirmation, Call, God, Holy Spirit, Life, Ministry, Prayer, Submission
Open It
1. From what period of history would you most like to meet one of your ancestors?
2. What mental image comes to mind when you hear the word “baptism”?
3. *Of all the things a person could hear God say to them, what would be one of the most meaningful?
Explore It
1. Who baptized Jesus? (3:21)
2. *How were Jesus, the dove, and the voice all related in Jesus’ baptism? (3:21–22)
3. To whom did the voice from heaven speak during Jesus’ baptism? (3:22)
4. *What did the voice from heaven actually say about Jesus? (3:22)
5. *What was Jesus doing when the Holy Spirit descended on Him? (3:22)
6. When did Jesus start His ministry? (3:23)
7. How old was Jesus when He started His ministry? (3:23)
8. Whose ancestors did Luke list? Why? (3:23)
9. In what way could Joseph’s ancestors be called Jesus’ genealogy, even though Joseph was not Jesus’ father? (3:23)
10. Which of the names in the genealogy are the most famous? (3:23–38)
11. How far back in time did Luke trace the genealogy of Jesus? (3:23–38)
Get It
1. What about Luke’s description of Jesus’ baptism leads us to think of God in terms of three persons—the Trinity?
2. Since Jesus was sinless, what made His baptism necessary?
3. How does Jesus’ baptism demonstrate His willingness to identify with our human condition?
4. What does it mean that God publicly claimed Jesus as His Son?
5. *In what ways were the events during Jesus’ baptism a commissioning ceremony for Him?
6. *What does it mean for someone to call his or her way of life a ministry?
7. How are repentance, baptism, forgiveness, prayer, the Holy Spirit’s presence, and God’s blessing all important in the life of a Christian?
Apply It
1. *In what kinds of ways can you be a minister of God to others this week?
2. To whom can you express support for his or her public ministry this week?
The Temptation of Jesus—Luke 4:1–13
Topics: Alone, Answers, Application, Bible, Character, Choices, Convictions, Desires, Evil, Isolation, Jesus Christ, Power, Satan, Suffering, Temptation, Testing, Worship
Open It
1. *In what ways have you experienced being very hungry or thirsty?
2. If you were stranded with only one canteen of water in the desert, in the jungle, or on a deserted island, what would you do? Why?
3. Why do people laugh when they hear someone say, “I can resist anything except temptation”?
Explore It
1. How did Jesus end up alone in the desert? (4:1)
2. For how long was Jesus tempted by the devil? (4:2)
3. *After forty days of fasting and facing temptations, how did Jesus feel? (4:2)
4. How did the devil challenge Jesus to prove He was the Son of God? (4:3, 9–10)
5. *How did Jesus reply when the devil urged Him to turn a stone into bread? (4:4)
6. *Where did Jesus get the answers He gave the devil? (4:4, 8, 12)
7. For his second temptation where did the devil take Jesus and what did he show Him? (4:5)
8. By what right did the devil claim to be able to offer Jesus the kingdoms of the world? (4:6)
9. What did the devil offer Jesus in exchange for His worship? (4:6–7)
10. What was Jesus’ reply to the devil’s offer of power and authority? (4:8)
11. Where did the devil take Jesus in Jerusalem? (4:9)
12. What did the devil dare Jesus to prove by jumping off the temple roof? (4:9–11)
13. Why wasn’t the devil successful in enticing Jesus to jump off the temple? (4:12)
14. What did the devil do after Jesus’ third resistance to his temptations? (4:13)
Get It
1. How did Jesus and the devil use the Bible differently?
2. In what areas of life can we expect to be tempted?
3. *What physical needs or desires make us vulnerable to temptation?
4. How might we be tempted to worship the devil in exchange for power or position?
5. In what situations are you sometimes tempted to put the Lord to the test?
6. What did Jesus use repeatedly in resisting the devil’s temptations?
7. How did Jesus resist temptation?
8. *How can a person become skillful at using the Bible as Jesus did?
9. Since the Bible can be misused, how can we learn to use the Bible the right way?
10. What did Jesus prove in the way he resisted the devil’s temptations?
11. What is the difference between testing God and claiming His promises?
Apply It
1. *How can you prepare for tempting situations at work?
2. What frequent temptation can you fight this week by memorizing Scripture?
3. What passage of Scripture would be most helpful to memorize this week?
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth—Luke 4:14–30
Topics: Acceptance, Achievements, Anger, Bible, Church, Example, Expectations, Hardheartedness, Home, Miracles, Opposition, People, Prophecy, Rejection, Shame, Truth, Worship
Open It
1. *What are some of the best things that happen when a person comes back home after being away at school or in the service?
2. What special place in you life do you dream about visiting again?
3. What does the old saying mean, “You can never go home again”?
Explore It
1. What was Jesus’ reputation at this point in His life? (4:14–15)
2. Where was Jesus teaching? (4:15)
3. *What was Jesus’ hometown? (4:16)
4. What did Jesus customarily do on the Sabbath? (4:16)
5. What happened once Jesus entered the synagogue? (4:16–30)
6. What did Jesus do when He was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah? (4:17–20)
7. How familiar was Jesus with Isaiah’s words? (4:17–20)
8. What five activities show that the Spirit of the Lord is on a person? (4:18–19)
9. *How did the audience respond to Jesus’ reading? (4:20)
10. How did Jesus apply the passage He read from Isaiah? (4:21)
11. What difficulty were the people having in accepting Jesus’ words? (4:22)
12. *What were the main points of Jesus’ words to the people in His hometown? (4:23–27)
13. Why were the people angry with what Jesus said? (4:23–29)
14. How did the people express their anger at Jesus’ message? (4:28–30)
Get It
1. How did Jesus’ experience in His hometown illustrate the fickleness of a crowd?
2. In what different ways can we see the Spirit of God on Jesus throughout these events?
3. How did Jesus demonstrate the importance of worship?
4. During this incident, in what ways did Jesus demonstrate the importance of knowing the Scriptures?
5. *What kind of reception should we expect when we speak the truth?
6. How did Jesus’ message illustrate the fact that God does not favor one culture over another?
7. What did Jesus know firsthand about rejection?
8. *To what extent will people go to avoid hearing the truth about themselves?
9. Why do we sometimes try to avoid facing the truth about ourselves?
Apply It
1. *In what way could you renew your commitment to worship with other Christians?
2. How could you improve your present habit of Bible reading?
Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit—Luke 4:31–37
Topics: Authority, Awe, Demons, Evil, Healing, Miracles, Power, Restoration, Teaching
Open It
1. In your own experience, exactly how fast does news travel?
2. *What is your most compelling personal reason for believing in the existence of evil?
3. What teachers have you known or heard whose speaking style made an unforgettable impression on you?
Explore It
1. Where was Capernaum? (4:31)
2. What was Jesus doing in the synagogue? (4:31)
3. Why were people amazed at Jesus? (4:32)
4. *In what setting did Jesus drive out the demon from the man in Capernaum? (4:33)
5. How did the demon-possessed man react to Jesus’ presence? (4:33–34)
6. With what expressions did the demon-possessed man identify Jesus? (4:34)
7. *How did Jesus respond to the evil spirit’s presence? (4:35)
8. To whom did Jesus speak when the man cried out against him? (4:35)
9. What happened to the man who was demon-possessed? (4:35)
10. *How was Jesus’ reputation affected by the healing of the demon-possessed man? (4:36)
11. How did Jesus demonstrate the power of His teaching and actions? (4:32, 35–36)
Get It
1. *What does it mean for a message to have authority?
2. What did Jesus usually do when He arrived in a new town?
3. How important is it that Jesus regularly taught in the synagogues everywhere He went?
4. What significance is there in the fact that an evil spirit was able to pick Jesus out of a crowd as someone to be feared?
5. *What does this incident tell us about good and evil?
6. What comfort or confidence can we gain from Jesus’ power to expel the evil spirit from the man?
7. What is Jesus’ attitude toward evil?
8. How would you describe your present confidence in the power of God?
Apply It
1. *What area of worldly or evil influence in your life needs to experience the power of Jesus more directly?
2. In what way can you meet with Christ personally this week?
Jesus Heals Many—Luke 4:38–44
Topics: Actions, Compassion, Demons, Healing, Kingdom of God/Heaven, Miracles, People, Purpose, Sickness, Solitude, Teaching
Open It
1. *What is the most ill you have ever been?
2. When have you found yourself overwhelmed with the needs of a person or group of people?
Explore It
1. Why did Jesus heal Simon’s mother-in-law? (4:38)
2. What problem was Simon’s mother-in-law experiencing? (4:38)
3. Whom did Jesus meet in Simon’s home and what did he do for her? (4:38–39)
4. *How did Jesus heal Simon’s mother-in-law’s fever? (4:39)
5. How did Luke describe the evening of this particular day? (4:40–41)
6. *What kinds of healing did Jesus perform that day? (4:40–41)
7. What did the demons shout about Jesus as they were expelled? (4:41)
8. *Beside exorcising them, how did Jesus treat the demons? (4:41)
9. How did Jesus begin the next day? (4:42)
10. When the crowd found Jesus the next day, what did they try to convince Him to do? (4:42)
11. How did Jesus respond to the people’s wish that He stay in Capernaum? (4:43)
12. What did Jesus say was His mission? (4:43)
13. What did Jesus say He was trying to communicate to people? (4:43)
Get It
1. *In what ways did Jesus demonstrate compassion in the way He treated people?
2. *What did Jesus accomplish by healing so many people?
3. What experiences have you had with the unexpected healing of people in response to prayer?
4. How did Jesus balance the constant exposure to the needs of others in his life?
5. What is the benefit of solitude?
6. How important is it to have regular times of solitude?
7. What can a person accomplish in solitude that can’t be accomplished with other people around?
8. What kind of demands did people place on Jesus?
9. What kind of demands do people place on you?
10. How did Jesus present Himself as someone worth following?
Apply It
1. *In what ways can you thank God this week for healing your life or the life of someone you know?
2. When can you take time for solitude this week?
The Calling of the First Disciples—Luke 5:1–11
Topics: Awe, Call, Commitment, Decisions, Evangelism, Failure, Faithfulness, Ministry, Miracles, Mission, Obedience, Persistence, Submission, Surprises, Tasks, Timing, Trust, Witnessing
Open It
1. What is your favorite “fish story”?
2. What qualities does your favorite leader possess?
3. *When have you participated in a project at which everyone worked very hard, only to experience failure?
Explore It
1. In what setting did Jesus find Himself? (5:1)
2. Why were the people crowding around Jesus? (5:1)
3. What were the owners of the boats doing nearby? (5:2)
4. What did Jesus use to create a little space between Himself and the crowd? (5:2–3)
5. Whose boat did Jesus choose for His podium? (5:3)
6. What did Jesus suggest to Simon following His message? (5:4)
7. *How did Simon reply to Jesus’ instructions to cast their nets again? (5:4–5)
8. What happened when Simon lowered his nets into the water? (5:6)
9. When Simon saw their nets were tearing from the weight of fish in them, what did he do? (5:7)
10. *How did Simon react when he realized Jesus had just done a miracle for them? (5:8–9)
11. Who were Simon’s partners? (5:10)
12. *How did Jesus speak to the men’s fears? (5:10)
13. How did Simon and the others respond to Jesus’ invitation? (5:11)
Get It
1. *How did Jesus test Simon?
2. In what way did Jesus test Simon’s faith?
3. What does God expect us to do when obeying Him does not yield any immediate benefit?
4. In what way is Simon’s reaction to Jesus’ miracle an example for us to follow?
5. *What do we have to “leave behind” in order to follow Christ today?
6. How does a person go about being a fisher of men?
Apply It
1. *What areas in your own life can you identify as places where God is requiring long-term obedience from you, in spite of failures?
2. What do you need to leave behind today in following Christ?
The Man With Leprosy—Luke 5:12–16
Topics: Acceptance, Actions, Alone, Attitude, Believe, Compassion, Expectations, Mercy, Needs, Prayer, Restoration, Sacrifice, Sickness, Solitude, Thankfulness
Open It
1. If you could see one obvious miracle performed before your eyes, what would you want to see?
2. *When was a time you were treated as an outcast or reject by other kids when you were growing up?
3. When have you helped someone that no one else was willing to help?
Explore It
1. *What did the leprous man do when he saw Jesus? (5:12)
2. How did the man present his request for help to Jesus? (5:12)
3. *In what way did the man’s words to Jesus show belief in Christ? (5:12)
4. What did Jesus say to the sick man? (5:13)
5. *How did Jesus treat the sick man? (5:13)
6. Did Jesus respond to the man’s request? (5:13)
7. What was the result of Jesus’ first words to the man? (5:13)
8. What were Jesus’ orders to the man after he had been healed? (5:14)
9. To whom was the healed man supposed to show himself? Why? (5:14)
10. Why was the man to report to the priest? (5:14)
11. Besides showing the priest that he was healed, what else did Jesus tell the man to do? (5:14)
12. In spite of Jesus’ request that the man not tell anyone, what resulted from this healing? (5:15)
13. What was Jesus’ response to His popularity? (5:16)
Get It
1. How did the sick man regard Jesus?
2. In what ways do the words and actions of the sick man provide a pattern for the way we ought to approach Christ with our needs?
3. *Being affected with a disease that made him an outcast, what must it have been like for the man to have been touched by Jesus?
4. What are some of the ways in which Jesus still manages to touch people who are sick and in need today?
5. *How important is it for us to imitate the private life of Jesus?
6. How well do your present prayer habits match the man’s willingness to approach Jesus?
Apply It
1. *What person or people in your life could most benefit from a caring touch from you in Christ’s name?
2. What times in the next week can you set aside to listen to God and tell Him your needs?
Jesus Heals a Paralytic—Luke 5:17–26
Topics: Authority, Barriers, Believers, Commitment, Determination, Effort, Faith, Forgiveness, Healing, Mercy, Miracles, Sickness, Teamwork, Thinking
Open It
1. When was a time you went out of your way to help a friend?
2. In what ways have you seen that “a friend in need is a friend indeed”?
3. *Whom would you describe as having a great deal of faith in God?
Explore It
1. How did Luke describe the crowd that was listening to Jesus? (5:17)
2. Who came to see Jesus, and why did they come? (5:18)
3. Why were the men initially unable to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus? (5:19)
4. *What did the team of men do when they could not find a way through the crowded house? (5:19)
5. What did Jesus acknowledge as the paralytic man was lowered through the roof? (5:20)
6. What were Jesus’ first words to the paralytic man? (5:20)
7. Why did the Pharisees and teachers think that Jesus’ words to the paralytic man were blasphemous? (5:21)
8. *What did Jesus show by responding to what the Pharisees were thinking? (5:22)
9. What challenging question did Jesus pose to the Pharisees? (5:23)
10. How did Jesus answer His own question? (5:24)
11. What did Jesus prove by healing the paralytic man? (5:24)
12. *How did the paralytic man respond to Jesus’ invitation to “get up, take your mat and go home”? (5:25)
13. What was the response of the crowd to what happened that day? (5:26)
Get It
1. *In what ways did the paralytic and his friends demonstrate faith in Christ?
2. Why is it easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven” than to say to a paralyzed person, “You are healed”?
3. In what ways is sin a paralysis?
4. *How is forgiveness a kind of healing?
5. From whom do we need forgiveness?
6. What was Jesus proving about Himself whenever He healed diseases and forgave sinners?
7. How does this incident illustrate the conditions under which forgiveness is given?
Apply It
1. *Who is one friend you could help by a gesture of faith today?
2. At what time each day this week can you place the needs of your friends before Christ?
The Calling of Levi—Luke 5:27–32
Topics: Acceptance, Actions, Call, Change, Decisions, Follow, Invitation, Mission, Repentance, Reputation, Unbelievers
Open It
1. How do you feel about the Internal Revenue Service?
2. *What jobs do you think present the greatest temptation to do wrong? Why?
3. What is the most important consideration in finding and enjoying a career?
Explore It
1. *What was Levi’s profession? (5:27)
2. What did Jesus say to Levi? (5:27)
3. *What actions did Levi take upon hearing Jesus’ invitation to follow Him? (5:28)
4. What did Levi leave behind when he followed Jesus? (5:28)
5. *What was Levi’s first action as a new follower of Jesus? (5:29)
6. Whom did Levi invite to his “new career party”? (5:29)
7. In accepting Levi’s hospitality, what was Jesus accused of doing? (5:30)
8. What groups made a point of condemning Christ’s choice of companions? (5:30)
9. How did the Pharisees and others express their disapproval of Jesus’ presence at Levi’s banquet? (5:30)
10. What was the point of the Pharisees’ question to Jesus’ disciples? (5:30)
11. To what occupation did Jesus liken His ministry? (5:31)
12. Why did Jesus come? (5:32)
13. What reason did Jesus give for His coming? (5:32)
Get It
1. What did Jesus mean by saying that He came to call sinners to repentance and not to call the righteous?
2. *What reasons could Jesus have had for calling Levi, a deserter to the Roman government, to follow Him?
3. Why do you think Levi followed Jesus without knowing much about Him?
4. How can we follow Christ today?
5. *What do people find most difficult to leave behind when they follow Jesus?
6. Why was Jesus comfortable at a party attended almost entirely by people whom others had rejected?
7. Who are “the righteous” that don’t need Jesus?
Apply It
1. *How can you reach out in the days ahead to one person whom others neglect or ignore?
2. What can you do to follow Christ’s example more consciously this week?
Jesus Questioned About Fasting—Luke 5:33–39
Topics: Actions, Change, Criticism, Differences, Fasting, Habits, Legalism, Peer Pressure, Religion, Rules, Traditions
Open It
1. What person do you know who is not receptive to new ideas or ways of doing things?
2. *In what areas of your life do you often resist change?
3. What is one memorable wedding celebration you recall?
Explore It
1. Who asked Jesus about fasting? (5:33)
2. With what other groups were Jesus’ disciples compared? By whom? (5:33)
3. What were Jesus’ disciples failing to do, according to those questioning Jesus? (5:33)
4. How did Jesus identify Himself in His answer to the Pharisees? (5:34)
5. What did Jesus say would cause His disciples to fast? (5:34)
6. What was the point of Jesus’ illustration about new and old garments? (5:36)
7. What happens when a patch meant for an old garment is taken from a new garment? (5:36)
8. *How did Jesus’ two illustrations address the challenge that had been put Jesus? (5:36–39)
9. *Which did Jesus say was better, the old or the new? (5:36–39)
10. What was the point of Jesus’ illustration about new and old wineskins? (5:37)
11. What happens when new wine is poured into old wineskins? (5:37–38)
12. *Why doesn’t someone want new wine after drinking old wine? (5:39)
Get It
1. What are some of the most common religious habits that people compare?
2. What kinds of dangers are created when people compare their religious customs and habits with those of other people?
3. *In what way does following Christ require us to replace old habits with new ones?
4. *Why do we resist the changes God asks of us?
5. How can a person decide when differences between groups are unimportant and when they are crucial?
Apply It
1. How can you show respect for the way other Christians honor God?
2. *What can you do this week to become more open to changing as God directs?
Lord of the Sabbath—Luke 6:1–11
Topics: Accusation, Church, Compassion, Habits, Hardheartedness, Healing, Hypocrisy, Legalism, Needs, Traditions
Open It
1. What was Sunday like around your house when you were growing up?
2. *What is your idea of a truly restful day?
3. What does the word “Sabbath” mean to you?
Explore It
1. What were the disciples doing that irritated the Pharisees? (6:1–2)
2. *What were the disciples accused of doing when they picked the grain? (6:2)
3. How did Jesus respond to the Pharisees’ accusation? (6:3–5)
4. *What historical example did Jesus use to justify what His disciples were doing on the Sabbath? (6:3–5)
5. What claim did Jesus make about Himself? (6:5)
6. What did Jesus’ identity as Lord of the Sabbath have to do with the disciples eating grain on the Sabbath? (6:5)
7. In what setting did Jesus heal the man with a shriveled hand? (6:6–8)
8. Why were the teachers of the law watching Jesus closely? (6:7)
9. Why were the Pharisees and teachers angry at Jesus? (6:7, 11)
10. What difference did it make that Jesus was being watched? (6:7–10)
11. *How did Jesus heal the man’s hand? (6:9–10)
12. What did Jesus ask the crowd? (6:9–10) Why?
13. How did the Pharisees and teachers respond to the miracle Jesus did? (6:11)
Get It
1. How did Luke use these two Sabbath incidents to illustrate the tension that was growing between Jesus and the religious leaders?
