Ten Studies in Luke 1-9

Picture a scientist
going about some great work. He or she is searching for the cure for some
horrible disease, or making some marvelous new discovery. First the scientist
digs for facts, looking deeply, studying carefully, investigating every
clue, relentlessly hunting for any and every fact that will make the discovery
deeper, richer, and more accurate.

That is the approach
these studies will take with the Gospel of Luke. In these studies we are
going to look at Jesus through the eyes of those who actually witnessed
him, and then told their story. That is what a witness is: a person who
sees or experiences something, then tells others what he or she has seen.
In these studies we are going to look at a wide and interesting variety
of witnesses-witnesses who have experienced Jesus and share what they
have seen. First we’ll look deeply at what they say, and then we’ll draw
our own conclusions.

These studies will
use the inductive method, a way of looking into the text for the facts,
then pondering what they mean, and then considering what they mean for
our situation today. And what could be more important! One of the most
profound things in life is to think about God, our relationship with God,
and the meaning of life and truth. That is what we will be investigating
in these studies as we look at these witnesses of Jesus and what they
have to say to us.

Luke’s
Story

Luke is the author of this Gospel as well as the book of Acts. With these
two books he actually wrote one fourth of the New Testament! Luke was
the only Gentile New Testament writer and was a man of broad sympathies.
He noticed and wrote about groups usually neglected by the cultures of
his day: women, children, the sick, the poor, outcasts and foreigners.
He points to Jesus’ great interest in all kinds of people. Luke was also
an educated man, a doctor and a historian. And, like the scientist described
above, he was very careful with his facts, describing incidents with historical
accuracy and using a rich vocabulary. His reporting is orderly and accurate.

The Gospel of Luke
is a fascinating account of Jesus and those who witnessed his life. Luke
does not present the facts about Jesus as a statistical report but as
a story. He tells in an interesting, accurate and reliable way the story
of Jesus and what that story means for us. May God give your small group
rich and rewarding insights as you study his Word together!

Notes
for the Discussion Leader

You can help your group get the most out of these studies by presenting
some guidelines for effective discussion just before you get into the
passage. Here are some you can mention:

• Approach the Bible
  as you would any good primary source: be open to learn.
• Let the text speak
  for itself rather than depending on something you’ve heard or read about
  it.
• Expect the text,
  rather than the leader, to answer questions that come up.
• Stay in the passage.
  On occasion, when background information is necessary, the study guide
  may refer the group to another passage. But that is the only time to
  go out of the passage. Don’t go off on tangents into different passages.
• Stay on the point
  under discussion.
• Keep in mind that
  each person’s part in the discussion helps the group to learn more.
  People who talk easily in discussion can provide for quieter people
  to contribute also. God can use what each one says to help the rest
  of us. And we can honor each other by listening to each other.
• Begin and end on
  time.

The second time the group
meets, it may be helpful to run lightly over these guidelines again.

The questions in
this guide are for your use in preparing and leading. (Note:helpful
leader’s notes are in italics throughout the guide.) Put the questions
into your own words if you’d like, yet try to stay within the intent of
each question.Become so familiar with the questions that you won’t be
looking down at your page all the time. Have your own written responses
handy as you lead the study. Since the questions are based on the construction
of the passage, they will lead the group to major teachings. Decide how
much discussion time each group of questions is worth. This will help
you pace the discussion.

Make sure that each
study ends with one or two questions of application, even if that means
watching the clock and leaving out a few of the suggested questions.

Note: It is easier
for study and discussion if everyone has the same version of the Bible.
The New International Version (NIV), the New American Standard Bible (NASB),
or New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) are good and popular versions of
the Bible and any one of them would be accurate and reliable to use together.
The questions in these studies are based on the NRSV text.

Throughout the series
of discussions, pray for the members of your group-that they’ll be prepared
and open for the study-discussion, and that God would speak powerfully
to them as they dig into his Word together.

Luke the Investigative
Witness

Luke 1:1-4

Your Story. Before we dig into the Gospel of Luke, it’s important
to reflect on our own stories in relation to Jesus. All of us, no matter
what our backgrounds and experiences, have a story about our knowledge of
and relationship with Jesus. Even those of us from non-religious or non-Christian
backgrounds have some thoughts and opinions about Jesus. They may be warm,
indifferent or angry opinions. That’s okay. We want to establish an accepting,
open atmosphere where we listen to each other and grow together.

Take some time now
to share your own stories or thoughts about Jesus and your relationship
with him at this point in your life. (Note: you can give significant
time to this sharing as the rest of this first study is relatively short.)

1. Turn to Luke’s
own introduction to his Gospel, Luke 1:1-4. Have someone read the passage
as everyone follows along. From these four verses, what do you learn about
the Gospel of Luke? What do they tell us about its historical accuracy?

2. Trace through
these verses how the “events that were fulfilled among us” came to be
written down into “orderly accounts.” What process did the writers go
through?

3. Who do you think
some of these “eyewitnesses” might be? What does Luke say about the others
who have written accounts?

4. In verse 3 Luke
tells us he wrote to Theophilus. What can we learn about Theophilus from
the text? Why did Luke write to him?

5. How do you think
Luke’s emphasis on talking to eyewitnesses and writing an orderly account
will help you as you study his Gospel in the coming weeks?

6. Suppose Luke just
came in the door of your room and told you excitedly about his investigation.
He’s been talking to eyewitnesses about Jesus and putting together an
orderly account. What would you like him to investigate, to find out about
Jesus? What should he find out from the eyewitnesses? Share some of the
questions you come up with, and keep them in mind in the coming weeks
to see if Luke gives you any answers.

In Closing:

What is it that you would most like to learn or experience about Jesus
in the coming weeks? (You may want to spend some time in prayer as
a group asking Jesus to reveal himself to you in deep and powerful ways.)

Gabriel: the Heavenly Witness

Luke 1:26-38

Getting Started:

Think of something great. What does “great” mean to you? Share
your ideas.

In this passage,
a heavenly visitor comes to Mary and proclaims that she will miraculously
bear a child, and that he will be great. Let’s see what greatness is for
Jesus as we delve into this famous passage.

1. Have someone read
this text aloud with the rest following along. Verse 26 gives us a “when,”
a time indicator. Look back to verses 5-24 to find out what happened six
months earlier.

2. What do we learn
about Joseph in verse 27? Why do you think this might be significant?
How is Mary described?

3. How does the angel
encourage Mary in verses 28-31? Have you ever experienced God’s grace
or favor in an unusual way? Talk about it. How did it feel? How did you
respond?

4. In verse 32 Gabriel
says that Jesus will be “great.” Then he describes four things that Jesus
will be or have or do. What are they? What do these four things have in
common? (They all have to do with kingship or kingdoms: “Son of the
Most High,” “give him the throne of . . . David,” “reign over the house
of Jacob,” “of this kingdom there will be no end.” )

5. Our concept of
kingship these days is pretty shallow, mostly centering around the foibles
of the British royal family or a certain king buried in Graceland. What
power did kings have in the ancient world? What would it mean to have
a king whose kingdom would never end?

6. What does it mean
for us today that Jesus is a king, an eternal king, whose kingdom will
never end? Where do you think his kingdom is today? How might this change
or enlarge your concept of Jesus? How does it honestly make you feel about
him?

7. What progression
do you see in Mary’s responses in verses 29, 34, and 38? How does Gabriel
answer her question about how this could happen (verses 35-37)? Have you
ever experienced going from confusion to questioning to faith? What was
the situation?

8. What do you think
the angel’s statement in verse 37 meant for Mary? What could it mean for
you today?

In Closing:

In this story, Gabriel gives an announcement, a Word from God, and describes
Jesus as the great King. Mary responds, after some perplexity and questioning,
with faith in this Word. What does it mean for you to live by faith in
the Word? What would this faith look like? What practical small step of
faith could you take this week, based on God’s Word?