2. What harmful “religious” tendencies was Jesus resisting by His actions and words during these incidents?
3. *Why did Jesus heal on the Sabbath?
4. In these incidents, whose actions were really “Sabbath-keeping”?
5. *Why is it important for us to take time off from work to rest?
6. *How well were the Pharisees honoring the Sabbath while they discussed plans to retaliate against Jesus?
7. When is it easiest to apply a spiritual discipline unthinkingly?
8. How can we guard against misapplying spiritual disciplines?
Apply It
1. *What could you do to make next Sunday a day of service to God?
2. What spiritual disciplines (such as fasting, prayer, Bible study, or church activities) should you reexamine this week?
The Twelve Apostles—Luke 6:12–16
Topics: Alone, Call, Choices, Decisions, Invitation, Prayer, Spiritual Disciplines
Open It
1. How competitive was your high school or college when it came to academics?
2. *In neighborhood or school games, when were you usually chosen?
Explore It
1. What did Jesus do before choosing the twelve apostles? (6:12)
2. How much time did Jesus spend in prayer before He chose His apostles? (6:12)
3. *What details did Luke give us about Jesus’ prayer vigil? (6:12)
4. *From what larger group did Jesus name His twelve apostles? (6:13)
5. For which apostles are we given more information than simply their names? (6:14–16)
6. How many apostles shared the same first names? (6:14–16)
7. *What personal facts can you recall about some of the apostles? (6:14–16)
8. What significance is there in the order of the apostles’ names? (6:14–16)
9. How many of the apostles had already been introduced by Luke earlier in his Gospel? (6:14–16)
10. What does the description of Judas Iscariot actually say about him? (6:16)
Get It
1. *What significance can be drawn from the fact that Jesus singled out some of His disciples to be apostles?
2. What is the difference between disciples and apostles?
3. *Why do you think Jesus prayed before choosing the apostles?
4. What purposes could Jesus have had in spending the night in prayer?
5. What kinds of decisions or events might cause someone to spend extended time in prayer?
6. What could spending extended time in prayer accomplish that could not be accomplished in a shorter time of prayer?
7. Why are extended times of prayer important?
Apply It
1. *What do you want to keep in mind from this passage to help you in making choices in the future?
2. When in the near future could you pray about God’s plan for your life?
Blessings and Woes—Luke 6:17–26
Topics: Basics of the Faith, Believers, Blessing, Challenge, Comparisons, Consequences, Encouragement, Future, Insults, Joy, Opposition, Persecution, Poor, Suffering, Wealth
Open It
1. *What is the largest crowd that you have ever been a part of?
2. What significant worship experiences have you had in a large group?
3. Who is your favorite public speaker?
Explore It
1. What different groups made up the crowd to which Jesus gave this sermon? (6:17)
2. *What effect did Jesus’ presence have on the crowd? (6:18–19)
3. *Why did the crowd gather? (6:18–19)
4. Besides Jesus’ message, what else was going on that day? (6:18–19)
5. To whom did Jesus specifically direct His message? (6:20)
6. What four groups did Jesus single out for receiving a blessing? (6:20–22)
7. How did the promised blessings vary to fit the character of each group? (6:20–22)
8. What blessings did Jesus promise then and which ones did He promise for the future? (6:20–23)
9. *What response to hardship did Jesus encourage His disciples to have? (6:23)
10. Who were the disciples to think of as examples during times of suffering? (6:23)
11. What times and places did Jesus give for the blessings He promised? (6:23)
12. What four groups did Jesus single out for woes? (6:24–26)
13. How did the woes vary to fit each group? (6:24–26)
Get It
1. *What contemporary groups resemble the ones Jesus spoke to in this sermon?
2. For what different reasons are people interested in Jesus Christ in our times?
3. To what conditions other than material poverty could Jesus have been referring when He said, “Blessed are you who are poor”?
4. *What effect do you think Jesus’ words had on the crowd?
5. If you had been a rich and famous person in Jesus’ day, how would you have reacted to His sermon?
6. In what specific areas of life do Jesus’ promised blessings and woes touch you?
7. In what way are these words of Jesus comforting?
8. In what way are these words of Jesus challenging?
Apply It
1. What is one way you can store up rewards in heaven this week?
2. In what way can you nurture the qualities that Jesus described as blessed?
3. *Whom can you encourage with Jesus’ words this week?
Love for Enemies—Luke 6:27–36
Topics: Actions, Blessing, Choices, Differences, Direction, Enemies, Forgiveness, Instructions, Insults, Love, Mercy, Opposition, Relationships, Revenge, Unfairness
Open It
1. Why do people often call revenge “sweet”?
2. If you took a public opinion poll on the meaning of the Golden Rule, what would you expect to hear?
3. *Who have been some of your enemies through the years?
Explore It
1. How many positive responses to mistreatment did Jesus command? (6:27–31)
2. *What different kinds of mistreatment did Jesus refer to in His commands? (6:28–30)
3. Which statement best summarizes what Jesus said about responding to enemies? (6:31)
4. How did Jesus explain the difference between His followers and those He called “sinners”? (6:32–34)
5. *About what three positive actions did Jesus ask, “What credit is that to you?” (6:32–34)
6. What was Jesus’ basic argument in backing up His command to love others unconditionally? (6:32–35)
7. *What results will those who practice loving their enemies obtain? (6:35)
8. What title did Jesus give to those who love their enemies? (6:35)
9. Who are we imitating when we love our enemies? (6:36)
Get It
1. According to this passage, what are the observable differences between “sinners” and “saints”?
2. *What does it mean to “bless those who curse you”?
3. Why was Jesus so critical of conditional love?
4. Why is treating others as you wish to be treated called the Golden Rule?
5. Which of Jesus commands do you think goes most against human nature?
6. What does it take for a person to live the way Jesus described here?
7. When is forgiveness most difficult to give?
8. How did Jesus in this sermon say His followers were to be distinctly different from the ordinary pattern?
9. *What is realistic or unrealistic about the kind of love Jesus wants us to show?
Apply It
1. To what enemy in your life can you show a gesture of love?
2. *How can you remember to do good to someone who is unkind to you this week?
Judging Others—Luke 6:37–42
Topics: Acceptance, Accusation, Benefits, Consequences, Criticism, Forgiveness, Gifts, Help, Judging Others, Learning, Promises, Relationships, Teaching
Open It
1. From what teacher or wise person have you learned the most so far?
2. *How does the expression “What goes around, comes around” apply in personal relationships?
3. When have you criticized someone for an action that you also were guilty of?
Explore It
1. What specific promises did Jesus make? (6:37–38)
2. How much did Jesus want His disciples to give? Why? (6:38)
3. *What does God give to those who give? (6:38)
4. How did Jesus summarize the importance of extending grace, mercy, and help to others? (6:38)
5. What will God give to each person? (6:38)
6. *What reason did Jesus give for discouraging the blind from attempting to lead others who were also blind? (6:39)
7. How do a student and his or her teacher relate? (6:40)
8. *What is the main point of the parable of the plank and the speck of sawdust? (6:41–42)
9. What is a person who fails to see his or her own shortcomings? (6:42)
10. What is required of a person before he or she can teach or instruct someone else? (6:42)
Get It
1. What does it mean to give “a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over”?
2. When is it easy to judge others?
3. Why is it important not to judge or condemn others?
4. What do judging, condemning, forgiving, and giving have in common?
5. *To what kind of giving did Jesus refer when He said, “Give, and it will be given to you”?
6. *What kind of blindness did Jesus have in mind when He spoke of the blind leading the blind?
7. How is a well-trained student like his teacher?
8. What bothersome circumstances could Jesus have had in mind as He told the parable of the sawdust and plank?
9. What shortcomings in ourselves do we tend to overlook?
10. Who is most qualified to point out shortcomings in others?
Apply It
1. *In what relationship in your life do you want to show more grace, mercy, and giving? How?
2. In what ways can you be a more diligent student of your heavenly Teacher this week?
A Tree and Its Fruit—Luke 6:43–45
Topics: Application, Change, Character, Consistency, Evil, Expectations, Fruit, Goodness, Heart
Open It
1. What experiences have you had with growing and harvesting fruit?
2. If you could own a fruit orchard, what kinds of fruit would you prefer to grow?
3. *How have you been fooled by someone whose words were contrary to his or her actions?
Explore It
1. What determines the quality of a fruit? (6:43)
2. *What specific statements did Jesus make about fruit before applying the same truths to people? (6:43–44)
3. In what different but related ways is the word “good” used in these verses? (6:43, 45)
4. What do the tree and fruit symbolize in these words of Jesus? (6:43, 45)
5. What did Jesus say about what people expected when collecting fruit? (6:44)
6. What do “thornbushes” and “briers” represent? (6:44)
7. *What did Jesus describe as the source of good and evil things? (6:45)
8. How did Jesus describe the role of the human heart? (6:45)
9. *How do people ultimately know about the state of our hearts? (6:45)
10. What did Jesus mean by His final statement, “For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks”? (6:45)
Get It
1. How can a person change his or her heart?
2. *What is it about a person that actually has to change in order for good behavior to be produced?
3. *When was the last time someone helped you examine how your life reflects or doesn’t reflect the presence of Christ?
4. What role has Christ played in your life in determining what kind of fruit you produce?
5. How would you describe the things you have been storing up in your heart lately?
Apply It
1. How can you cultivate the love for God that is in your heart?
2. *What mature believer could you talk with this week to help you store up good things in your heart?
The Wise and Foolish Builders—Luke 6:46–49
Topics: Accomplishments, Actions, Believers, Benefits, Comparisons, Consequences, Differences, Foundation, Life, Listening, Obedience, Security, Stress, Suffering, Wisdom, Words
Open It
1. What do you think is the single most important decision when it comes to building a house?
2. *If you could build a house anywhere in the world, where would you want to build it?
3. Who you do know who has lost their home through a natural disaster?
Explore It
1. What inconsistency did Jesus call to His followers’ attention? (6:46)
2. *What three things did Jesus say the wise person did that are similar to building well? (6:47)
3. To whom does the wise person go? (6:47)
4. What did Jesus say His two house building examples were meant to illustrate? (6:47, 49)
5. How would you characterize the wise and foolish person’s relationship to Jesus? (6:47, 49)
6. How many differences can you find between the two people Jesus described in His story? (6:47–49)
7. *What characteristics does the well-built house have? (6:48)
8. What event did Jesus describe as happening to both houses? (6:48–49)
9. How are the final results different for the wise and foolish builders? (6:48–49)
10. *What does the foolish person do right and wrong in relation to Christ’s words? (6:49)
Get It
1. Why was Jesus concerned that people would not do what He said?
2. What could the various parts of Christ’s story (the house, the rock, the sand, the foundation, and storm) represent in a person’s life?
3. *What specific actions was Jesus challenging His disciples to take?
4. What specific action was Jesus challenging the crowd to avoid?
5. What kind of life does Jesus want His followers to have?
6. What common experiences do we all have whether we obey Jesus or not?
7. How has knowing Jesus Christ made a difference during the storms in your life?
8. *At what point in the building process is your life now?
Apply It
1. *What can you do to be ready for the next storm that hits your life?
2. Which of Jesus’ words in this passage do you need to heed this week?
The Faith of the Centurion—Luke 7:1–10
Topics: Affirmation, Answers, Appreciation, Attitude, Authority, Character, Confidence, Delegation, Faith, Healing, Humility, Leadership, Prayer, Representatives, Reputation, Trust
Open It
1. When you hear the word “authority,” who first comes to mind?
2. *When have you been amazed by someone else’s faith?
3. From whom have you learned the greatest part of your understanding of faith?
Explore It
1. In what town did Jesus heal the centurion’s servant? (7:1–2)
2. What did the centurion ask Jesus to do? (7:3)
3. Whom did the centurion send to present his request to Jesus? (7:3)
4. What reason did the elders give Jesus to honor their request on behalf of the centurion? (7:3)
5. What kind of reputation did the centurion have among the people of Capernaum? (7:3)
6. *What different character qualities were demonstrated by the centurion? (7:3–8)
7. *What message did the centurion send when he discovered Jesus was actually coming to his house? (7:6–8)
8. What was the centurion’s perception of Jesus? (7:6–7)
9. How did the centurion understand the concept of authority? (7:6–8)
10. If your knowledge were limited to this passage, what would you know about centurions? (7:8)
11. *How did Jesus react to the centurion’s words? (7:9)
12. To whom did Jesus remark on the uniqueness of the centurion’s faith? (7:9)
13. What happened to the centurion’s servant? (7:10)
Get It
1. *What characteristics of the centurion’s attitude and request would be helpful to remember when we ask God for help?
2. What do people usually mean when they refer to Jesus Christ as Lord?
3. *Why is it difficult for us to be as dependent on God as the centurion was?
4. The centurion presented his request to Jesus through friends; how much is this like asking friends to pray for us?
5. Why is it important to be encouraged about the quality of our faith, even as Jesus affirmed the faith of the centurion?
6. What are some of the ways in which Jesus is Lord of your life?
7. What happens when we depend on God?
Apply It
1. *How could you affirm the faith of someone who has been an example to you?
2. How can you strengthen your friendships with other Christians this week?
Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son—Luke 7:11–17
Topics: Awe, Compassion, Faith, Healing, Miracles, Praise, Resurrection
Open It
1. *What different reactions do people have to the death of a friend?
2. How does our culture generally treat the elderly?
3. What do most people think about miracles today?
Explore It
1. Who went with Jesus to Nain? (7:11)
2. What pairs of opposites can you find in the passage? (7:11–17)
3. *What can we learn about mourning in Jesus’ day? (7:12)
4. What kind of person died? (7:12, 14)
5. *What was Jesus’ reaction to the people He encountered? (7:13–15)
6. What commands did Jesus give? (7:13–14)
7. *How did the mother and her son react to Jesus? (7:14–15)
8. How did the crowd react to Jesus? (7:16)
9. Who did the people think Jesus was? (7:16)
10. What was the result of the miracle? (7:17)
Get It
1. How do you respond to another person’s grief?
2. What can we learn from the example of the crowd from the town through their words and actions?
3. *What picture of Jesus do you take from this passage?
4. *How much do you expect God to work miracles in your life?
5. In what ways can you spread the news about Jesus?
Apply It
1. *What people in pain might you reach out to this week?
2. How can you nurture your expectancy about Jesus’ power?
3. With whom can you share your expectation of what God can do today?
Jesus and John the Baptist—Luke 7:18–35
Topics: Expectations, Faith, Healing, Legalism, Messiah, Prophecy, Waiting
Open It
1. What do you do while you’re waiting in a line?
2. *What’s the longest length of time you’ve waited for an answer from God?
3. In your opinion, what causes most people to doubt?
Explore It
1. How did John react to the reports about Jesus? (7:18–19)
2. *For what two questions did John want answers? (7:19)
3. What was Jesus doing when John’s disciples arrived? (7:21)
4. *How did Jesus answer the visitors’ questions? (7:21–22)
5. According to Jesus, what was John’s role? (7:24–27)
6. How did Jesus describe greatness? (7:28)
7. Why did the people react in different ways to the words of Jesus? (7:29–30)
8. *What did the people’s reactions say about their relationship with God? (7:29–30)
9. To what did Jesus compare the people of His day? (7:31–32)
10. How did people characterize John the Baptist? (7:33)
11. How did the description of John the Baptist compare with their characterization of Jesus? (7:34)
12. What did Jesus conclude about the people of His day? (7:35)
Get It
1. In what ways can you relate to John the Baptist in this passage?
2. *Why didn’t Jesus condemn John’s doubts?
3. How is it possible, in the words of verse 23, to “fall away on account of” Jesus?
4. Why do the appearances of God’s servants affect how they are received?
5. How can a person be more aware of the message than of the messenger?
6. What is your response to Jesus’ claim that the least in God’s kingdom is greater than John the Baptist?
7. *How can a person cultivate the wisdom and expectant response described by Jesus?
Apply It
1. *What can you do this week to be on guard against faltering faith?
2. Of what messengers of Jesus do you need to be more wary today?
3. What opportunities might you have in the next few days to express your beliefs, as well as your doubts?
Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman—Luke 7:36–50
Topics: Forgiveness, Hospitality, Judging Others, Love, Salvation, Sin, Thankfulness
Open It
1. In what ways have you been thanked recently?
2. *What limits do most people place on hospitality?
3. In our culture, what sorts of behavior are considered the most shocking?
Explore It
1. Who invited Jesus to dinner? (7:36)
2. What did one woman do when she heard where Jesus was to dine? (7:37–38)
3. *What did the Pharisee say about what the woman did? (7:39)
4. How did Jesus respond to Simon the Pharisee’s harsh thoughts? (7:40–43)
5. What did Jesus know about the woman’s motivation? (7:41–42)
6. *What did Jesus think of Simon’s hospitality? (7:44–46)
7. What contrasting treatment did Jesus mention? (7:44–46)
8. What was the result of the woman’s kindness? (7:47–48)
9. *How did the other guests react to Jesus’ forgiveness of the woman? (7:49)
10. What did Jesus say to the disapproving guests? (7:50)
11. Why, according to Jesus, was the woman saved? (7:50)
12. What was Jesus’ double blessing on the woman? (7:50)
Get It
1. With what character in the story do you most identify?
2. Which of the woman’s actions do you find most compelling?
3. *When have you ever felt like Simon or the other guests when confronted with a person of questionable morals?
4. What did Jesus receive from people who had sinned?
5. What were the limits of Jesus’ compassion in this story?
6. *What are the limits of Jesus’ compassion toward us?
7. Why was it necessary for the guests to ask about Jesus’ identity?
8. If you were the woman described in this story, how would the words and touch of Jesus make you feel?
Apply It
1. What can you do to foster your own thankfulness to God this week?
2. *What people do you want to view more with Jesus’ eyes?
The Parable of the Sower—Luke 8:1–15
Topics: Good News, Growth, Perseverance, Satan, Testing, Worry
Open It
1. If you were a plant, what would you be?
2. What are some things that distinguish one kind of plant from another?
3. *In what areas of your life have you had to persevere?
Explore It
1. Where did Jesus bring His message? (8:1)
2. What women do we meet in this passage? (8:2–3)
3. What facts about the women who followed Jesus do we learn? (8:2–3)
4. What did the various “supporting characters” do in this story? (8:1–4)
5. What method did Jesus choose to use in communicating His message? (8:4)
6. *What happened to each group of seeds? (8:5–8)
7. How did Jesus conclude His parable? (8:8)
8. How much of the parable did the people understand? (8:9–10)
9. How much of the parable did the disciples understand? (8:9–10)
10. What did the seed represent? (8:11)
11. What was the seed on the path like? (8:12)
12. *Why couldn’t those who received the Word with joy stay faithful? (8:13)
13. What choked those who were represented by the seed among the thorns? (8:14)
14. *How did the seed scattered on good soil fare? (8:15)
Get It
1. Why do you think Luke took the time to mention the women in Jesus’ following?
2. What obstacles have prevented acquaintances of yours from receiving the Word?
3. *Why is perseverance necessary for all who receive the Word?
4. *What kind of soil do you most resemble right now?
5. Which of life’s worries has choked your growth as a Christian recently?
6. What can we do to improve our receptivity to the Word of God?
Apply It
1. *What will most help you be responsive to God in your study of the Bible?
2. With whom can you share the truth about what Jesus means to you, that your faith may bear fruit?
A Lamp on a Stand—Luke 8:16–18
Topics: Abundance, Hiding, Listening, Openness, Witnessing
Open It
1. *What are the features of your favorite kind of lamp?
2. What kinds of things do people try to hide?
Explore It
1. *In what places would it be absurd to put a lamp? (8:16)
2. According to Jesus, what is not done with a lamp? (8:16)
3. *What is done with a lamp? (8:16)
4. What contrasts do we see in this passage? (8:16–18)
5. Why would someone put a light on a stand? (8:16)
6. How much can ultimately be hidden? (8:17)
7. What will happen to those things that are hidden? (8:17)
8. What are we to consider carefully? (8:18)
9. What did Jesus say our response should be to what we hear? (8:18)
10. *What did Jesus say about what God entrusts to us? (8:18)
Get It
1. *What does the lamp stand for?
2. *What sorts of things would God have us bring “out into the open”?
3. How good a listener do you think you are, in the sense of this passage?
4. What have you been given by God?
5. When have you tried to hide your Christian identity from other people?
Apply It
1. *What are some symbols you can use to show others your Christian identity?