Angels and Shepherds: Joyful Witnesses

Luke 2:1-20

When have you experienced good news? Think of a time you received
good news and share a little about it. In this passage we will read about
some good news brought by heavenly messengers to some unlikely witnesses.
We’ll ponder what it means that Jesus is “good news.”

1. Have three people
read the passage, one for each paragraph (the paragraphs are vs. 1-7;
8-14; 15-20). (Note: for some in the group, even the first few words
[“In those days a decree went out . . .”] may bring back memories of trees,
lights, presents, or a midnight mass or service with the family. But a
key to inductive Bible study is to approach the text in a fresh way as
if one had never seen it before. This may be hard, but urge the group
to try.)

2. In the first few
verses, what are some clues that the historian Luke is trying to be painfully
accurate with his political and historical facts? Why do you think he
mentions Roman emperors and governors-people of power?

3. In verses 4-7,
what new things do we learn about Joseph and Mary? What facts about them
are repeated from our study in Luke 1:26-38? Put yourself in the drama.
How would you feel, trudging over a hundred miles because some occupation
government officials wanted you to register so they could tax you and,
if you are a man, possibly draft you into their army? Look again at verse
7. What different emotions might Joseph and Mary have experienced?

4. Shepherds were
poor, lower-class people in their society, despised by religious Jews
because their work kept them away from many religious activities. Looking
at verses 8-14, why do you think God chose shepherds to be the first ones
to hear the good news of the birth of Jesus?

5. In verse 10, the
angel talks about “good news of great joy for all people.” Look carefully
at the three ways Jesus is described in verse 11. What are they? (Savior,
Messiah [or Christ], Lord.) What would each of these have meant for
poor Jewish shepherds under Roman occupation in the first century? Take
time to ponder what each description means to us today. Why is this announcement
by the angel good news?

6. Notice the contrast
between these majestic titles for Jesus and the poor situation into which
he was born in verses 6-7. Why do you think Luke emphasizes this contrast?

7. What is the reaction
in heaven to the birth of Jesus according to verses 13-14? What is a benefit
to those on earth? “On earth peace among those whom he favors” is a different
translation from the one in our traditional Christmas carols, but it is
more accurate. What do you think it means?

8. After the angels
leave, in verses 15-16, what do the shepherds do? What have they become?
(Witnesses!-Someone who sees and then tells.)

9. What is the shepherds’
first act after seeing and experiencing Jesus (verse 17)? Think back to
the time when you experienced good news in your life. Did you want to
tell others about the good thing? If we truly experience Jesus in our
lives, and thus become “witnesses” to his truth as the shepherds were,
how might we respond?

In closing:

Again, put yourself into the passage. What feelings do you think Mary
experienced in this passage? What feelings did the shepherds experience?
Note that the shepherds left glorifying and praising God (verse 20). Is
there anything in your life or experience right now for which you can
praise God? Is there anything you are thankful for? (Note: you may
want to end the study by sharing some things each person is thankful for,
and then spending time in prayer praising and thanking God.)

Simeon and Anna: Patient & Faithful Witnesses

Luke 2:22-40

Getting started:

What do you want to be like at the end of your life? What do you want to
have accomplished? You may not have done a lot of thinking about this, but
take a few moments to share some preliminary thoughts.

In this study we
are going to look at two older people whose lives ended well. They seemed
to know how to live life with power and meaning. Let’s look at their “witness”
to Jesus.

1. Have someone (or
a few people) read Luke 2: 22-40 aloud. Verses 22-35 are about Simeon,
verses 36-40 about Anna.

2. Verses 1-21 of
this chapter describe the birth and circumcision of Jesus. Now it is time
for his “presentation.” How is this ceremony described in verses 22-24?
Leviticus 12:6-8 in the Old Testament describes the origin of this purification
ceremony. From the Leviticus passage and verse 24 we get a clue to the
economic status of Mary and Joseph. What was it?

3. Look carefully
at how Simeon is described in verse 25. Do you know anyone like this,
who seems to have “the Holy Spirit resting on” them? Share a bit about
them. What makes them special?