2. What step can you take to be a better listener to this and other parables?
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers—Luke 8:19–21
Topics: Bible, Family, Listening, Obedience
Open It
1. *What is it like to be kept from seeing someone you know?
2. How does it feel when someone you know acts as if your relationship is unimportant?
Explore It
1. *Who came to see Jesus? (8:19)
2. *What kept Jesus’ family from seeing Him? (8:19)
3. How can we infer that Jesus’ family was anxious to see Him? (8:19–20)
4. Where did Jesus’ mother and brothers wait for Him? (8:20)
5. How did Jesus hear of His family’s arrival? (8:20)
6. How did Jesus respond to His family’s desire to see Him? (8:21)
7. *What did Jesus consider more important than family? (8:21)
8. With what is “hearing” closely associated? (8:21)
9. How did Jesus identify those who heard God’s Word and put in into practice?
10. What two things constituted family ties to Jesus? (8:21)
Get It
1. *In what way was Jesus hard on His mother and brothers?
2. In what ways can we feel too comfortable about our relationship with Jesus?
3. *In what ways do we put family ahead of the needs of other people?
4. When have you heard God’s Word but failed to put it into practice?
5. In what areas do you need to put God’s Word into practice more diligently?
Apply It
1. What practical change in your daily routine would help you listen to God’s Word better?
2. *With whom can you share your concerns about putting Scripture into practice so that he or she can pray for you?
Jesus Calms a Storm—Luke 8:22–25
Topics: Danger, Doubt, Faith, Fear, Obedience
Open It
1. *What is it like to fear for your physical safety?
2. How do you react to someone else’s utter calm when all you feel is panic?
Explore It
1. Whom did Jesus ask to accompany Him? (8:22)
2. Where did Jesus and His disciples go? How? (8:22)
3. What happened after Jesus and His disciples set sail? (8:23)
4. *How did Jesus react to the growing storm? (8:23)
5. *What did the disciples think of the turn of events? (8:24)
6. How and how quickly did the situation change? (8:24)
7. After the storm was calmed, what did Jesus ask the disciples? (8:25)
8. *What emotions overwhelmed the disciples? (8:25)
9. What did the disciples realize about Jesus’ identity? (8:25)
10. What did the disciples see of Jesus’ manner? (8:25)
Get It
1. What is faith?
2. *If you had been in the boat that day, would you have been more like Jesus or like the disciples? Why?
3. Would you have been reassured or angered by Jesus’ calmness?
4. *How would you respond if Jesus asked you, “Where is your faith?”
5. Why do you suppose the disciples asked each other who Jesus was, rather than asking Jesus?
6. How should the knowledge of Jesus’ supreme authority affect our faith?
Apply It
1. What can you do today to build up your faith in Jesus for the next time you feel overwhelmed?
2. *In what way can you show your assurance in God’s ability to rescue His people?
The Healing of a Demon-possessed Man—Luke 8:26–39
Topics: Demons, Evil, Grace, Miracles, New Life, Thankfulness
Open It
1. *What situations or people do you consider hopeless?
2. What people do others try to avoid when they encounter them on the street?
Explore It
1. Where did Jesus and His disciples go? By what means? (8:26)
2. What was the first thing to greet Jesus and His disciples upon their arrival? (8:27)
3. *What had the demon-possessed man’s life been like until he met Jesus? (8:27, 29)
4. *How did the demon-possessed man react to Jesus? (8:28)
5. Of what was the man afraid? (8:28)
6. Why was the man called Legion? (8:30)
7. What did the demons choose over life in the Abyss? (8:31–32)
8. What resulted from the demons’ choice? (8:33)
9. How did those tending the pigs react to what happened? (8:34)
10. Who else heard what happened, and what did they find at the region of the Gerasenes? (8:35)
11. *What emotion gripped all but the man who had been possessed by demons? (8:34–37)
12. What did the man want to do? (8:38)
13. Why did Jesus say no to the man’s request to go with Him? (8:38–39)
14. What was the result of the man’s obedience? (8:39)
Get It
1. *If you had been one of the disciples, what would have been your first reaction to the demon-possessed man?
2. What does this story say about Jesus’ concern for an individual’s life?
3. To what extent do you believe demons are active today?
4. Why do the words “fear” and “afraid” come up so much?
5. *In what ways do people today ask Jesus to leave them alone?
6. What would have happened if Jesus had given in to the man’s request to go with Him?
7. What situations or forces have at times left you not in your right mind?
Apply It
1. *What can you do this week to be more aware of Jesus’ ability to help you with your most serious problems?
2. Whom can you tell today how much God has done for you?
A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman—Luke 8:40–56
Topics: Beliefs, Death, Fear, Healing, Kindness, Miracles, New Life, Power, Resurrection
Open It
1. What do your coworkers think about miraculous healing?
2. How much have television evangelists and disreputable faith healers harmed people’s opinions of Jesus?
3. *How far would you go to bring physical healing to someone you love?
Explore It
1. What kind of reception did Jesus get when He returned? (8:40)
2. Who was Jairus? (8:41–42)
3. *What did Jairus want Jesus to do? (8:41–42)
4. What role do crowds play in this passage? (8:40, 42, 45, 47, 52–53)
5. *What do we know about the sick woman? (8:43–44)
6. How did Jesus know that someone had been healed? (8:45–46)
7. What was the woman’s reaction to being discovered? (8:47)
8. To what did Jesus attribute the woman’s healing? (8:48)
9. What happened to Jairus’s daughter while Jesus was traveling? (8:49)
10. *What commands did Jesus give before the girl was given new life? (8:50, 52, 54)
11. How did Luke describe the sequence of events inside Jairus’s house? (8:53–56)
12. What did Jesus tell the girl’s parents? (8:55–56)
Get It
1. What is similar about the two healings?
2. What is different about the two healings?
3. *What emotional effect can long-term pain have on someone?
4. How must Jesus’ words have sounded to the woman?
5. In what ways do you imagine the woman’s life changed from that day on?
6. How did Jesus’ manner and words stand in sharp contrast to the mood outside and inside Jairus’s house?
7. *How did Jesus show His care for the whole person in both situations?
8. What can we learn from the boldness of both the woman and Jairus?
Apply It
1. *For what people with long-term pain or other physical problems can you start to pray regularly?
2. How should you be bold in the way you approach God?
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve—Luke 9:1–9
Topics: Discipline, Evangelism, Gospel, Healing, Mission, Obedience, Poor
Open It
1. How much preparation and packing do you usually do before a trip?
2. *How willing are most people to “pull up stakes” and move to unfamiliar surroundings?
3. How much are the people you know willing to believe in miracles?
Explore It
1. *What happened after Jesus had called the twelve disciples together? (9:1–2)
2. What authority was granted to the Twelve? (9:1–2)
3. *How did Jesus instruct the Twelve to proceed? (9:3–5)
4. What were the disciples to do if a town would not welcome them? (9:6)
5. *What was the disciples’ response to Jesus’ instructions? (9:6)
6. Who became aware of Jesus and the Twelve? (9:7)
7. What did Herod think of Jesus’ healing and preaching? (9:7)
8. What were the various explanations of Jesus? (9:7–8)
9. What resurrection images did Luke mention? (9:7–8)
10. What basic question did Herod have about Jesus? (9:9)
11. What did Herod want to do? Why? (9:9)
Get It
1. How foreign to your thinking do Jesus’ instructions to the Twelve seem?
2. How strange might Jesus’ instructions have seemed to the Twelve?
3. *Why do you suppose Jesus sent the Twelve out with so few provisions?
4. *What sort of callings do we receive from God?
5. Who is preaching and healing under Jesus’ authority in our day?
6. What do people in power usually think of Jesus? Why?
7. What callings from God are you aware of in your life?
Apply It
1. *How can you prepare yourself this week for the future God has in mind for you?
2. How can you better take advantage of God’s power and authority in your life?
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand—Luke 9:10–17
Topics: Faith, Healing, Kingdom of God/Heaven, Miracles, Responsibility
Open It
1. In what situations do you really want to be alone?
2. *How do people react when given an overwhelming responsibility?
Explore It
1. From where had the apostles returned? (9:10)
2. What was the first thing the disciples did? (9:10)
3. What did Jesus decide to do after the apostles had returned? (9:10)
4. How did Jesus’ plans change? (9:11)
5. *What did the apostles want to do with the crowd? (9:12)
6. What did Jesus propose to do with the crowd? (9:13)
7. *What were the choices for feeding the crowds? (9:13)
8. In what order of events did Jesus go about feeding the people? (9:16)
9. How did the disciples help Jesus? (9:16)
10. *What were the results of Jesus’ miracle? (9:17)
Get It
1. *If you had been an apostle, how would you have reacted to the crowd’s overwhelming need?
2. What is surprising (and not surprising) to you about Jesus’ response to the people’s hunger?
3. What can we learn about Jesus’ rapport with people from this account?
4. What can we learn about the abundance of God’s provision from this passage?
5. What can we assume about the apostles’ attitudes at the end of the story?
6. *With what projects can your church or community group be involved to help people in need?
Apply It
1. *What people in need living in your community can you take steps to help this month?
2. What can you do to increase your faith in God’s miraculous powers?
Peter’s Confession of Christ—Luke 9:18–27
Topics: Beliefs, Confession, Kingdom of God/Heaven, Prophecy, Sacrifice, Shame, Suffering, Witnessing
Open It
1. What are some of the roles you fill at home, work, and in your community?
2. *When have you made a sacrifice for the sake of someone else?
3. In what do you take the most pride? Why?
Explore It
1. What was Jesus doing when He was alone with His disciples? (9:18)
2. What was Jesus’ series of questions? (9:18, 20)
3. Who did the crowd think Jesus was? (9:19)
4. Who spoke up when Jesus brought up the question of His identity? (9:20)
5. What was Jesus’ reaction to the statement by Peter? (9:21)
6. What kind of future did Jesus predict for Himself? (9:22)
7. How often is our allegiance to Christ demanded? (9:23)
8. *What are the conditions for discipleship with Jesus? (9:23)
9. *What kind of commitment does discipleship require? (9:24–25)
10. What did Jesus say would happen to anyone who is ashamed of Him and His words? (9:26)
11. *With what prediction did Jesus conclude His admonition to the disciples? (9:27)
Get It
1. How would you answer Jesus today if He asked, “Who do crowds say I am?”
2. In what situations would you be uncomfortable stating plainly that Jesus is the Christ of God?
3. Why do you suppose that Jesus strictly warned His disciples not to tell anyone about His heavenly identity?
4. In what ways do we behave as if we are not to tell anybody who Jesus is?
5. *What celebrities recently seem to have “gained the whole world” yet lost or forfeited their very selves?
6. *In what ways can you lose your life for Jesus?
7. What might it feel like to have the Son of Man ashamed of us?
Apply It
1. What situations this week might call for you to speak out about Jesus’ identity?
2. How can you pray this week to help you talk about Jesus with others?
3. *With whom can you pray this week for the purpose of denying yourself and following Jesus?
The Transfiguration—Luke 9:28–36
Topics: Faith, Fear, Glory, Listening, Prayer, Prophecy
Open It
1. *What special events in your life do wish could have lasted forever?
2. When you’re deeply involved in something, what does it take to get you to listen to something else?
Explore It
1. Who went with Jesus up a mountain? (9:28)
2. Why did Jesus and His disciples go up the mountain? (9:28)
3. *What happened to Jesus while He was praying? (9:29)
4. Who suddenly appeared, and what did they do? (9:30–31)
5. How did Moses and Elijah describe Jesus’ departure? (9:31)
6. How were Peter, John, and James feeling at this point? (9:32)
7. What did Peter and his companions see? (9:32)
8. *How did Peter react to the amazing scene? (9:33)
9. Why were the disciples suddenly afraid? (9:34)
10. What did the voice from the cloud say about Jesus? (9:35)
11. What happened to Moses and Elijah? (9:36)
12. *How did the disciples handle their experience? (9:36)
Get It
1. If you had been with Peter, James, and John, how might you have felt?
2. What does “bring to fulfillment” imply about Jesus’ departure? (9:31)
3. *In describing Peter’s suggestion about the shelters, why did Luke say, “He did not know what he was saying”?
4. What would have happened if it were possible to stay on the mountain with Moses and Elijah?
5. What does the timing of the voice from the cloud say to you?
6. What might God want to say to us about Jesus today?
7. *Why do you think the disciples told no one what they had seen that day?
Apply It
1. What book or passage of the Bible could you read to help you better understand your relationship to Jesus?
2. What can you do in your private devotions to help you listen to God’s Son?
3. *With what person or people could you share what you have learned from this passage?
The Healing of a Boy With an Evil Spirit—Luke 9:37–45
Topics: Believe, Children, Demons, Evil, Fear, Healing, Listening, Miracles, Parents, Unbelievers
Open It
1. What is it like to feel that you’re not in control of your body?
2. What do people today think about demon possession?
3. *What are typical first reactions to things we don’t understand?
Explore It
1. What did Jesus and His disciples encounter when they came down from the mountain? (9:37)
2. Why did the man ask Jesus to look at his son? (9:38)
3. What had been happening to the boy? (9:39)
4. *What had the father tried to no avail? (9:40)
5. *To what did Jesus attribute the disciples’ failure to heal the boy? (9:41)
6. What happened to the boy while he was being brought to Jesus? (9:42)
7. What three things did Jesus do? (9:42)
8. What was the crowd’s reactions to what they saw? (9:43)
9. How did Jesus respond to the people’s admiration? (9:43–44)
10. What did Jesus predict about Himself? (9:44)
11. *How much did the disciples understand of what Jesus told them? (9:45)
12. What was the disciples’ overriding emotion at the time? (9:45)
Get It
1. What must life have been like for the father and son Jesus met?
2. *What is the connection in this story between belief and healing?
3. What is the connection between belief and healing in our lives today?
4. How would you contrast the people’s belief in God’s working through the disciples and through Jesus?
5. What similarities to this story do you see in the way people approach belief today?
6. Why would Jesus speak to His disciples about being betrayed instead of preaching to the crowd about the miracle they had just seen?
7. *What could have kept understanding hidden from the disciples?
8. What clouds our understanding of Jesus?
9. What can we do when we are confused or uncertain about God?
Apply It
1. What area of unbelief do you want to talk with God about this week?
2. *For those aspects of Jesus that you still don’t understand, what is one step you can take to learn more?
Who Will Be the Greatest?—Luke 9:46–50
Topics: Ambition, Arguments, Children, Demons, Envy, Favoritism, Greatness, Humility, Self-righteousness, Teamwork
Open It
1. *What does greatness mean to you?
2. What do you like and dislike most about children?
Explore It
1. How did an argument start among the disciples? (9:46)
2. *About what did the disciples argue? (9:46)
3. How did Jesus find out what was happening? (9:47)
4. *What did Jesus use to reply to the disciples’ ambition? (9:47)
5. What connections between the child and God did Jesus make? (9:48)
6. *What reason did Jesus give for connecting children with God? (9:48)
7. How did John change the subject? (9:49)
8. Why had the disciples tried to stop the man? (9:49)
9. What did Jesus think of the disciples’ gallantry? (9:50)
10. What reason did Jesus give for not stopping the man who was driving out demons? (9:50)
Get It
1. *What effect must the example of a child have had on the disciples?
2. What opportunities do we have to welcome children (and thereby welcome Jesus and God the Father)?
3. *What different ambitions and motivations can we see in churches and other religious organizations today?
4. What reaction was John probably expecting to his efforts to stop the man from driving out demons?
5. What kind of teamwork might Jesus be looking for today among His followers?
6. How can we be more cooperative with each other?
Apply It
1. *What is one step you can take to subject your ambitions to the ambitions of Jesus?
2. How can you foster a spirit of teamwork in your church or religious group in the weeks ahead?
Samaritan Opposition—Luke 9:51–56
Topics: Goals, Opposition, Rejection
Open It
1. What kinds of things happen when a big project, such as a political campaign or a special event, nears its completion?
2. What are some examples of prejudice that you have seen?
3. *When something or someone for whom you’ve worked very hard is rejected, how do you typically react?
Explore It
1. What significant event was looming on the horizon? (9:51)
2. Where was Jesus going? (9:51)
3. In what manner did Jesus set out for His journey? (9:51)
4. What preparations did Jesus make? Why? (9:51–52)
5. What were the messengers supposed to do? (9:52)
6. *Why didn’t the Samaritans welcome Jesus? (9:53)
7. Where did Jesus and His disciples go? Why? (9:53–56)
8. What did James and John think of Samaritan hospitality? (9:54)
9. *What did James and John want to bring down on the Samaritans? Why? (9:54)
10. *What did Jesus think of His disciples’ suggestion? (9:55)
11. What did Jesus do about the Samaritans’ rejection? (9:56)
Get It
1. What possible connection might there have been between welcoming Jesus and His going to Jerusalem?
2. *How do you handle it when someone rejects you because of prejudice or for petty reasons?
3. *If you had been a disciple, what would you have suggested been done to the villagers?
4. When have you resolutely faced up to a situation that you knew was going to be difficult or even dangerous?
5. In what ways do we get sidetracked by retaliation?
Apply It
1. What steps can you take over the next few days to keep your God-inspired goals in mind?
2. *What do you want to remember the next time you feel a desire to retaliate or get even?
The Cost of Following Jesus—Luke 9:57–62
Topics: Devotion, Faithfulness, Follow, Home, Kingdom of God/Heaven, Loyalty, Relationships
Open It
1. About what sorts of things do you get enthusiastic?
2. *When working on a group project, what excuses do people use to postpone or avoid fulfilling their obligations?
Explore It
1. Where were Jesus and His disciples when this story began? (9:57)
2. To what lengths did the first man say he would follow Jesus? (9:57)
3. What was Jesus’ reply to the first man’s statement of devotion? (9:58)
4. In what way were foxes and birds of the air more secure than Jesus? (9:58)
5. *What did the second man want to do before following Jesus? (9:59)
6. What was the second man to do instead of burying his father? (9:60)
7. How did Jesus respond to the obligations of family life? (9:60, 62)
8. *What did the third person want to do before following Jesus? (9:61)
9. *Who is not fit for the kingdom of God? (9:62)
10. What imagery did Jesus evoke to examine the person’s loyalties? (9:62)
Get It
1. *Given Jesus’ replies to the three would-be followers, what do you suppose their conflicting loyalties were?
2. What did Jesus want the three men to do?
3. With which of these men do you most easily identify?
4. Why did Jesus encourage the one man to place such little value on family responsibilities?
5. What loyalties conflict with our allegiance to God?
6. *From this account, how would you summarize the costs of following Jesus?
7. What are the costs of following Jesus?
8. Why are there costs in following Jesus?
Apply It
1. *What would help you this week to remember your loyalty to Christ?
2. With whom in your circle of family or friends can you reaffirm your desire to follow Jesus?
Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-two—Luke 10:1–24
Topics: Children, Demons, Evangelism, Joy, Kingdom of God/Heaven, Mission
Open It
1. How would you treat the representatives of a famous person?
2. *What difficult project have you worked on recently?
3. How do you feel when you complete a difficult task?
Explore It
1. In what manner were the seventy-two followers sent out? (10:1)
2. According to Jesus, why were His followers to pray for more workers? (10:2)
3. To what did Jesus liken His followers? (10:3)
4. What instructions did Jesus give the seventy-two concerning their departure? (10:4)
5. *What were Jesus’ followers to do about accommodations? (10:5–8)
6. What were the seventy-two sent out to do? (10:9)
7. *To what could unbelieving towns look forward? (10:10–15)
8. What did the disciples report upon their return? (10:17)
9. *What authority did Jesus give His disciples? (10:18–19)
10. Why were the seventy-two to rejoice? (10:20)
11. What was the Father’s pleasure? (10:21–22)
12. Who was envious of the disciples? Why? (10:23–24)
Get It
1. What was life like for the seventy-two disciples?
2. Which of the jobs done by the seventy-two do we see in action today?
3. *What instructions has Jesus given you?
4. *When have you been rejected as a representative of Christ?
5. What are the trappings of being “wise and learned”?
6. What are the benefits of being like “little children”?
7. What can we see and hear about God that the disciples, prophets, and kings could not?
Apply It
1. This week, how can you observe children to help you understand more of God’s revelation?
2. *When can you set aside time to pray regularly to learn your place among those whom God has sent out?
3. Whom else can you encourage in your church or fellowship group to join you in prayer and service?
The Parable of the Good Samaritan—Luke 10:25–37
Topics: Eternal Life, Kindness, Law, Love, Mercy, Neighbor, Testing
Open It
1. What are the greatest inconveniences in your life?
2. *When has someone gone out of his or her way to help you?
3. What do you think motivates most people to do good?
Explore It
1. What did the legal expert ask Jesus? (10:25)
2. Why did the legal expert ask a question about eternal life? (10:25)
3. How did Jesus turn the question back on the legal expert? (10:26)
4. How did the legal expert summarize the demands of the Law? (10:27)
5. What did the expert ask about loving one’s neighbor? (10:29)
6. What did the legal expert want to do? (10:29)
7. How did Jesus reply to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” (10:30–35)
8. *What did the priest and the Levite do to help the man who was robbed and beaten? (10:31–32)
9. *What was the Samaritan’s response to what he saw? (10:33–35)
10. Why did the Samaritan help the beaten man? (10:33)
11. What relationship did Jesus use to characterize the Samaritan’s behavior? (10:36)
12. *How did the legal expert define the neighbor in the parable? (10:37)
13. What did Jesus command the expert to do in response to the parable? (10:37)
Get It
1. What different motivations do people have for asking questions about God and of God?
2. How effective is this parable in communicating love for one’s neighbor?
3. *What natural inclinations make it easier for you to act like the priest and the Levite than like the Samaritan?
4. *How practical was the Samaritan’s approach to the man in need?
5. How does it feel when someone has mercy on you?
6. In what ways can we as individuals and as groups of Christians be more like the Samaritan?
Apply It
1. *What step can you take to help meet someone else’s physical needs?
2. What people who have helped you in times of need do you want to thank this week?
At the Home of Martha and Mary—Luke 10:38–42
Topics: Choices, Family, Hospitality, Jealousy, Listening, Preparation
Open It
1. *What is your home like shortly before guests arrive?
2. What do you enjoy about formal or informal dinners? Why?
3. What is involved in clean-up at your house?
Explore It
1. What did Martha do for Jesus and His disciples? (10:38)
2. Who was Mary? (10:39)
3. Where was Mary while Jesus was talking? (10:39)
4. *What did Mary do while Martha attended to household preparations? (10:39–40)
5. How much could Martha concentrate on Jesus’ words while preparing for her guests? (10:40)
6. Of what did Martha accuse Jesus? (10:40)
7. *Of what did Martha accuse her sister? (10:40)
8. What did Martha want Jesus to do? (10:40)
9. How did Jesus try to calm down Martha? (10:41)
10. *What did Jesus think of the sisters’ choices? (10:41–42)
Get It
1. How would you describe the “Marys” (male and female) that you know?
2. To what extent do you resemble the hurried, frantic personality of Martha?
3. *If you had been Martha in this situation, how would you have reacted to your sister’s choice?
4. What did Jesus mean when He said that “only one thing is needed”?
5. *Why did Jesus favor Mary’s choice?
6. In what way do you identify with Mary’s choice in your relationship to Jesus?
Apply It
1. What events or opportunities are coming up in which you can focus on being a student of Christ?
2. *What steps can you take this week to help a friend with domestic tasks so that he or she can have more time to pray or read the Bible?
Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer—Luke 11:1–13
Topics: Children, Friendship, Generosity, Holy Spirit, Needs, Persistence, Prayer
Open It
1. What are children like when they want a certain toy?
2. *How do you react to someone’s relentless requests for something?
Explore It
1. What was Jesus doing when one of His disciples approached Him? (11:1)
2. *What was the disciple’s request? (11:1)
3. Who had taught his disciples to pray? (11:1)
4. What topics did Jesus’ prayer cover? (11:2–4)
5. With what is God’s forgiveness of us linked? (11:4)
6. *Why did the person in need go to the friend at midnight? (11:5–8)
7. Whom does the friend in the house represent? (11:5–8)
8. *Why did the friend eventually grant the man’s request? (11:8)
9. What cause-and-effect connection did Jesus use to follow up on the parable? (11:9–10)
10. How do most parents respond to their children’s requests? (11:11–12)
11. Why do parents grant their children’s requests? (11:13)
12. How is God the Father like and unlike human fathers? (11:13)
13. What does God give to us? (11:13)
Get It
1. Why did the disciples need to be taught how to pray?
2. Why do we need to learn how to pray?
3. What opinions have you heard on how God responds to our prayers?
4. *How can we ask, seek, and knock when we approach our heavenly Father?
5. *What kinds of things do we—individually and collectively—usually ask for?
6. How might this passage change your expectations of prayer?
Apply It
1. *Whom can you call today or tomorrow and offer to pray on his or her behalf?
2. When can you plan for an extended period of prayer in the next few months?
Jesus and Beelzebub—Luke 11:14–28
Topics: Blessing, Demons, Evil, Family, Judging Others, Kingdom of God/Heaven, Satan, Testing
Open It
1. In what groups or situations have you seen a great deal of chaos?
2. *How do you feel when good works are attributed to bad motives?
Explore It
1. What sort of demon did Jesus drive out? (11:14)
2. *By whose power did some think Jesus could drive out demons? (11:15)
3. What did some people say about Jesus’ work? (11:16)
4. *How did Jesus react to criticism? (11:17–20)
5. How was the question of Jesus’ authority turned back on those who questioned Him? (11:19–20)
6. In Jesus’ illustration, what does an attacker take in addition to a person’s possessions? (11:21–22)
7. *If a person is not with Jesus, what is his status? (11:23)
8. Where does an evil spirit go when it is exorcised from a person? (11:24)
9. What happens to a person if an evil spirit is cast out of him or her and replaced with nothing? (11:25–26)
10. What is the final condition of the person who does not replace evil with good? (11:26)
11. What did a woman from the crowd call out? (11:27)
12. Who is blessed, according to one of the people in the crowd? (11:27)
13. To whom was the woman in the crowd referring? (11:27)
14. Who is blessed, according to Jesus? (11:28)
Get It
1. How do we see the various attitudes toward Jesus and His followers demonstrated today?
2. *Why was it impossible for Jesus to be working under Satan’s power?
3. What might Jesus think of those who don’t let their religion affect their lives beyond “religious activities”?
4. *When evil leaves our lives, what must replace it?
5. How surprising to you is Jesus’ reply to the woman in the crowd?
6. How might one have expected Jesus to answer the woman’s blessing?
7. What does it mean to be blessed?
Apply It
1. *What action can you take today to fill a void in your life with something good and holy?
2. What can you do this week to improve your responsiveness to the Word of God?
The Sign of Jonah—Luke 11:29–32
Topics: Comparisons, Example, Judgment, Miracles, Repentance, Wisdom
Open It
1. *What do you think characterizes your generation?
2. What do people mean by the phrase, “It’s a sign of the times”?
Explore It
1. What had happened to Jesus’ following as this story opens? (11:29)
2. *What did Jesus think of the generation in which He lived? (11:29)
3. *What did Jesus’ generation want? (11:30)
4. Who was to be a sign to Jesus’ generation? (11:30)
5. With what group of people was Jesus’ generation compared? (11:30)
6. *What made the Queen of the South fit for judging the people of Jesus’ generation? (11:31)
7. How did Jesus use Solomon’s reputation to describe Himself? (11:31)
8. Who was to condemn Jesus’ generation? (11:31–32)
9. What had the men of Nineveh done? (11:32)
10. How did Jesus use Jonah’s reputation to describe Himself? (11:32)
Get It
1. How do you think Jesus was feeling at this point?
2. Why did Jesus use the examples of the Queen of the South and the Ninevites?
3. For what signs from God have you looked?
4. *What would Jesus say about your diligence in seeking wisdom and willingness to repent?
5. *In what ways would Jesus consider your generation a wicked one?
6. What does God want us to do about living in a “wicked generation”?
Apply It
1. *What can you do to be sensitive to the signs God has already given you in the Bible?
2. Whom can you ask to join you this week in praying for wisdom and repentance?
The Lamp of the Body—Luke 11:33–36
Topics: Body, Darkness, Light, Morality, Witnessing
Open It
1. How do you react to a power failure, especially at night?
2. How does your favorite lamp in your home make you feel?
3. *How good or bad is your eyesight?
Explore It
1. What is not done with a lamp? (11:33)
2. What is done with a lamp? (11:33)
3. Who benefits from the proper handling of a lamp? (11:33)
4. To what did Jesus compare the human eye? (11:34)
5. What is the “lamp of your body”? (11:34)
6. *What happens when the eyes are good? (11:34)
7. *What happens when the eyes are bad? (11:34)
8. What did Jesus counsel His listeners to do? (11:35)
9. *What is the result of having the whole body full of light? (11:36)
10. To what did Jesus compare having a whole body full of light? (11:36)
Get It
1. What kinds of lamps are there, and what are their purposes?
2. *Why did Jesus choose the illustration of light and darkness?
3. What does it feel like to be “full of light”?
4. What does it feel like to be “full of darkness”?
5. *What kinds of things can you do to make your life a lamp to yourself and to others?
6. What things, people, or situations tend to fill you with darkness?
Apply It
1. *To whom can you be a lamp this week, sharing what Jesus means to you? How?
2. What is one step you need to take to keep old habits or tempting situations from darkening your life?
Six Woes—Luke 11:37–54
Topics: Criticism, Enemies, Hardheartedness, Hypocrisy, Judging Others, Justice, Law, Opposition, Prophecy
Open It
1. *How important are appearances in our culture?
2. In what way do many people show that they care more about how they look to others than about what they’re really like inside?
Explore It
1. What did the Pharisee do when Jesus finished speaking? (11:37)
2. *What surprised Jesus’ host? (11:38)
3. *According to Jesus, what did the Pharisee emphasize and overlook? (11:39–40)
4. How could the Pharisees have made everything clean for themselves? (11:41)
5. *What did the Pharisees neglect in favor of tithing herbs? (11:42)
6. Why did Jesus say “woe” six times? (11:42–52)
7. Who else besides the Pharisees was offended by Jesus’ strong words? (11:45)
8. What did the Pharisees’ forefathers do? (11:47)
9. Why were Jesus’ listeners held responsible for the prophets’ fates? (11:48–51)
10. To what did Jesus liken knowledge? (11:52)
11. What did the Pharisees and teachers of the law do when Jesus left? (11:53)
12. What motivated the Pharisees and teachers of the law to ask questions? (11:54)
Get It
1. How would you describe the Pharisees?
2. *Who today imitates the Pharisees’ attitudes and actions?
3. Who today tries to change other people on the outside without helping them change on the inside?
4. In what ways do Christians try to change the way people act outwardly rather than how they respond to God?
5. What trade-offs do we make in emphasizing appearance over substance?
6. Of what “woes” might Jesus warn us?
7. In what way do we hinder others from coming to God?
8. *How can we be sure that we are emphasizing justice and the love of God instead of our own lists of things others ought to do?
9. Why was it fair for Jesus to condemn His contemporaries for their forefathers’ sins?
10. To whom else might Jesus want you to give “the key of knowledge”?
11. How can we be sure that we are asking questions to gain knowledge rather than to catch someone in his or her words?
Apply It
1. What person can you ask to spend some time this week helping you weed out hypocrisy?
2. *Whom can you encourage to learn from God’s Word this week? How?
Warnings and Encouragements—Luke 12:1–12
Topics: Authority, Blasphemy, Caring, Darkness, Encouragement, Holy Spirit, Hypocrisy, Light
Open It
1. *What individuals or groups are most feared in our society?
2. In what situations have you had to stand before someone with considerable authority over you?
Explore It
1. What was the crowd like? (12:1)
2. Against what did Jesus warn His disciples? (12:1)
3. What contrasts did Jesus use to prepare the disciples for the future? (12:2–3)
4. *What did Jesus say His disciples should and should not fear? (12:4–5)
5. What proofs of God’s care did Jesus offer to His disciples? (12:6–7)
6. *How was the disciples’ loyalty to Jesus linked to Jesus’ loyalty to them? (12:8–9)
7. What was to happen to those who speak against the Son of Man? (12:10)
8. What sin could not be forgiven? (12:10)
9. *How much were the disciples to prepare for their encounters with religious and political authorities? (12:11)
10. How were the disciples to know what to say? (12:12)
Get It
1. How might Jesus’ words about the troubles to come have made His disciples feel?
2. *How does the possibility of persecution make you feel?
3. What does the imagery about the sparrows and hairs say to us?
4. Why are we important to God?
5. *What situations tempt people not to acknowledge Jesus before others?
6. What is it about blaspheming against the Holy Spirit that makes it unforgivable?
7. Before what sorts of religious and political authorities are believers brought today?
8. Of what benefit is it to rehearse what you will say in difficult circumstances?
Apply It
1. How can you remind yourself of your importance to God every day this week?
2. How can you pray for those who suffer for their relationship with God?
3. *What step can you take this week to prepare for persecution?
The Parable of the Rich Fool—Luke 12:13–21
Topics: Abundance, Complacency, Foolishness, Judgment, Possessions, Preparation
Open It
1. Over what did you and your siblings fight when you were growing up?
2. *How did your family regard possessions while you were growing up?
3. What measures of a person does our society value?
Explore It
1. What did the person in the crowd want Jesus to do? (12:13)
2. *Against what did Jesus warn the crowd? Why? (12:13–15)
3. How did Jesus respond to the request from the crowd? (12:14)
4. From what did Jesus distinguish a person’s life? (12:15)
5. What teaching device did Jesus use? (12:16)
6. What was the rich man’s dilemma in the parable? (12:16–17)
7. What did the man decide to do about his bumper crop? (12:18)
8. *How did the rich man view his possessions and good fortune? (12:19)
9. How did God intervene in the rich man’s life? (12:20)
10. *What would become of the man’s abundance? (12:20)
11. What kinds of abundance did Jesus mention? (12:21)
12. To whom did Jesus apply His teaching about greed? (12:21)
Get It
1. What signs of greed can show up in a person’s life?
2. On what basis would you like your life to be judged?
3. With what parts of the parable can you identify?
4. *What parts of the parable make you uncomfortable?
5. In what ways do we act as if we will live for many, many years?
6. Why is it difficult for us to accept the fact that our life and things are temporary?
7. *How is it possible to be rich toward God?
Apply It
1. *What is one step you can take this week to become less dependent on your possessions?
2. With which of your possessions do you want to be more generous? How can you?
Do Not Worry—Luke 12:22–34
Topics: Body, Fear, Kingdom of God/Heaven, Possessions, Priorities, Worry
Open It
1. *About what do people you know tend to worry?
2. What do most people want for their children?
Explore It
1. Why did Jesus start talking about worry? (12:22)
2. *About what are we not to worry? (12:22)
3. What is more important than food or clothes? (12:23)
4. *What are we to learn from birds? (12:24)
5. *What does worrying accomplish? (12:25–26)
6. What do flowers teach us? (12:27–28)
7. What does worry about clothes indicate about us? (12:28)
8. On what basis are we not to worry? (12:30)
9. What does God want us to seek? (12:31)
10. How did Jesus continue with the Father-child analogy? (12:32)
11. What are we to do with our possessions? (12:33)
12. Where can treasure be found? (12:33)
13. What goes with treasure in heaven? (12:34)
Get It
1. Why do we worry about food and clothes?
2. *What situations bring out the worrier in you?
3. What has worrying done for you?
4. How do the images of God’s provision for birds and nature affect you?
5. *When have you seen the truth that God knows your needs and meets them?
6. How can a person seek God’s kingdom?
7. What is the connection between seeking God’s kingdom and the Father giving us the kingdom?
8. How can we store up treasure in heaven?
9. How big is your treasure in heaven?
Apply It
1. *When can you pray today to hand over your worries to God?
2. What step can you take this week to share your earthly treasures with others?
3. What can you do to encourage your church to help meet the needs of homeless people?
Watchfulness—Luke 12:35–48
Topics: Patience, Preparation, Second Coming, Waiting
Open It
1. What sort of preparations have you been involved in making?
2. *What is it like to wait for someone without knowing when he or she is coming?
Explore It
1. What did Jesus tell His disciples to do? (12:35)
2. According to Jesus, what are the two traits of the one who is ready? (12:35)
3. *What did the men in the story do when their master returned? (12:36)
4. What happened to the servants who were watching properly? (12:37)
5. *How long should the servants have been willing to wait? (12:38)
6. *When do important things often happen? (12:39–40)
7. What did Peter ask Jesus? (12:41)
8. How did Jesus reply to Peter’s question? (12:42)
9. What distinguished the faithful and wise manager? (12:42–44)
10. How did some servants handle responsibilities in their masters’ absence? (12:45)
11. What happened to the foolish servants? (12:46)
12. What was to be the fate of the servants who knew what to do but wouldn’t do it? (12:47)
13. What happened to the servants who acted out of ignorance? (12:48)
14. What is expected of those who have been given and entrusted with much? (12:48)
Get It
1. How are “watching” and “waiting” used throughout this passage?
2. What does watchfulness involve?
3. For what are we to be watchful?
4. Why is watchfulness not a passive activity?
5. What does this passage say about Jesus’ return?
6. *How should we act while waiting for Jesus to return?
7. What do we learn of God’s fairness here?
8. What has God given us?
9. What has God given you?
10. How much have we, individually and collectively, been given and entrusted with?
11. What responsibilities or duties may be demanded of us?
12. How should we use what God has given us?
13. *What can you do for God in your areas of responsibility?
14. How can we use wisely what God gives each of us?
Apply It
1. What is one area of need in your church or among other Christians that you can serve?
2. How can you get ready for Christ’s return?
3. *What steps can you take toward fulfilling your God-given responsibilities this week?
Not Peace but Division—Luke 12:49–53
Topics: Children, Conflict, Disagreements, Divisions, Family, Peace, War
Open It
1. What in your view makes it hard for families to fit the image of perfect domestic harmony?
2. What do families typically fight about?
3. *What causes family members to turn against each other?
Explore It
1. *What did Jesus come to bring? (12:49)
2. For what did Jesus wish? (12:49)
3. For what was Jesus waiting? (12:50)
4. How did Jesus feel about the baptism He would undergo? (12:50)
5. Until when would Jesus be distressed about His baptism? (12:50)
6. *What, evidently, did most people think Jesus was bringing? (12:51)
7. In what way did Jesus indicate that division would affect everyone until He returned? (12:51)
8. What did Jesus bring? (12:51)
9. *Where would the division that Jesus brings be noticed? (12:52–53)
10. What relationships would suffer division because of Christ? (12:52–53)
Get It
1. Why did Jesus wish that the “fire … were already kindled”?
2. What did Jesus mean by baptism?
3. *In what way did Jesus bring division?
4. How common is the view that Jesus came to bring peace on earth?
5. How is division the opposite of peace?
6. How would you describe a divided family?
7. Over what issues are any of your relatives divided?
8. *Over what issues should we be willing to divide?
Apply It
1. *What can you do to prepare for clashes over your beliefs?
2. From what other Christian can you draw encouragement and strength in standing for Jesus? How?
Interpreting the Times—Luke 12:54–59
Topics: Arguments, Hypocrisy, Interpretation, Judgment, Reconciliation
Open It
1. *What various interpretations have been offered to explain the dramatic world events of the last few years?
2. How have you seen arguments get out of control?
Explore It
1. To whom was Jesus talking? (12:54)
2. What did a cloud in the west mean to Jesus’ audience? (12:54)
3. What did the south wind indicate to Jesus’ audience? (12:55)
4. *What name did Jesus call the crowd? (12:56)
5. *What didn’t the crowd know how to interpret? (12:56)
6. About what was Jesus exasperated? (12:56)
7. *What did Jesus want His audience to do? (12:57)
8. Where did Jesus recommend the people patch up differences with others? (12:58)
9. What could be the consequences if people did not settle their differences? (12:58–59)
10. When would a person thrown in jail be able to get out? (12:59)
Get It
1. *What accounted for the crowd’s inability to interpret the signs of Jesus’ time?
2. How does God communicate with us today?
3. To what “signs” does God want us to pay attention?
4. *When has God given you a sign that you should do something?
5. When have you had a dispute with another person that had to be settled by a third party?
6. Why does Jesus want us to judge for ourselves what is right?
7. How is the “out of court” settlement better than a judge’s decision?
Apply It
1. *What spiritual discipline can you work on to help you listen to God’s Word?
2. What relationship can you work to reconcile this week?
Repent or Perish—Luke 13:1–9
Topics: Fruit, Repentance, Sacrifice, Suffering
Open It
1. *What connection do many people make between how bad they are and how much they suffer?
2. When was a time you felt that God was letting you suffer because you had sinned?
3. What have been some of your frustrating experiences with gardening?
Explore It
1. *What did Jesus hear about a group of Galileans? (13:1)
2. *What explanation for the tragedy did Jesus propose? (13:2)
3. How did Jesus reply to His own question? (13:3)
4. What was the story involving the tower of Siloam? (13:4)
5. *What were Jesus’ listeners to learn from the two stories? (13:3–5)
6. In the parable, what did the man seek from his fig tree? (13:6)
7. Where was the fig tree? (13:6)
8. What did the man say to the person who took care of the vineyard? (13:7)
9. Why did the man want the fig tree chopped down? (13:7)
10. What did the vineyard tender suggest? (13:8–9)
Get It
1. What does it mean to “bear fruit”?
2. *Why do we often assume that people suffer because they are uniquely bad?
3. What people or groups of people do we sometimes blame for their suffering?
4. What’s wrong with saying that people suffer because of how sinful they are?
5. *What can we do to keep from judging people by their circumstances?
6. What did Jesus mean by His warning, “But unless you repent, you too will all perish”?
7. Why did Jesus tell the fig tree parable after discussing the two tragic incidents?
8. Whom do the fig tree, the man, and the vineyard tender represent?
9. What second chances have you been given?
10. What can we learn from this parable?
11. What does God want us to do?
Apply It
1. What godly characteristic do you want to focus your attention on this week? How?
2. *How can you show acceptance to one or two people who have been falsely judged as unrighteous for their circumstances?
3. What can you do to comfort, help, or encourage someone who is suffering this week?
4. What step of repentance would communicate to God your gratitude for second chances?
A Crippled Woman Healed on the Sabbath—Luke 13:10–17
Topics: Demons, Healing, Hypocrisy, Judging Others, Miracles, Opposition, Praise, Satan
Open It
1. When has someone criticized you for doing something good?
2. *What rules about Sunday have you heard?
Explore It
1. When was Jesus teaching in one of the synagogues? (13:10)
2. *Whom did Jesus see in the synagogue? (13:11)
3. What did Jesus do when He saw the crippled woman? (13:12)
4. What led to the crippled woman’s healing? (13:12–13)
5. How did the woman respond to what Jesus had done? (13:13)
6. *Why was the synagogue ruler indignant? (13:14)
7. What rule did the synagogue ruler announce to the crowd? (13:14)
8. What did Jesus think of the religious leaders? (13:15)
9. *What example did Jesus give to justify His healing of the woman? (13:15–16)
10. What had caused the woman’s malady? (13:16)
11. How did different people react to what had happened? (13:17)
Get It
1. *How did the Jewish leader view the Sabbath?
2. What must it have taken for the crippled woman to go to the synagogue?
3. What do you think the crippled woman expected?
4. What do you think Jesus’ touch meant to the woman He healed?
5. *What restrictions do we foolishly put on God’s work?
6. What good deeds do we sometimes restrict because of traditions or rules about Sunday?
7. What opportunities to free others from physical or emotional pain do you know about?
Apply It
1. *When can you evaluate your use of Sundays to make sure you allow for doing good?
2. What self-imposed rule or tradition do you need to modify to allow for God’s work?
3. How can you help or comfort a person in pain this week?
The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast—Luke 13:18–21
Topics: Beliefs, Believe, Faith, Growth, Kingdom of God/Heaven
Open It
1. *What is it like to plant something and watch it grow?
2. What happened the last time you goofed up following a recipe?
Explore It
1. To what did Jesus liken the kingdom of God? (13:18–20)
2. *How did the mustard seed start out? (13:19)
3. Where was the mustard seed planted? (13:19)
4. *What transformation did the mustard seed make? (13:19)
5. *From what can we infer that the tree became a substantial plant? (13:19)
6. What creatures came to live in the mustard tree’s branches? (13:19)
7. What contrast would Jesus’ listeners have noticed in the first parable? (13:19)
8. What did the woman add to the flour? (13:21)
9. What did the woman do with the yeast? (13:21)
10. What did the yeast do once added to the dough? (13:21)
Get It
1. What do a mustard seed and yeast have in common?
2. What does the mustard seed represent?
3. What does the yeast and dough represent?
4. *What makes a mustard seed a good illustration of God’s kingdom?
5. What makes yeast a good illustration of God’s kingdom?
6. In what way does each Christian make a small contribution to God’s kingdom?
7. *What do these two parables tell us about God’s kingdom?
Apply It
1. *What contribution to God’s kingdom can you make this week?
2. What can you do in the next day or two to nurture your faith?
The Narrow Door—Luke 13:22–30
Topics: Believe, Faith, Kingdom of God/Heaven, Salvation, Teaching
Open It
1. *In what areas of life do you tend to procrastinate?
2. How does it feel to miss a good opportunity?
3. What is it like when an important person whom you know acts as if you are a stranger?
Explore It
1. What was Jesus doing on His way to Jerusalem? (13:22)
2. What did someone ask Jesus? (13:23)
3. *According to Jesus, what is worth every effort to accomplish? (13:24)
4. *What happens once the door is shut? (13:25)
5. How will the owner of the house respond to those who want to go in after the door is shut? (13:25)
6. How will those left outside try to appeal to the owner? (13:26)
7. *How successful will attempts to enter the house be after the door is shut? (13:27)
8. What will those who cannot enter hear? (13:28)
9. What will those who cannot enter see? (13:28)
10. What will take place in the kingdom of God? (13:29)
11. How will the usual order be turned around? (13:30)
Get It
1. Why did someone ask how many would be saved?
2. *What does the narrow door represent?
3. *In what sense is the way to God narrow?
4. How does a person “enter through the narrow door”?
5. Who is the “owner of the house,” and why will he refuse entry to people?
6. When will it be too late for people to come to God?
7. Why do people put off coming to God?
8. When are you tempted to put off responding to God’s commands?
9. What do you think the feast in the kingdom of God will be like?
10. What was Jesus saying about human relationships when He said that the first will be last?
11. In what way is the first last and the last first?
12. How would the owner of the house respond to you?
13. Who is someone you want to introduce to Jesus before the door of opportunity closes?
Apply It
1. What can you do this week toward introducing someone to Jesus? How?
2. *What can you do to keep your beliefs and responses to God faithful to His Word?
Jesus’ Sorrow for Jerusalem—Luke 13:31–35
Topics: Blessing, Caring, Compassion, Murder, Prophecy, Sorrow
Open It
1. *What sort of goals do you make on a well-planned day?
2. What are some hopes or expectations you have for a close relative (such as a child, a spouse, or a sibling)?
3. With what images of Jesus are most people familiar?
Explore It
1. *Who came to Jesus? Why? (13:31)
2. *How was Jesus in danger? (13:31)
3. What did Jesus call Herod? (13:32)
4. What message did Jesus have for Herod? (13:32)
5. *What were Jesus’ goals? (13:32–33)
6. Why did Jesus have to go to Jerusalem? (13:33)
7. What had Jerusalem done to deserve Jesus’ condemnation? (13:34)
8. To what did Jesus compare His concern for Jerusalem? (13:34)
9. How did Jesus want to show His compassion for Jerusalem? (13:34)
10. What sad words did Jesus have for Jerusalem? (13:35)
11. When would Jerusalem see Jesus again? (13:35)
Get It
1. *What prompted the Pharisees to warn Jesus of Herod’s intentions?
2. *How was Jesus driven by His mission?
3. What does this passage tell us about God?
4. How does God show His care for us?
5. What is meaningful to you about the image of God as a mother hen?
6. What can we learn from Jesus’ clear sense of Himself and His future?
Apply It
1. *What step can you take this week to get a clearer sense of God’s goals for you?
2. What is one small way this week you can show compassion for your unbelieving friends?
Jesus at a Pharisee’s House—Luke 14:1–14
Topics: Handicapped, Healing, Honor, Humility, Invitation, Judging Others, Law, Miracles, Poor, Resurrection, Righteousness, Self-righteousness
Open It
1. *When have you attended a very formal dinner?
2. How does it feel to give a gift to someone who doesn’t expect it?
Explore It
1. Where did Jesus go to eat? (14:1)
2. Who else was present at the meal besides Jesus? (14:2–3)
3. Who asked the first question? (14:3)
4. What was the Pharisees’ and legal experts’ reply to Jesus’ question? (14:4)
5. What happened to the man with dropsy? (14:4)
6. Under what circumstance did the religious and legal experts allow work on the Sabbath? (14:5–6)
7. Why did Jesus tell a parable? (14:6–7)
8. *How did most people seat themselves at a wedding feast? (14:8)
9. What did Jesus command? (14:10)
10. How did Jesus communicate the value of humility? (14:11)
11. *Whom was the host not to invite to a luncheon or dinner? (14:12)
12. Whom did Jesus want people to invite to dinner? (14:13)
13. *In what way would the host be repaid? (14:14)
Get It
1. *How was the meal at the Pharisee’s a setup to trap Jesus?
2. What caused the religious and legal experts to be speechless?
3. *What does the wedding feast in the parable represent?
4. How important is position and title in your circles? Why?
5. What benefits could you realize by consistently making humble choices?
6. Why is it a blessing to invite those who cannot repay?
Apply It
1. *What steps can you take to lessen the importance of position, title, or other status symbols in your life?
2. What is something special you can do this week for someone who is unable to repay you in kind?
The Parable of the Great Banquet—Luke 14:15–24
Topics: Anger, Excuses, Handicapped, Invitation, Kingdom of God/Heaven, Preparation, Serving
Open It
1. *What kinds of excuses do you most resent others using?
2. How does it feel when you plan a big event and it is poorly attended?
Explore It
1. What was one person prompted to say when Jesus spoke of repayment for kindness to others? (14:15)
2. What did Jesus use to reply to the blessing He heard? (14:16)
3. What did the man in the parable do? (14:16)
4. How did the man let his guests know that the time for the banquet had arrived? (14:17)
5. How did the guests respond to the invitation? (14:18)
6. *What excuses did people make? (14:18–20)
7. *How did the master find out about the excuses? (14:21)
8. What was the master’s reaction to the excuses people made? (14:21)
9. Whom did the master invite to the banquet to replace the original invitees? (14:21)
10. What happened when all the other people came to the master’s banquet? (14:22)
11. How did the master ensure that the banquet hall would be full? (14:23)
12. *What was to become of the original guests? (14:24)
Get It
1. Why was the master justified in his anger at the guests who made excuses?
2. *What was wrong with the guests’ excuses?
3. How did the character of the banquet change, given the “new” guest list?
4. *How is the kingdom of God like this banquet?
5. In what ways do you identify with the different guests?
6. How does our responsibility to God correspond to the servant’s role?
Apply It
1. What is one way you can thank God this week for inviting you into His presence?
2. *Whom can you invite to the kingdom banquet? How?
The Cost of Being a Disciple—Luke 14:25–35
Topics: Affections, Discipline, Family, Foundation, Listening, Risk
Open It
1. *How have you counted the costs recently before tackling a project at home or at work?
2. How much do people take into account the potential reaction of others when planning something?
3. In what way can a project fail before it starts?
Explore It
1. Who was traveling with Jesus? (14:25)
2. What natural affections did Jesus denounce in favor of following Him? (14:26)
3. What does it take to be Jesus’ disciple? (14:27)
4. What should a person consider before building a tower? (14:28)
5. *What consequences result from not counting the cost before building? (14:29–30)
6. *How did a king determine his odds in a war? (14:31)
7. What would be the logical step if a king discovered his manpower was insufficient? (14:32)
8. When would a king send a delegation to another king? (14:32)
9. *How did Jesus use the examples of building a tower and preparing for war? (14:33)
10. What can be done with salt that has lost its saltiness? (14:34–35)
11. What phrase did Jesus use to compel the crowd to consider His words? (14:35)
Get It
1. What does it mean to “hate” your parents, wife, children, siblings, and your own life?
2. *How might the crowds have reacted to Jesus’ terms of discipleship?
3. How do most people react to Jesus’ terms of discipleship?
4. How possible do these conditions of discipleship seem to you now?
5. *What costs do we need to count in responding to Jesus?
6. What costs of following Jesus seem especially high to you?
7. Why is it worth paying the price to follow Jesus?
8. What are the properties of salt?
9. How are we like salt?
10. What is a person like who has lost his or her “saltiness”?
Apply It
1. *What relationships or other loyalties do you need to pray about to strengthen your loyalty to Jesus?
2. In what area of your life can you have a deliberate effect for Christ this week? How?
The Parable of the Lost Sheep—Luke 15:1–7
Topics: Hypocrisy, Reconciliation, Repentance, Restoration, Sin
Open It
1. What comes to mind when you hear the word “sinner”?
2. *As a child, when was a time you got lost from your family or a group?
Explore It
1. Who had gathered to hear Jesus? (15:1)
2. What were the Pharisees and teachers of the law doing? (15:2)
3. Why were the Pharisees and teachers of the law grumbling? (15:2)
4. What did Jesus do instead of directly rebuking the religious leaders? (15:3)
5. *What does a conscientious shepherd do when one of the flock is lost? (15:4)
6. How does a shepherd bring a lost sheep home? (15:5)
7. *What happens when a shepherd returns to his home and flock after finding a lost sheep? (15:6)
8. *How does heaven react when a sinner repents? (15:7)
9. What causes God to rejoice most? (15:7)
10. What kind of people do not need to repent? (15:7)
Get It
1. Why did the religious leaders miss the point of what Jesus’ ministry was about?
2. *Why did Jesus choose a parable about sheep to make His point?
3. How might the one sheep have gotten lost?
4. *In what ways do we go astray?
5. How does the picture of “rejoicing in heaven” over repentance make you feel?
6. In what situations are you most tempted to stray from God?
Apply It
1. *What can you do this week to help a fellow believer who may be straying from God’s ways?
2. What practical step can you take to avoid tempting situations?
The Parable of the Lost Coin—Luke 15:8–10
Topics: Caring, Joy, Repentance, Sin
Open It
1. What things of value have you lost or misplaced recently?
2. *What emotions do you feel when you find a valuable item that was lost?
Explore It
1. In the parable, what did the woman possess? (15:8)
2. *How do we know that the woman lost something valuable? (15:8)
3. What steps did the woman take to find her lost coin? (15:8)
4. *What did the woman do when she finally found the lost coin? (15:9)
5. Whom did the woman call together to share the news? (15:9)
6. *What emotions are obvious from the woman’s statement to her friends? (15:9)
7. What did the woman say to her friends? (15:9)
8. Where is there rejoicing? (15:10)
9. What causes angels to rejoice before God? (15:10)
10. How many repenting sinners does it take to cause heavenly rejoicing? (15:10)
Get It
1. *What value did the woman place on each coin?
2. Whom do the friends and neighbors represent?
3. Why did the woman look so hard for the lost coin?
4. What can we learn about God from this parable?
5. What does God consider important?
6. What is a “sinner who repents”?
7. Why does God care so much about repentant sinners?
8. *How is a repentant sinner like a found coin?
9. In what ways does God’s value of people differ from ours?
Apply It
1. When can you thank God this week for His patience and persistence in restoring you to Him? How?
2. *With whom do you want to share the news of God’s persistent love? How can you?
The Parable of the Lost Son—Luke 15:11–32
Topics: Bitterness, Celebration, Compassion, Family, Forgiveness, Greed, Jealousy, Judging Others, Love, Salvation, Wealth
Open It
1. *In what way did you and your siblings compete with each other?
2. How do you feel when other people get rewards greater than they deserve?
3. How do you normally react when you feel you have been treated unfairly?
Explore It
1. What did the younger son ask his father to do? (15:12–13)
2. What did the younger son do after arriving in the distant country? (15:13)
3. How did the younger son live once he was out on his own? (15:13–20)
4. Why did the younger son have to hire himself out for work? (15:14–15)
5. What made the younger son decide to return home? (15:17–19)
6. *How did the father respond to the younger son’s return home? (15:20)
7. *Why did the father call for a celebration? (15:22–24)
8. What was wrong with the older brother’s reaction to his brother’s return? (15:25–32)
9. How did the older son respond to his brother’s return and the celebration afterward? (15:28)
10. *What complaints did the older brother bring to his father? (15:29–30)
11. Why did the father want the older brother to be happy? (15:31–32)
Get It
1. What does the forgiving love of the father in this story represent?
2. How have you been like the prodigal son in this story?
3. When have you been like the older brother?
4. From whom do we tend to withhold mercy?
5. What people do you tend to think don’t deserve God’s mercy?
6. How have you personally experienced the forgiving love of the Father?
7. *What causes us to harbor resentment when mercy is shown to someone else?
8. What should we do when a vile person wants to be forgiven?
9. How should we react when a person comes to know Christ?
10. *How can you show compassion for those who have not believed in Christ?
11. What could you do to thank God for His amazing love for you?
12. What responsibility do you have to your unbelieving friends?
13. What does this parable reveal to you about the Lord’s love?
Apply It
1. How can you guard yourself against feeling resentment when God shows mercy to people you think don’t deserve it?
2. How can you show acceptance to someone who doesn’t seem to deserve it? When?
3. *To what “undeserving” person can you extend God’s love and forgiveness this week? How?
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager—Luke 16:1–15
Topics: Devotion, Dishonesty, Eternal Life, God, Heart, Loyalty, Money, Resources, Serving, Wealth
Open It
1. *How is a shrewd businessperson viewed in our society today?
2. In what ways does our culture pressure us to love money?
3. How can the love of money hurt a person?
Explore It
1. How did the rich man respond to the manager who was “wasting his possessions”? (16:1–2)
2. Why was the manager scared to lose his job? (16:3)
3. *What plan did the manager devise to secure his future? (16:4–7)
4. *How did the rich master react to the dishonest dealings of the manager? (16:8)
5. Who are the “people of light” to whom Jesus referred? (16:8)
6. *How does Jesus want us to use money? (16:9)
7. What main principle should govern the way we use our resources? (16:10–12)
8. Why is it impossible to serve two masters? (16:13)
9. Why were the Pharisees upset with Jesus’ teaching? (16:14)
10. How did the Pharisees “justify” themselves? (16:15)
11. How does God judge people? (16:15)
12. What does God think of the things that we typically value? (16:15)
Get It
1. What did Jesus mean when He said, “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves”?
2. *Why is it so difficult to keep a proper perspective on money?
3. *How do you think God wants you to change the way you handle your resources?
4. How can we be sure that we will be “welcomed into eternal dwellings”?
5. How can you become more trustworthy in handling the money and things that God has given you?
6. How do you need to change your attitude toward your wealth?
7. What can you do to demonstrate your devotion to the Lord?
Apply It
1. *What can you do during this next week to become a better steward of the resources God has given you?
2. During the next few weeks, what is one way you can use money to serve others and show them the love of God?
3. During the next few weeks, what is one way you can live more simply?
Additional Teachings—Luke 16:16–18
Topics: Adultery, Good News, Kingdom of God/Heaven, Law, Prophecy, Teaching
Open It
1. *What attitudes does our culture have toward divorce?
2. How does our society view adultery?
3. What messages do the media communicate to us about the issues of adultery and divorce?
Explore It
1. What two eras did John the Baptist’s ministry divide? (16:16)
2. What changed after the ministry of John the Baptist? (16:16)
3. What was being preached? (16:16)
4. Who was “forcing his way” into the kingdom of God? (16:16)
5. What is easier than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law? (16:17)
6. Why did Jesus emphasize the importance of the Law? (16:17)
7. *What relation does the section on divorce have to the previous verses about the Law? (16:18)
8. *What two conditions constitute adultery? (16:18)
9. *How does Jesus view divorce? (16:18)
10. How has Jesus’ life changed the importance of the Law? (16:16–18)
Get It
1. What responsibility do you have to obey God’s Law?
2. What difference does it make that Jesus’ ministry was a perfect fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets?
3. How are people’s responses to the good news different today than in Jesus’ time?
4. *What should be our attitude toward divorce?
5. *How do you think Jesus would want you to treat Christians who are divorced?
6. In what ways has our obedience to the commands of Christ resembled the hypocrisy of the Pharisees?
7. What attitude should we have toward God’s Law today?
8. If you have been hypocritical in your strict adherence to the letter of the law, what can you do to increase your commitment to the spirit of the law?
Apply It
1. What can you do this week to renew your obedience to the commands of Jesus in your everyday life?
2. *What could you do to help a person who is experiencing marriage difficulties?
The Rich Man and Lazarus—Luke 16:19–31
Topics: Angels, Death, Eternal Life, Heaven, Hell, Judgment, Punishment, Suffering, Wealth
Open It
1. *What do you imagine heaven and hell will be like?
2. What do your friends and coworkers imagine heaven and hell will be like?
Explore It
1. How did Jesus describe the rich man in the story? (16:19)
2. What does the story tell us about Lazarus? (16:20)
3. What role did angels play in this story? (16:22)
4. Where did the angels take Lazarus? (16:22)
5. What difference did the rich man’s wealth make in his eternal destiny? (16:22–23)
6. *What does this parable reveal about heaven and hell? (16:22–31)
7. *What did the rich man see from his place in hell? (16:23)
8. How did Abraham respond to the request of the rich man? (16:25)
9. *What was the other reason why Lazarus could not help the rich man? (16:26)
10. Why did the rich man want Lazarus to go to his father’s house on earth? (16:27–28)
11. Why did Abraham say that Moses and the Prophets should be enough for the rich man’s brothers? (16:29, 31)
12. What did the rich man think was necessary to convince his brothers to believe? (16:30)
Get It
1. If Christians believe in the reality of hell, what do you think stops them from sharing their faith with others?
2. What do you think prevents people from accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ?
3. How does this story affect your understanding of the afterlife?
4. What have you learned from this parable about the eternal value of material possessions?
5. *What things do you think have eternal value?
6. *What could you do to be less concerned with earthly things and more devoted to things that have eternal significance?
7. How would this Scripture passage encourage Christians who are sick, poor, or disadvantaged?
8. How can we gain confidence in our eternal security?
9. Why does God not always provide miracles to help people believe in Him?
10. How has this parable changed your attitude toward witnessing to unbelievers?
Apply It
1. In the next few days, how can you demonstrate your thankfulness to the Lord for His provision of eternal life?
2. *How many people like Lazarus do you know who could benefit from your compassion today?
Sin, Faith, Duty—Luke 17:1–10
Topics: Dedication, Faith, Forgiveness, Humility, Repentance, Serving, Sin, Temptation
Open It
1. How do you feel after you have done something good for another person?
2. What expectations do we usually have when we help someone?
3. *What makes it difficult to forgive a person who has wronged you?
Explore It
1. What did Jesus say about people who tempt others to sin? (17:1)
2. Who are the “little ones” Jesus cares so much about? (17:2)
3. *What advice did Jesus give His disciples about how to react when others sin against them? (17:3–4)
4. According to Jesus, how often were His disciples to forgive those who sinned? (17:4)
5. *What principle of forgiveness was Jesus promoting? (17:4)
6. What did the disciples ask Jesus to do? (17:5)
7. *Why did the disciples think more faith would help them forgive in the way that Jesus instructed? (17:5)
8. How much faith is needed to do great things? (17:6)
9. Why was Jesus’ example of the mustard seed so startling? (17:6)
10. Why did Jesus tell the story of the servant and the master? (17:7–9)
11. In the parable, whom do the master and the servant represent? (17:7–9)
12. What attitude should we have in working for the Lord? (17:10)
Get It
1. How can we guard against tempting others to sin?
2. What should you do if you discover that you have encouraged another believer to sin?
3. *When have you found it difficult to forgive someone?
4. *What can you do to increase your faith so that you will be able to forgive in the way Christ requires?
5. What is our “duty” as Christians?
6. Why is a spirit of humility important for a Christian’s witness?
7. What attitudes and actions indicate a spirit of humility?
Apply It
1. What relationship can you work toward healing this week? How?
2. *To what person do you need to demonstrate forgiveness?
3. What “duty” would the Lord urge you to fulfill this next week?
Ten Healed of Leprosy—Luke 17:11–19
Topics: Criticism, Faith, Healing, Miracles, Praise, Thankfulness
Open It
1. For what are you most thankful?
2. *How would you react if you were suddenly healed of a disease or sickness?
Explore It
1. Where did the events of this story take place? (17:11)
2. Who met Jesus as He entered the village? (17:12)
3. *What did the ten men want from Jesus? (17:13)
4. How did the men refer to Jesus? (17:13)
5. How did Jesus respond to the ten men? (17:14)
6. *What happened to the men as they went to show themselves to the priest? (17:14)
7. What did one of the ten do that the others did not? (17:15)
8. *How did one man express his thankfulness to Jesus? (17:15–16)
9. What difference did it make that the man who thanked Jesus was a Samaritan? (17:16,18)
10. How did Jesus respond to the one man who returned? (17:17–19)
11. What did Jesus tell the man about his faith? (17:19)
Get It
1. What does this story say about the importance of thanking Jesus?
2. What difference does faith make in your life?
3. *How does Jesus want you to respond to the work He performs in your life?
4. What prevents us from praising the Lord for His blessings?
5. When have you ever failed to thank the Lord for something He did for you?
6. When is it difficult to say thank you to God?
7. How can you remind yourself to thank God throughout each day?
8. Why does God desire our praise?
9. *What should we do when we need physical or spiritual healing from the Lord?
10. Why is faith necessary for spiritual healing?
Apply It
1. *About what will you praise the Lord more faithfully this week that you have neglected to notice in the past?
2. Who is one person you could tell today about the great things God has done for you?
The Coming of the Kingdom of God—Luke 17:20–37
Topics: Jesus Christ, Kingdom of God/Heaven, Life, Prophecy, Second Coming, Suffering
Open It
1. *What would you do if you were told you only had a few months left to live?
2. Why does the topic of death often make us feel uneasy?
Explore It
1. Who prompted Jesus to begin to talk about the kingdom of God? (17:20)
2. What prompted Jesus to say, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation”? (17:20–21)
3. Where is the kingdom of God? (17:21)
4. What did Jesus tell His disciples they would long to see? (17:22)
5. *How did Jesus describe what the days of the Son of Man will be like? (17:24–30)
6. What do the days of Noah and Lot have in common with the days of the Son of Man? (17:26–29)
7. *What warning did Jesus give to those present on the day of the Son of Man? (17:31)
8. *What will happen to the person who attempts to keep his life? (17:33)
9. What “phenomenon” will affect people on the day of the Son of Man? (17:34–35)
10. What would gather where there is a dead body? (17:37)
Get It
1. *How would you describe your readiness for Christ’s Second Coming?
2. For what reason did Jesus warn, “Remember Lot’s wife”?
3. What should we remember about Lot’s wife?
4. How can you follow Jesus’ instruction to “Remember Lot’s wife”?
5. *What can you do to guard yourself against clinging too closely to your earthly life?
6. How does Jesus want us to view our earthly lives?
7. Practically speaking, how could Jesus’ teaching about losing your life make a difference in your daily routine?
Apply It
1. *What people could you pray for this week who are still trying to keep their own life?
2. This week, what is one way you can loosen your attachment to this life?
3. How can you reaffirm your commitment to follow Jesus whatever the cost?
The Parable of the Persistent Widow—Luke 18:1–8
Topics: Faith, Faithfulness, Justice, Perseverance, Prayer
Open It
1. In what circumstances is persistence beneficial?
2. *When was a time your persistence paid off?
Explore It
1. What was Jesus’ purpose in telling His disciples this parable? (18:1)
2. How did Jesus describe the judge in the story? (18:2)
3. Why was the woman in the story especially helpless? (18:3)
4. *What did the woman need from the judge? (18:3)
5. *Why did the judge finally give in to the woman’s request? (18:4–5)
6. Why should we take note of how the unjust judge responded to persistence? (18:6)
7. *How will God’s actions differ from those of the unjust judge? (18:7)
8. What can Christians expect from God? (18:7)
9. What promise does this parable offer to Christians? (18:8)
10. What did Jesus ask about? (18:8)
11. To what kind of faith did Jesus refer at the end of this passage? (18:8)
Get It
1. *Why do people stop praying?
2. *What does it mean to be persistent in our prayers?
3. How should we respond when we do not see our prayers answered?
4. How can we be sure we are praying for things that are within the will of God?
5. What can Christians do to increase their trust in God’s desire to answer prayer?
6. What does this parable teach you about what your prayer life should be like?
7. How do your prayer habits need to change?
8. What justice do you need to see administered in your life or the lives of others?
9. How can you guard against the temptation to give up praying when you do not see immediate results?
Apply It
1. What changes in your daily routine can you make that will enable you to pray more persistently?
2. *For what need or concern will you commit to praying persistently?
3. What fellow believer could you ask to hold you accountable for praying more persistently?
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector—Luke 18:9–14
Topics: Confidence, Fasting, Forgiveness, Humility, Mercy, Prayer, Pride, Righteousness
Open It
1. *How does it feel to be in the presence of someone markedly better than you at what you do best?
2. What feelings or attitudes do you have toward proud people?
3. How does our society regard the quality of humility?
Explore It
1. To whom did Jesus tell this parable? (18:9)
2. Why did Jesus tell this parable? (18:9)
3. Who were the two men described in the story? (18:10)
4. What did the Pharisee do? (18:11)
5. *What motivated the Pharisee to pray? (18:11)
6. How did the Pharisee pray? (18:11–12)
7. Why was the Pharisee confident in his own righteousness? (18:11–12)
8. Why did the tax collector stand at a distance? (18:13)
9. What does the tax collector’s posture reveal about his own attitude? (18:13)
10. What prompted the tax collector to pray? (18:13)
11. How did the tax collector pray? (18:13)
12. *What difference did it make how these men prayed? (18:14)
13. What does it mean that one man was justified and the other wasn’t? (18:14)
14. What principle did Jesus stress? (18:14)
Get It
1. What reputations did Pharisees and tax collectors have in Bible times?
2. What kind of people were Pharisees and tax collectors?
3. Who would be examples of “Pharisees” and “tax collectors” in our society today?
4. How do we judge people according to outward appearances?
5. How important are outward appearances in our culture today?
6. *How do you approach God in your prayers?
7. What does this parable teach us about our prayer habits?
8. What enables us to be confident before God?
9. In whose righteousness should we have confidence?
10. In what circumstance have you wrongly exalted yourself?
11. *Why does God honor the prayers of a humble person?
Apply It
1. *What specific steps can you take this week to cultivate a spirit of humility?
2. In what area of your life do you want to combat a tendency to exalt yourself instead of Christ?
The Little Children and Jesus—Luke 18:15–17
Topics: Children, Disagreements, Jesus Christ, Kingdom of God/Heaven
Open It
1. *When you were a child, who made you feel most accepted? How?
2. What does it feel like to be rejected by others?
3. In general, how does our society treat children?
Explore It
1. Why were people bringing babies to Jesus? (18:15)
2. *How did the disciples respond to what the parents were doing? (18:15)
3. What was it about Jesus that motivated parents to bring their children to Him? (18:15–16)
4. Why did the disciples rebuke those who were bringing their babies to Jesus? (18:15)
5. How did Jesus react to His disciples’ attitudes? (18:16)
6. *How did Jesus treat the children? (18:16)
7. What did Jesus say about the children? (18:16)
8. *Why should we receive the kingdom of God like a child? (18:17)
9. What will happen to those who do not receive the kingdom “like a little child”? (18:17)
Get It
1. What can we learn from this passage about the character of Jesus?
2. How can you imitate the qualities Jesus showed in this story?
3. What can we learn from the negative example of the disciples?
4. *What childlike qualities do we need to enter the kingdom of God?
5. What can you do to cultivate your trust and dependence on the Lord?
6. What does this passage reveal about how we need to change?
7. *What hinders us from having the childlike qualities that God wants us to have?
8. How can you combat the tendency to depend on yourself rather than God?
Apply It
1. *What is one childlike quality that you want to cultivate this week? How?
2. What is one way you can show love and compassion toward children?
The Rich Ruler—Luke 18:18–30
Topics: Eternal Life, Family, Greed, Home, Kingdom of God/Heaven, Law, Money, Wealth
Open It
1. *What is the best example of “materialism” that you can think of?
2. In what ways would your life change if you lost all you had, including your job?
3. What do you think of “the American dream”?
Explore It
1. What did the ruler ask Jesus? (18:18)
2. What does the wording of the ruler’s question reveal about his attitude? (18:18)
3. How did Jesus respond to the ruler’s question? (18:19)
4. Of what did Jesus remind the ruler? (18:20)
5. What does the ruler’s response to Jesus reveal about his character? (18:21)
6. *What did the ruler lack? (18:22)
7. Why did Jesus advise this man to sell all he had, especially when He did not require this of others? (18:22)
8. *How did the ruler respond to Jesus’ instructions? (18:23)
9. How did the man’s wealth interfere with his eternal salvation? (18:23)
10. *What was the rich man’s problem? (18:24–25)
11. How did Jesus’ listeners respond to Jesus’ harsh words? (18:26)
12. What did Jesus reveal about how a person can inherit eternal life? (18:27)
13. What did Jesus teach about sacrifice? (18:29–30)
Get It
1. What prevents people today from following Christ?
2. Why did Jesus tell the rich man that “no one is good—except God alone”?
3. How did the rich man’s money hurt him?
4. How can money interfere with our commitments?
5. *How do you need to change your attitude toward money or your financial practices?
6. *What specific sacrifice do you think Jesus would ask of you if you asked Him, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
7. How might a person leave “home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God”?
8. What person you know has left “home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God”? How?
9. What rewards could someone who left home for the kingdom of God expect?
10. What difference does it make to you to know that you will receive great eternal rewards for the sacrifices you make for Christ during this lifetime?
Apply It
1. *What is one sacrifice God is calling you to make?
2. How can you remind yourself of the benefits of following Christ each day?
Jesus Again Predicts His Death—Luke 18:31–34
Topics: Death, Future, Ignorance, Jesus Christ, Prophecy, Resurrection, Sacrifice, Suffering, Understanding
Open It
1. What expectations do you have of your friends?
2. What sacrifices would you be willing to make for a friend?
3. *When have you ever had to suffer for a friend?
Explore It
1. To whom was Jesus speaking? (18:31)
2. *Where were the disciples and Jesus planning to go? (18:31)
3. To whom was Jesus referring when He spoke of the “Son of Man”? (18:31)
4. What did Jesus reveal to the disciples about the future? (18:31–32)
5. Why did Jesus take the Twelve aside from the crowds to tell them about certain events? (18:31)
6. How did Jesus describe what would happen? (18:32)
7. *To whom would the Son of Man be handed over? (18:32)
8. How would the Gentiles treat the Son of Man? (18:32)
9. *What did Jesus predict would happen after the Son of Man was killed by the Gentiles? (18:33)
10. Why did Jesus reveal details of the future to His disciples? (18:31–33)
11. How did the disciples respond to Jesus’ prediction of the future? (18:34)
12. What prevented the disciples from understanding what Jesus explained to them? (18:34)
Get It
1. What can we learn from this passage about the character of Christ?
2. What does this passage reveal about the relationship between Jesus and His disciples?
3. How important is it to you to know that Jesus predicted everything that would happen to Him?
4. *How does it make you feel to know that Jesus was willing to suffer a great deal just for you?
5. *How should you respond to Jesus’ willingness to sacrifice for you?
6. Why do we sometimes not understand the clear voice of God?
7. What prevents us from listening to the Lord?
8. What could we do to become more sensitive to the leading of God in our lives?
Apply It
1. *In what way could you imitate in your personal relationships the Lord’s willingness to suffer for you?
2. What do you need to do in the next few days to be more sensitive to the Lord’s instructions?
A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight—Luke 18:35–43
Topics: Blindness, Faith, Healing, Jesus Christ, Mercy, Miracles, Persistence, Praise
Open It
1. Why do you think peer pressure is so powerful?
2. What does it feel like to be criticized by other people?
3. *In what circumstances does the criticism of others not matter to you?
Explore It
1. Where did this event take place? (18:35)
2. What was the man by the roadside doing? (18:35)
3. How did the blind man know that something unusual was happening? (18:36)
4. How did the blind man know who Jesus was? (18:37–38)
5. How did the blind man respond to the situation? (18:38)
6. *How did the crowd respond to the blind man’s actions? (18:39)
7. *What did the blind man do in response to the criticism of the crowd? (18:39)
8. How did Jesus respond to the blind man? (18:40)
9. If Jesus could see that the man was blind, why did He ask the man what he wanted? (18:41)
10. Why did Jesus heal the blind man? (18:42)
11. What role did the blind man’s faith play in his healing? (18:42)
12. *How did the blind man and the crowds respond to the miracle Jesus performed? (18:43)
Get It
1. What can we learn from this passage about persistence in prayer?
2. *What can we learn from the blind man in this account?
3. How is faith involved in Jesus’ miracles?
4. In what settings do you experience group pressure?
5. How should you respond to group pressure?
6. *In what situations should you not be concerned about the criticism of others?
7. In what way do we all need healing from the Lord?
8. Why do you think God heals some people and not others?
9. How should you respond to the Lord’s healing touch in your life or in the life of another believer?
Apply It
1. For what do you want to praise God today?
2. *What can you do this week to respond more appropriately to the criticism of others?
3. What steps can you take to be persistent in your prayers this week?
Zacchaeus the Tax Collector—Luke 19:1–10
Topics: Dishonesty, Gossip, Judging Others, Repentance, Salvation, Wealth
Open It
1. How has gossip affected you in the past?
2. Why do people pay attention to tabloids?
3. Why do you think people pay attention to gossip and rumors?
4. *Who are the despised and disrespected people in our society today?
Explore It
1. Where did the events of this story take place? (19:1)
2. *How did Luke describe Zacchaeus? (19:2)
3. What problem did Zacchaeus have? (19:3)
4. How did Zacchaeus solve his problem? (19:4)
5. What did Jesus say to Zacchaeus? (19:5)
6. How did Zacchaeus respond to Jesus’ request? (19:6)
7. What do Zacchaeus’ actions reveal about his character? (19:6, 8)
8. *Why did the crowds begin to mutter and gossip among themselves? (19:7)
9. What reputation did Zacchaeus have in Jericho? (19:7)
10. What changes did Zacchaeus make in his life in response to Jesus’ interest in him? (19:8)
11. *How had salvation come to Zacchaeus’ house? (19:9)
12. How is the concluding verse of this passage significant? (19:10)
Get It
1. How does a person’s reputation affect our opinion of them?
2. *If we want to share our faith with someone, how much attention should we pay to their status and reputation?
3. What’s wrong with gossiping?
4. What responsibility do we have to help people of bad reputation?
5. What do the actions of Zacchaeus reveal about the power of God to change hearts?
6. *How can we guard against the temptation to judge others?
Apply It
1. In what settings will you most need to guard yourself from the temptation to gossip this week?
2. *With what person of bad reputation or low status could you share your company and God’s love?
The Parable of the Ten Minas—Luke 19:11–27
Topics: Accountability, Expectations, Judgment, Kingdom of God/Heaven, Leadership, Money, Punishment, Resources, Responsibility, Rewards, Serving
Open It
1. What does the word “stewardship” bring to mind?
2. How would you describe a responsible person?
3. Who is the most responsible person you know?
4. *In what areas of your own life would you say you are the most responsible?
Explore It
1. For what reason did Jesus choose to tell this parable? (19:11)
2. What false expectations did Jesus’ followers have? (19:11)
3. In the parable, why did the man of noble birth go to a distant country? (19:12)
4. Whom do the king, the servants, and the subjects represent in this parable? (19:12–27)
5. For what reason did the man call together ten of his servants? (19:13)
6. *What did the man want his servants to do with the money he gave them? (19:13)
7. How did the people react to their new king? (19:14)
8. After his return, why did the king send for his servants? (19:15)
9. *What did the first two servants do with the money the king entrusted to them? (19:16–18)
10. How did the king respond to the first two servants? (19:17–19)
11. What did the third servant think of the king? (19:20–21)
12. How did the third servant’s feelings for his king affect his actions? (19:20–21)
13. How did the king treat the third servant? (19:22–24)
14. *What principle summarizes the parable? (19:26)
15. Why did the king punish so severely those who did not want him to be king? (19:27)
Get It
1. What does this parable teach us about stewardship?
2. *What responsibilities and gifts has Jesus given you?
3. What can you do to develop and use the abilities God has already given you?
4. How do you need to change your attitude toward your talents?
5. *What can we learn from this parable about neglecting to obey the truth that we already know?
6. Why is it dangerous to neglect the truth we know about God?
7. How can you be a better steward of what God has already given you?
8. What can you expect from the Lord if you use your resources for His glory?
Apply It
1. *What can you do to remind yourself of the responsibilities that God has entrusted to you?
2. How can you use your spiritual gifts and abilities for the Lord in the next few days?
The Triumphal Entry—Luke 19:28–44
Topics: Compassion, Criticism, Joy, Miracles, Praise, Prophecy
Open It
1. When have you seen a famous person?
2. Whom do you look up to the most? Why?
3. *How do people commonly show admiration for famous people?
Explore It
1. Where did the events of this story take place? (19:28–29)
2. Where did Jesus send two of His disciples? (19:30)
3. What specific instructions did Jesus give two of His disciples? (19:30–31)
4. What happened to the disciples who went ahead into the village? (19:32–34)
5. Why did Jesus choose to ride into the city on a colt? (19:35)
6. *How did people react to Jesus’ entrance into the city? (19:36–37)
7. Why did all of the disciples begin to praise God? (19:37)
8. *In what way were the words of the disciples’ praises significant? (19:38)
9. Why were the Pharisees in the crowd upset? (19:39)
10. *How did Jesus respond to the Pharisees’ rebuke? (19:40)
11. How did Jesus react when He saw the city of Jerusalem? (19:41)
12. In what way did the people of Jerusalem miss a golden opportunity? (19:44)
Get It
1. *What does this passage teach us about Jesus’ regard for celebrity status?
2. What can we learn from the example of the disciples in this account?
3. *What has the Lord done for you recently that causes you to praise Him?
4. When do we tend to neglect to praise the Lord as He deserves?
5. What can we learn from Jesus’ words about and feelings toward Jerusalem in this passage?
6. What responsibility do we have toward non-Christians?
Apply It
1. How can you imitate Christ’s compassion for unsaved people this week?
2. *How can you voice your praise to the Lord today for all that He has done for you?
Jesus at the Temple—Luke 19:45–48
Topics: Anger, Church, Dishonesty, Judgment, Popularity, Prayer
Open It
1. *When was a time you felt justified in being angry?
2. What makes you really angry?
Explore It
1. Where did the events of this story take place? (19:45)
2. *What did Jesus do in the temple area? (19:45)
3. Who was plotting to kill Jesus? (19:45–47)
4. What attitude did Jesus have toward the merchants in the temple area? (19:46)
5. Why did Jesus quote Scripture? (19:46)
6. *What did Jesus accuse the merchants of doing? (19:46)
7. How had the temple area been misused? (19:46)
8. *What was the real purpose of the temple? (19:46)
9. Why did the religious leaders want to kill Jesus? (19:47)
10. Why were the religious leaders unable to carry out their plot? (19:48)
11. How did the people respond to Jesus’ teaching in the temple? (19:48)
Get It
1. *What can we learn about God from this passage?
2. In what way is a church like the temple of Jesus’ day?
3. In what way can a church be made a “den of robbers”?
4. *How can we guard against misusing the church for our own purposes?
5. What made people hang on Jesus’ words?
6. What ungodly practices make you angry?
7. How should we respond to abuses of God’s Word or His church?
8. When might anger lead someone to sin?
Apply It
1. *What can you do to prepare for a worshipful experience in church next week?
2. In what ways would your daily prayer life be helped by “hanging on the words” of Jesus this week?
The Authority of Jesus Questioned—Luke 20:1–8
Topics: Authority, Deceit, Hypocrisy, Jesus Christ, Questions, Wisdom
Open It
1. How do you react to other people’s hypocrisy?
2. *When has someone questioned authority that you rightfully possessed?
Explore It
1. Where did the events of this story take place? (20:1)
2. What was Jesus doing in the temple courts? (20:1)
3. Who approached Jesus while He was preaching in the temple? (20:1)
4. *What question did the religious leaders ask Jesus? (20:2)
5. How was Jesus put to the test? (20:2)
6. *In what way were the actions of the religious leaders hypocritical? (20:2–7)
7. Why did Jesus answer the religious leaders’ question with another question? (20:3)
8. What was it about Jesus’ question that stumped the religious leaders? (20:5–6)
9. How did the crowds’ beliefs affect the religious leaders’ willingness to answer Jesus’ question? (20:6)
10. *How did the leaders respond to Jesus’ question? (20:7)
11. In what way did Jesus demonstrate His wisdom? (20:8)
Get It
1. What motivated the religious leaders to ask their question?
2. *By whose authority was Jesus able to teach, preach, and perform miracles?
3. Why didn’t Jesus answer the religious leaders’ question?
4. What is wrong with the advice, “Do what I say, not what I do”?
5. How can we guard against hypocrisy?
6. When has fear of others kept you from speaking honestly about Christ?
7. *When have you questioned God’s authority in a particular area in your life?
8. What traits did the religious leaders possess that followers of Jesus should not possess?
Apply It
1. In what settings do you need to put forth extra effort to be completely honest and forthright in all your dealings with people?
2. *In the next few days, how can you rely on Jesus’ authority and wisdom?
The Parable of the Tenants—Luke 20:9–19
Topics: Criticism, Enemies, Hardheartedness, Jesus Christ, Mediator, Peer Pressure, Prophecy, Punishment, Unfairness
Open It
1. *Why do you think stories often communicate better than lectures?
2. How has peer pressure ever affected your actions?
Explore It
1. *Why did Jesus choose to tell the people a parable in this situation? (20:9, 19)
2. What are the main points of the parable Jesus told? (20:9–16)
3. Whom does the man who planted the vineyard represent? (20:9)
4. Whom do the servants the owner sent to the vineyard represent? (20:10–12)
5. How were the servants treated? (20:10–12)
6. Whom do the tenants in the story represent? (20:10, 19)
7. Why did the owner send his son to the vineyard? (20:13)
8. What is the inheritance to which the tenants referred? (20:14)
9. How will the owner of the vineyard respond to the terrible actions of the tenants? (20:16)
10. *How did the people listening to Jesus respond to the parable? (20:16)
11. What is the meaning of the Scripture that Jesus quoted? (20:17–18)
12. *How did the religious leaders react to Jesus’ teaching? (20:19)
13. How did the mood of the people affect the actions of the religious leaders? (20:19)
Get It
1. In what ways can the threat of criticism affect our decisions?
2. *What does this parable tell us about the fate that awaits those who reject Jesus as the Messiah?
3. How does this passage motivate you to share your faith with unbelievers?
4. Who are the servants of Christ?
5. *In what ways have people not treated the servants of Christ properly?
6. How does God want us to treat those who serve Him and spread the message of Christ?
7. What will God do to people who mistreat His servants?
8. How can we avoid letting the crowd make our decisions for us?
Apply It
1. *What people could you reach this week with the news of God’s mercy? How?
2. Over the next few days, what can you do to support or encourage a person devoted to telling others about Christ?
Paying Taxes to Caesar—Luke 20:20–26
Topics: Deceit, Dishonesty, Government, Hypocrisy, Jesus Christ, Money, Questions, Silence, Truth, Wisdom
Open It
1. What is the general attitude in our country toward government?
2. *When was the last time someone tried to deceive you?
3. What do your friends and coworkers think about having to pay taxes?
Explore It
1. Who sent the spies? (20:19–20)
2. *Why did the religious leaders send spies? (20:20)
3. Why did the religious leaders want to hand Jesus over to the governor? (20:20)
4. What did the spies do to trap Jesus? (20:21)
5. How did the spies demonstrate hypocrisy? (20:21)
6. *In what way was the question the spies asked a trick question? (20:22)
7. What did Jesus think of the spies? (20:23)
8. *How did Jesus respond to the spies’ question? (20:24)
9. How was Jesus’ response a show of His wisdom? (20:24–25)
10. Why were the spies astonished by Jesus’ answer? (20:26)
Get It
1. How might you have responded to the spies’ question?
2. *When have you been asked difficult or misleading questions by people hostile to Christianity?
3. How did the spies use flattery?
4. Why do we like to be flattered?
5. Why do we flatter others?
6. In what way do we need to guard against flattery?
7. *What does this passage reveal about Jesus’ wisdom?
8. What belongs to the government that we should give to it?
9. How would you define your responsibility to the government?
10. When should a Christian go against the demands of the government?
11. What responsibility do you think we have to obey the laws of the government?
12. Jesus taught us to “give to God what is God’s”; what importance does this statement have for you?
13. What belongs to God that we should give to Him?
14. What have you held back from the Lord that you are now willing to commit to Him?
Apply It
1. *What preparations can you make for the tough questions that you will encounter as a follower of Christ?
2. In what situations this week do you want to make a conscious effort to avoid flattery?
3. What obligations to the government do you need to fulfill?
4. How can you obey more fully this week Christ’s command to “give to God what is God’s”?
The Resurrection and Marriage—Luke 20:27–40
Topics: Angels, Children, Death, Life, Marriage, Questions, Resurrection, Wisdom
Open It
1. What do you imagine happens to us after death?
2. Why do you think there is so much confusion and controversy about the afterlife in our world today?
3. *How have your beliefs in the afterlife changed over the years?
Explore It
1. How did Luke describe the Sadducees? (20:27)
2. Why did the Sadducees approach Jesus? (20:27)
3. *What was the main point of the lengthy story the Sadducees told Jesus? (20:28–33)
4. What controversial question did the Sadducees want Jesus to answer? (20:33)
5. How did Jesus respond to the Sadducees’ question? (20:34–35)
6. What is the “age” to which Jesus referred? (20:35)
7. Who is “considered worthy”? (20:35)
8. *In the age to come, what did Jesus promise to those who take part in the resurrection of the dead? (20:36)
9. Who is like the angels? (20:36)
10. For what reason did Jesus refer to Moses? (20:37)
11. How did Jesus describe God? (20:37–38)
12. *Why did Jesus describe God as “the God of the living”? (20:38)
13. Why did people stop asking Jesus questions? (20:40)
Get It
1. How can we guard against misinterpreting Scripture, as the Sadducees did in Jesus’ day?
2. In what ways can academic or speculative questions hinder our seeking after God?
3. Why should we believe in the resurrection of the dead?
4. *What makes belief in the resurrection an important Christian belief?
5. How should we respond to the death of a loved one who was a Christian?
6. Why do you think there will be no marriage in heaven?
7. *How should the promise of eternal life affect your everyday actions?
Apply It
1. *Whom can you encourage with the truth of the resurrection? How?
2. What younger or less knowledgeable Christian could you instruct this week? How?
3. What can you do this week to prepare for people’s tough religious questions?
Whose Son Is the Christ?—Luke 20:41–47
Topics: Advice, Doctrine, Jesus Christ, Judgment, Pride, Punishment
Open It
1. *What importance do the people with whom you work place on status and power?
2. What are people willing to do to gain recognition and respect?
3. What are some of the trappings of high status?
Explore It
1. What dilemma did Jesus set before His listeners? (20:41)
2. What was Jesus revealing to His listeners about His own identity? (20:41–44)
3. For what reason does Jesus quote the words of David to His listeners? (20:42–43)
4. How does David refer to the Christ? (20:44)
5. Why could Jesus’ opponents not answer His question? (20:44)
6. What did the teachers of the law seek? (20:45–46)
7. About what did Jesus warn His disciples? (20:45–47)
8. *Of what were the teachers of the law guilty? (20:46–47)
9. What point was Jesus trying to make about such religious behavior? (20:46–47)
10. How did Jesus criticize the teachers of the law? (20:47)
11. *What did Jesus mean when He said, “They devour widows’ houses”? (20:47)
12. *How did Jesus say proud people would be treated for their actions? (20:47)
Get It
1. For whose sake did Jesus pose the difficult question regarding the Son of David?
2. Why is pride such a dangerous sin?
3. *How do proud Christians hinder the work of God?
4. How can you prevent yourself from doing things for show?
5. Why do we seek out positions of honor and importance?
6. *Why is it so difficult to give up positions of honor and importance?
7. How is seeking the honor and respect of people related to the exploitation of the poor and defenseless?
Apply It
1. *In what areas of your life do you need to battle a pride that prevents you from drawing closer to God?
2. In what ways could you be an advocate this week for those who are mistreated by powerful persons?
The Widow’s Offering—Luke 21:1–4
Topics: Gifts, Money, Poor, Possessions, Sacrifice, Tithing, Wealth
Open It
1. To what charities or special causes do you like giving?
2. *When have you given sacrificially to a special cause?
Explore It
1. What did Jesus notice? (21:1)
2. What were the rich people doing? (21:1)
3. *How did Luke describe the woman Jesus saw? (21:2)
4. What did the woman do that Jesus noticed? (21:2)
5. How were the motives of the rich different from those of the woman? (21:1–2)
6. How did Jesus use this situation as an opportunity to teach His followers? (21:3)
7. *How did the woman “put in more than all the others” when her gift was much smaller than the gifts of the rich? (21:3)
8. What was lacking in the gifts the rich people gave? (21:4)
9. What had the poor widow actually sacrificed? (21:4)
10. *What principle of giving did Jesus communicate? (21:4)
Get It
1. How important is a person’s attitude toward giving?
2. What is wrong with judging people by their outward appearances?
3. *How does God judge our gifts?
4. *Why do you think the widow gave all that she had to live on?
5. Why did Jesus draw attention to a seemingly unremarkable event?
6. Why is giving out of our wealth a relatively easy thing to do?
7. In what ways do you need to give sacrificially?
Apply It
1. *What sacrifice of money could you make in God’s service?
2. What besides money can you give sacrificially to others this week? How?
Signs of the End of the Age—Luke 21:5–38
Topics: Death, Expectations, Last Days, Persecution, Prayer, Prophecy, Punishment, Second Coming, War, Wisdom, Worry
Open It
1. What do you think of people who make predictions about the future?
2. *What do you already know about your future?
Explore It
1. What did the disciples say about the temple that prompted a prophecy from Jesus? (21:5)
2. How did the disciples respond to Jesus’ prediction concerning the temple? (21:7)
3. What did Jesus say could deceive Christians in the last days? (21:8)
4. *What signs of the end of the age did Jesus tell us to expect? (21:9–13)
5. Why did Jesus advise His followers not to worry about what will happen to them? (21:14)
6. *What promises did Jesus give to His disciples? (21:18–19)
7. What will be the result of “standing firm” in the last days? (21:19)
8. Why will the “time of punishment” be necessary? (21:22)
9. What signs will usher in the end of the age? (21:23–26)
10. *What should be the response of Christians to the many signs of the end? (21:28)
11. For what purpose did Jesus tell the parable of the fig tree? (21:29–31)
12. What final advice did Jesus give? (21:34–36)
Get It
1. How can a Christian avoid being deceived by the events Jesus describes?
2. *Why did Jesus reveal to us these prophecies about the last days?
3. What distinguishes Jesus’ view of the future from the predictions of modern-day seers and astrologers?
4. Why would the wisdom Jesus provides be so necessary during persecution?
5. Which of the signs that Jesus detailed do you believe have been fulfilled or are being fulfilled today?
6. *What does this passage teach us about the trustworthiness of Jesus’ promises?
7. Why should we not allow our hearts to be weighed down with the anxieties of life?
Apply It
1. What Christian can you meet with this week to pray for preparedness for the times to come?
2. *What can you do now to get ready for Christ’s return?
3. Who is one unbeliever you can tell about the saving grace of the gospel? How?
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus—Luke 22:1–6
Topics: Bargaining, Deceit, Dishonesty, Forsake, Greed, Hypocrisy, Money, Opposition
Open It
1. What are the necessary elements of a friendship?
2. *In your experience, what destroys friendships?
3. The last time you had to mend a broken friendship, how did you do it?
Explore It
1. What event were the people anticipating? (22:1)
2. Why was this event important? (22:1)
3. What was the plan of the chief priests and teachers of the law? (22:2)
4. Why were the religious leaders afraid of the people? (22:2)
5. *What motivated Judas to approach the religious leaders who wanted to get rid of Jesus? (22:3)
6. In what way is Satan’s role in this story significant? (22:3)
7. *What did Judas and the religious leaders discuss? (22:4)
8. How did the leaders respond to Judas’s willingness to betray Jesus? (22:4)
9. *What did Judas get in return for betraying Jesus? (22:5–6)
10. How was Judas’s plan deceitful? (22:6)
11. Why was it important for Judas to hand Jesus over “when no crowd was present”? (22:6)
Get It
1. What does this passage teach us about human weakness?
2. *How did greed influence Judas’s decisions?
3. When has greed or materialism negatively influenced your decisions?
4. How can we guard against greed?
5. What can we learn from the hypocritical actions of Judas?
6. *How have your own selfish desires interfered with your relationship with others and your relationship with Jesus?
7. What can you do to be a more faithful, loyal friend?
8. In what areas of life are you most vulnerable to temptation?
9. How can you protect yourself from the temptations of Satan?
Apply It
1. What evidence of selfishness and greed do you see in your own life that could be remedied with the Lord’s help?
2. *How could you demonstrate today your own faithfulness and loyalty to a friend?
The Last Supper—Luke 22:7–38
Topics: Disagreements, Faith, Fellowship, Jesus Christ, Kingdom of God/Heaven, Lord’s Supper, Prophecy, Remembering, Sacrifice, Serving, Suffering, Thankfulness
Open It
1. *In what ways do you observe or celebrate important past events in your life?
2. What do you think it is important to remember about the past?
3. Why is it important to remember the past?
Explore It
1. What was significant about the day of Unleavened Bread? (22:7)
2. What instructions did Jesus give to Peter and John? (22:8–13)
3. *Why did Jesus eagerly desire to eat the Passover with His disciples? (22:15–16)
4. What did Jesus mean when He said, “I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God”? (22:16)
5. *What did Jesus instruct His disciples to do in remembrance of Him? (22:17–20)
6. *What did the cup represent? (22:20)
7. Why did a dispute arise among the disciples? (22:23–24)
8. What principle did Jesus promote in response to the disciples’ disagreement? (22:25–27)
9. What did Jesus tell Simon about his future? (22:31–32)
10. How did Simon respond to Jesus’ prediction? (22:33)
11. How did Jesus warn His disciples of the difficult time ahead? (22:35–37)
12. In what way did the disciples take Jesus’ instructions too literally? (22:38)
Get It
1. What joyful moments have you experienced in a Communion fellowship?
2. *Why is Communion important for Christians to observe?
3. *Why do you believe Jesus chose the elements of bread and wine to represent His body and the new covenant?
4. Why is it so tempting to seek greatness and recognition?
5. How can we follow Christ’s example of servanthood?
6. What opportunities for service has the Lord already provided for you?
7. What responsibility do we have to pray for the perseverance of other Christians?
Apply It
1. *How will you prepare for Communion next time so that you will appreciate more the provision Jesus made for you?
2. How can you serve others this week with an attitude of humility?
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives—Luke 22:39–46
Topics: Angels, Expectations, Habits, Prayer, Sorrow, Submission, Temptation
Open It
1. How have your friends helped you through difficult times in your life?
2. *When have you agreed to do something that you didn’t look forward to doing?
Explore It
1. What does this passage reveal about Jesus’ habits? (22:39)
2. For what purpose did Jesus go to the Mount of Olives? (22:39)
3. What instructions did Jesus give to His disciples? (22:40)
4. Why did Jesus withdraw from His followers? (22:41)
5. *What does Jesus’ prayer reveal about His own character and His relationship with the Father? (22:42)
6. What did Jesus want to avoid if possible? (22:42)
7. What was Jesus referring to when He said, “Take this cup from me”? (22:42)
8. *How was Jesus strengthened at this difficult time? (22:43)
9. How did Jesus confront His own anguish and dread? (22:44)
10. *What does this passage tell us about Jesus’ physical and emotional condition shortly before His death? (22:44)
11. What did Jesus find when He returned to the disciples? (22:45)
12. Why were the disciples so exhausted? (22:45)
13. For what reason did Jesus advise His disciples to pray? (22:46)
Get It
1. What can we learn from Jesus’ example of dealing with difficult circumstances in life?
2. *How do you think God wants you to respond to painful, even overwhelming, events in your life?
3. *What role should prayer play in times of trouble?
4. What can we learn from the disciplines Jesus developed while He was on earth?
5. How can you guard against falling into temptation?
6. What does Jesus teach us through His own example of submission to the Father?
7. For what situation in your life right now do you need to say to God, “Not my will, but yours be done”?
Apply It
1. In the next few weeks, what might you do to develop better habits of prayer and spiritual discipline?
2. *What particular area of your own life do you want to consciously submit to the Father’s will?
Jesus Arrested—Luke 22:47–53
Topics: Conflict, Darkness, Deceit, Enemies, Evil, Healing, Hypocrisy, Testing
Open It
1. *How does it feel to be let down by a friend?
2. What would you describe as a low point in your life?
3. What polite insincerities do people often use?
Explore It
1. Who was leading the crowd that approached Jesus? Why? (22:47–48)
2. Why did Judas approach Jesus? (22:47–48)
3. What actions of Judas were hypocritical and insincere? (22:47–48)
4. How did Jesus respond to Judas’s greeting? (22:48)
5. Why did Jesus reveal His identity to His opponents? (22:48)
6. *How did Jesus’ followers respond to Jesus’ arrest? (22:49)
7. What motivated one of Jesus’ followers to attack one of the servants? (22:50)
8. How did Jesus react when one of His disciples tried to protect Him? (22:50–51)
9. *How did Jesus show compassion even to His captors? (22:51)
10. *What emotions did Jesus show during this difficult time? (22:51–53)
11. What did Jesus say to the religious leaders who had come for Him? (22:52–53)
12. What did Jesus mean when He said, “This is your hour—when darkness reigns”? (22:53)
13. In what way did Jesus submit to the Father’s will in this situation? (22:53)
Get It
1. In what way is Judas a negative example to all of us?
2. When are you most tempted to be insincere in your actions or words?
3. What is the best way to keep yourself from turning away from your faith during difficult times?
4. What does Jesus teach you through His own demonstration of obedience to the Father’s will?
5. In what areas of your life are you struggling to trust fully in God’s will and plan?
6. What does submission to God’s will entail?
7. In what ways are you tempted to rely on yourself when faced with danger, as the disciples were?
8. *What principles for dealing with difficult and stressful circumstances do you see in Jesus’ example?
9. *How can you respond when you face stressful and difficult circumstances?
10. How do you think God wants you to treat your enemies?
Apply It
1. In what situations do you want to be more sincere and forthright?
2. In what areas of your life do you need to rely more consistently on the strength of the Lord?
3. *In what way could you prepare yourself now for future uncertainties?
Peter Disowns Jesus—Luke 22:54–62
Topics: Denial, Embarrassment, Forsake, Friendship, Peer Pressure, Repentance, Sorrow, Testing, Weaknesses
Open It
1. How does peer pressure affect our decisions?
2. *In what circumstances have you felt pressured into going along with the opinions of your friends?
3. When do you feel uncomfortable succumbing to group pressure?
Explore It
1. Where did the events of this story take place? (22:54)
2. What had happened to Jesus? (22:54)
3. *For what reason did Peter follow Jesus “at a distance”? (22:54)
4. *What do the actions of Peter in this story reveal about his personal character? (22:54–62)
5. Of what did the servant girl accuse Peter? (22:56)
6. How did Peter respond to the servant girl? (22:57)
7. How many times was Peter accused of knowing Jesus? (22:56–59)
8. How did Peter respond to the second and third accusations put to him? (22:58–60)
9. Why did the third person suspect Peter was a follower of Jesus? (22:59)
10. What happened when Peter denied Jesus the third time? (22:60–61)
11. What caused Peter to remember Jesus’ earlier prediction? (22:60–61)
12. What did Jesus do the third time Peter denied knowing Him? (22:61)
13. *Why was Peter so upset and bitter about his actions? (22:61–62)
14. How did Peter respond to the realization that he had denied his Lord? (22:62)
Get It
1. What would make Peter deny that he knew Jesus, when earlier he said he was willing to die for Him?
2. *When have you ever done something because of peer pressure, then later regretted it?
3. In what circumstances are other people able to influence us to act in ways we know we should not?
4. How was Peter’s denial of Christ different from Judas’s betrayal of Jesus?
5. *What can we do to stand against the pressure of others to do things we know are wrong?
6. How should we respond when we fail to obey Christ?
7. What can we learn about repentance from Peter’s example in this story?
8. How would you define true repentance?
9. What methods does God use to make us aware of ways we need to change?
10. In what ways has the Lord made you aware of a sin in your life?
11. How should we respond to the convicting voice of God?
Apply It
1. *What could you do this week to strengthen your stand for Christ in the face of pressure from others?
2. In the future, how could you encourage another believer who has done something wrong but shows a willingness to repent?
The Guards Mock Jesus—Luke 22:63–65
Topics: Insults, Persecution, Prophecy, Shame, Suffering, Toleration
Open It
1. What emotions do most people have when insulted by others?
2. How do we guard ourselves against criticism from other people?
3. *What bullies do you remember from elementary school?
Explore It
1. In light of what had happened before this point, what was Jesus probably feeling? (22:63)
2. Who had control of this situation? (22:63)
3. How was Jesus treated by His guards? (22:63–64)
4. *In what way did the guards mock Jesus? (22:63–64)
5. Why was Jesus blindfolded? (22:64)
6. What prompted the guards to mock Jesus as they did? (22:64)
7. How did news of Jesus’ reputation influence the guards’ actions? (22:64)
8. *What was the guards’ purpose in demanding that Jesus prophesy for them? (22:64)
9. What was so demeaning about the guards’ treatment of Jesus? (22:64)
10. *What did Luke imply about Jesus’ actions by not mentioning any details about how He responded to the guards? (22:63–65)
11. In what way are the details of Christ’s humiliation significant to the overall story? (22:63–65)
Get It
1. How are the details of Jesus’ mockery relevant to us today?
2. What does this passage tell us about Jesus’ character and His response to persecution?
3. *How does Jesus want us to react to criticism, insults, or scorn?
4. In what way could you benefit by suffering for your faith?
5. What steps could you take to prepare yourself for being persecuted for your faith?
6. Why do you think God spares some believers from persecution but not others?
7. *How could you show your support for other Christians who suffer persecution for the sake of Christ?
Apply It
1. *How could you encourage a Christian who is in some way suffering for his or her faith? When?
2. How can you look past the criticism or scorn people use against you for your beliefs?
3. What is one way you can say thank you to Jesus for enduring humiliation for your sake?
Jesus Before Pilate and Herod—Luke 22:66–23:25
Topics: Accusation, Answers, Blasphemy, Evidence, God, Injustice, Jesus Christ, Persecution, Pressure, Punishment, Rationalizing, Testing, Unfairness, Witnessing
Open It
1. What constitutes a fair trial in our legal system today?
2. What are some common ways people try to bend the rules?
3. *Why might a person try to influence the process of justice deceitfully?
Explore It
1. When did the events of this story take place? (22:66)
2. Who was first to question Jesus? (22:66)
3. How did Jesus respond to the question about His identity? (22:67–70)
4. Where was Jesus taken? (23:1)
5. *Of what was Jesus accused? (23:2)
6. How did Jesus respond to Pilate’s question about His identity? (23:3)
7. *Of what did Pilate find Jesus guilty? (23:4)
8. How was Jesus treated throughout His trial? (23:5, 9–11)
9. For what reason did Pilate send Jesus to Herod? (23:5–7)
10. Why was Herod pleased to see Jesus? (23:8–9)
11. How did Pilate explain what he decided to do with Jesus? (23:13–16)
12. How did the crowds respond to Pilate’s ruling? (23:18)
13. *In what way did popular pressure influence Pilate’s decisions? (23:20–25)
14. What finally happened to Jesus at the conclusion of His trial? (23:25)
Get It
1. Why were the people, priests, and rulers so determined to put Jesus to death?
2. *What can we learn from studying Jesus’ response to His accusers?
3. In what ways do you feel you have been mistreated because of your faith in Jesus Christ?
4. *How should Christians respond to unfair treatment?
5. How does Jesus’ response to Pilate and Herod demonstrate for us how we should endure unjust use of authority?
6. What difference does it make that Jesus underwent humiliation and unfair treatment?
Apply It
1. In what way can you renew your resolve to serve Jesus, no matter what the cost?
2. *What do you want to remember the next time you receive unfair treatment or criticism?
The Crucifixion—Luke 23:26–43
Topics: Despair, Forgiveness, Future, God’s Will, Insults, Kingdom of God/Heaven, Mourning, Prophecy, Salvation, Submission
Open It
1. When have you had to endure teasing or abuse?
2. *How were you dependent on your parents when you were young?
Explore It
1. Why did the soldiers seize Simon of Cyrene? (23:26)
2. What do the soldiers’ actions reveal about Jesus’ condition? (23:26)
3. Why did such a large crowd gather? (23:27)
4. How did many of the women respond to Jesus’ impending death? (23:27)
5. How did Jesus treat the women mourning for Him? (23:28–31)
6. Why did Jesus tell the women to weep for themselves? (23:28–31)
7. What did Jesus mean when He said, “If men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (23:31)
8. What do Jesus’ words on the cross reveal about His character? (23:34)
9. How was Jesus treated by others while He was hanging on the cross? (23:35–39)
10. *What did the first criminal demand of Jesus? (23:39)
11. *What request did the second criminal on the cross make of Jesus? (23:42)
12. *How did Jesus respond to the criminal’s plea? (23:43)
Get It
1. What can you learn from the actions of the repentant criminal?
2. Why didn’t both criminals plead for mercy from Jesus?
3. What prevents many people from turning to Jesus?
4. What do Jesus’ words to the repentant criminal reveal about conversion?
5. *In what way are we all like the criminals on the cross?
6. *For what do we need to approach Jesus?
7. For what are we dependent on God?
8. How does Jesus’ response to His approaching death set an example for all Christians?
9. What does this passage teach you about forgiveness?
10. How should we imitate Christ’s example of forgiveness?
11. Why did Jesus choose not to save Himself from His suffering on the cross?
12. Toward what people do you need to follow Christ’s example of forgiveness?
Apply It
1. With what prayer could you say thank you to Jesus this week for His gift of salvation?
2. *How can you place a new area of your life in Christ’s hands?
Jesus’ Death—Luke 23:44–49
Topics: Darkness, Death, Mourning, Praise, Righteousness, Sorrow
Open It
1. What experiences have caused you to be amazed?
2. What is the most you’ve ever sacrificed for someone else?
3. *Who are some people you considered unapproachable at one point or another in your life? Why?
Explore It
1. When did the events of this story take place? (23:44)
2. What unusual natural occurrence took place and what did it signify? (23:44–45)
3. *What happened to the curtain in the temple? (23:45)
4. *What did the tearing of the temple curtain signify? (23:45)
5. Why did Jesus call out from the cross? (23:46)
6. What was significant about Jesus’ words on the cross? (23:46)
7. What occurred after Jesus called out to the Father? (23:46)
8. *How did the centurion in charge of the crucifixion react to Jesus’ death? (23:47)
9. What motivated the centurion to praise God? (23:47)
10. Why did the centurion call Jesus a righteous man, and in what way was this declaration significant? (23:47)
11. How did the witnesses to Christ’s crucifixion react to His death? (23:48)
12. Why did those people who knew Jesus watch from a distance? (23:49)
Get It
1. Why did Jesus need to die on the cross?
2. What difference did Christ’s death make in our relationship with God the Father?
3. *How did Christ open the path between us and God?
4. What does it mean to approach God?
5. *How are we able to approach God?
6. What do Jesus’ actions teach us about submission to God’s will?
7. Why was the centurion’s reaction to Jesus’ death so remarkable?
8. What does this passage teach us about how we should respond to death?
9. From what has Jesus’ death on the cross saved you?
Apply It
1. *In what ways can you approach God each day this week, to honor the path to the Father He opened for you?
2. With what younger Christian can you share today your thankfulness for Christ’s great sacrifice?
Jesus’ Burial—Luke 23:50–56
Topics: Body, Devotion, Faith, Kingdom of God/Heaven, Loyalty, Obedience, Respect
Open It
1. What Christians have you known who have served God faithfully without fanfare?
2. How much of a risk-taker are you?
3. *What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
Explore It
1. Who was Joseph? (23:50)
2. *How did Luke describe Joseph’s character? (23:50)
3. How did Joseph feel about Jesus’ trial and punishment? (23:51)
4. What did Luke mean by describing Joseph as a man who was “waiting for the kingdom of God”? (23:51)
5. What kind of man was Joseph? (23:51)
6. What did Joseph ask of Pilate? (23:52)
7. *Why was it courageous for Joseph to approach Pilate for Jesus’ body? (23:52)
8. *How did Joseph prepare Jesus’ body? (23:53)
9. Who followed Joseph? (23:55)
10. What do the actions of the women reveal about their faith? (23:55–56)
11. Why did the women not take their prepared spices and perfumes directly to Jesus’ tomb? (23:56)
Get It
1. How can we be known as people who are “waiting for the kingdom of God”?
2. *What was courageous about what Joseph did?
3. What sort of risks did Joseph take?
4. *What can we learn from Joseph’s example?
5. What risks are involved in serving Christ today?
6. What risks are involved in serving Christ in your situation?
7. In what ways can we show our respect for Jesus Christ today?
8. When is it difficult to demonstrate openly our loyalty to Jesus?
9. What should we do if we feel nervous about sharing our faith because of the threat of criticism from others?
10. Why do you think Luke mentioned that the women saw the tomb and the burial of Christ’s body?
11. What example do the women in this story set for us?
12. What do the women in the story teach us about obedience?
Apply It
1. *What risks might you have to take in serving Christ this week?
2. What spiritual disciplines can you work on that will help you become a “good and upright” person?
The Resurrection—Luke 24:1–12
Topics: Angels, Believe, Evangelism, Fear, Good News, Jesus Christ, Miracles, Remembering, Resurrection, Witnessing
Open It
1. How do you react to good news from home?
2. *When was a time you told a true story that other people found hard to believe?
Explore It
1. Why did the women go to Jesus’ tomb? (24:1)
2. What did the women find once they arrived at the tomb? (24:2)
3. *What happened while the women were wondering what had happened to Jesus’ body? (24:4)
4. Who were the two men who appeared to the women? (24:4)
5. How did the women respond to the angels? (24:5)
6. What did the angels tell the women about Jesus? (24:5–7)
7. Of what words of Jesus were the women reminded? (24:7)
8. *What did the women do after the men had told them that Jesus had risen from the dead as He had predicted? (24:9)
9. How did the apostles react to the women’s testimony? (24:11)
10. Why did the apostles not believe the women? (24:11)
11. In what way were Peter’s actions different from the other apostles? (24:12)
12. *How did Peter respond to the sight of the empty tomb? (24:12)
Get It
1. Why is Jesus’ resurrection central to the Christian faith?
2. If the gospel is such good news, why are Christians sometimes reluctant to tell others about Christ?
3. What would be different if Jesus had not risen from the dead?
4. *Why did the disciples express disbelief even though Jesus had told them clearly that He would rise from the dead?
5. What does this passage teach us about witnessing and evangelism?
6. What does this account teach you about the people to whom God reveals His good news?
7. How does this story encourage you to share your faith with others?
8. *What should you do if others reject you or your testimony when you share your faith?
9. Why do people sometimes not believe the truth of the gospel?
10. What responsibility do we have to witness to others, even if they continue to reject the gospel?
Apply It
1. *How can you reaffirm your faith in God’s promises this week?
2. How can you prepare yourself for your next encounter with someone who criticizes you or does not accept your testimony?
On the Road to Emmaus—Luke 24:13–35
Topics: Angels, Believe, Confusion, Expectations, Foolishness, Hardheartedness, Ignorance, Jesus Christ, Prophecy, Witnessing
Open It
1. *When have you ever suddenly understood a truth that had earlier confused you?
2. What is it like to have an event turn out differently than you had expected?
Explore It
1. Who was going to Emmaus? (24:13)
2. What were the two men discussing along the way? (24:14)
3. Who appeared to the men on the way to Emmaus? (24:15)
4. What did Jesus ask the two men? (24:17)
5. What emotions did the two men display? (24:17)
6. Why did Cleopas think that Jesus must have been a visitor to Jerusalem? (24:18)
7. *How did the two men describe Jesus and what had happened? (24:19–24)
8. How had the events of the last few days crushed the expectations of the two men talking with Jesus? (24:21)
9. *Why did Jesus explain the Scriptures to the men? (24:25–27)
10. When did the men finally recognize Jesus? (24:31)
11. *What did the men recall after they reflected on their conversation with Jesus? (24:32)
12. How did these men respond to their encounter with Jesus? (24:33–35)
Get It
1. *How are your expectations of the Christian life sometimes changed by life’s trials?
2. What did you think your life would be like after you became a Christian?
3. When have you been guilty of unbelief?
4. Why are we so often “slow of heart to believe”?
5. What do you think prevents people from believing in Jesus?
6. *What great truths has God taught you that you failed to understand at first?
7. In what ways has God clearly spoken to you?
8. What can you learn about witnessing from the example of the two men in this account?
Apply It
1. What could you do this week to make yourself more sensitive to the Lord’s leading in your life?
2. *What could you do in the future to prevent yourself from failing to recognize God’s voice?
Jesus Appears to the Disciples—Luke 24:36–49
Topics: Believe, Doubt, Fear, Holy Spirit, Instructions, Joy, Promises, Prophecy, Resurrection, Understanding, Witnessing
Open It
1. When have you ever been really surprised?
2. What do you like or dislike about surprises?
3. *With what subjects did you have the most difficulty in school? Why?
4. When have you ever been entrusted with a significant responsibility?
Explore It
1. How did Jesus approach the disciples? (24:36)
2. *Why were the disciples frightened? (24:37)
3. How did Jesus try to calm and reassure the disciples? (24:38–39)
4. What evidence did Jesus give to prove He was not a ghost? (24:39)
5. *How did the disciples react to the evidence and convincing words of Jesus? (24:41)
6. What did the disciples’ actions reveal about their understanding of what Jesus had told them earlier about His death and resurrection? (24:41)
7. What emotions did the disciples display? (24:41)
8. What was significant about Jesus’ eating a piece of fish? (24:43)
9. *When did the disciples finally understand the Scriptures? (24:44–45)
10. How were the disciples finally able to understand the prophecies about Christ in Scripture? (24:44–45)
11. What did Jesus explain would be the result of His resurrection? (24:47)
12. What instructions did Jesus give to His disciples? (24:48)
13. What was Jesus going to send the apostles? (24:48)
14. What was the “power from on high” to which Jesus referred? (24:48)
Get It
1. Why did Jesus consider it important to teach the disciples from the Old Testament?
2. *What does this passage teach us about God’s role in our understanding of the gospel?
3. According to this passage, how can we expect to understand the Scriptures?
4. *What causes us to disbelieve the Scriptures?
5. What proof did you need to be convinced of the truth of the gospel?
6. In what ways have you experienced the power Jesus promised us?
7. What responsibility do we have to share our faith with others?
Apply It
1. How can you become a more regular student of the Scriptures?
2. *What could you do this week to settle the doubts about salvation that your non-Christian friends have?
The Ascension—Luke 24:50–53
Topics: Believers, Blessing, Heaven, Jesus Christ, Joy, Praise, Worship
Open It
1. Why do engaged couples often seek their parents’ blessing?
2. *Whose “blessing” would you value above all? Why?
3. In what ways do you feel you have been blessed?
Explore It
1. Where did Jesus lead His disciples? (24:50)
2. What did Jesus do for His disciples? (24:50)
3. *Why did Jesus bless His disciples at this point? (24:50)
4. What happened while Jesus was blessing His disciples? (24:51)
5. How did the disciples know that Jesus was taken up into heaven? (24:51)
6. How was this time with Jesus significant for the disciples? (24:51)
7. *What was the response of the disciples to Jesus’ ascension into heaven? (24:52)
8. Why were the disciples so joyful? (24:52)
9. *What is significant about the fact that Jesus’ followers worshipped Him? (24:52)
10. Why did the disciples return to Jerusalem? (24:52)
11. What did Jesus’ followers do after He left them? (24:52–53)
Get It
1. What do you find inspiring about the actions of Jesus’ followers in this account?
2. *How can we experience joy in Christ?
3. Why is Jesus worthy of our worship?
4. Why is it appropriate and important for Christians to praise and worship Jesus?
5. *What blessings from the Lord have you experienced recently?
6. What does this passage teach us about the mission of the church?
Apply It
1. How can you worship and praise the Lord today?
2. How can you honor Jesus for all He came and did for you?
3. *When could you set aside time this week to think about the many blessings the Lord has given you?
Adult Questions for LESSONmaker (2024). Bellingham, WA: Logos, p. Lk 1:1–24:53.