4. How do you think
Simeon felt when he saw Jesus?

5. Now look at his
“song” in verses 29-32. What does he say about the salvation that is brought
by Jesus? Who were the “Gentiles?” (Everyone who was not Jewish.)
If this “light of revelation” that Jesus will bring is for the Gentiles,
and also for the glory of Israel, what is Simeon really saying about the
revelation of Jesus?

6. Look at Simeon’s
further prophesy in verses 34-35. Why do you think there will be opposition
to someone bringing the revelation of God? What do you think he meant
when he said to Mary that “a sword will pierce your own soul”?

7. How is Anna described
in verses 36-37? Do you know any older people who are very godly, who
seem to worship God with genuine power? Share a bit about them.

8. In verse 38, as
soon as Anna saw Jesus, what are two things she does immediately in response?
How is this similar to the shepherds’ response in verses 17 and 20? What
seems to be the first thing people do when they truly encounter Jesus?
Have you encountered Jesus in such a way that would make you want to tell
others about him?

9. Compare Simon
and Anna. What did they have in common? What was their response to encountering
Jesus?

In closing:

What characterizes those who genuinely seek Jesus? What do they seem to
do as soon as they encounter him? How do the examples of these two people
help you as you think about living your life, and ending your life, meaningfully?

John the Baptist: the Fiery Witness

Luke 3:1-20

Think for a minute about fire. Have you ever experienced a fire? What good
things does fire do? What harmful things does it do?

The Gospel of Luke
is set in the first century. The nation of Israel is living under the
heavy hand of Rome and is rife with internal difficulties as well. A man
appears on the scene whose life affects many people. He is a fiery man,
and he speaks of fire in many different ways. This man is of such character
and influence that some think he may be the Messiah. He is not. But he
is a significant person in the history of Christianity. His name is John.

1. Ask everyone to
read Luke 3:1-20 for themselves, and then have the group members mention
things that impress them about John’s ministry.

2. As you look more
closely at the first two verses, what do they contribute to the passage?
Why do you think Luke includes this kind of information? History shows
that Herod and some of the other people listed here were known to be morally
and spiritually degenerate. What is the source of their authority as leaders?
How does it compare with John’s?

3. We’re introduced
to John’s work in verse three. What was it? What does it mean to repent?
(To repent means to be genuinely sorry for sin and to turn from it
to obey God resolutely. Sin means living independently of God, failing
to trust him. It is more than just bad morals.) When people came
to be baptized by John, they confessed their sin and made a “U-turn” toward
God. John then baptized them. Therefore, what did John’s baptism mean?
(When John baptized people, this symbolized a radical cleansing of
their lives and desire to change direction and turn towards God in faith
and trust.)

4. In verses 4-6,
Luke quotes from the prophet Isaiah to help us understand more about John’s
ministry. Look carefully at the picture Isaiah paints and dig out the
facts there. What do you think this is describing? (This is a picture
of a middle-eastern king and his herald. In those days, when a ruler took
a journey, a servant or herald was sent ahead of him. This herald warned
the people of the land to prepare the roadway through the wilderness for
the arrival of the king. Holes in the road had to be filled, bumps and
high places leveled, crooked sections straightened and rough spots smoothed.)
How is John a herald for “King” Jesus? What did it mean for John o make
crooked places straight and the rough ones smooth? What does this have
to do with “repentance”?

5. The next paragraph,
verses 7-9, tells us that a great number of people are coming to John
for baptism. How does the text explain why John is so stern with them?
What would be a contemporary way of saying, “I’m okay. I have Abraham
as my father”? How does John confront this kind of complacency?

6. As you look at
the dialog in verses 10-14, what do you find out about these people? What
are they like in everyday life? What is John emphasizing about genuine
repentance? (It has a practical, social context-repentance has to
do with social justice!) What would practical repentance look like
for us today?

7. According to verse
15, what is the atmosphere of the crowd and the situation? From verses
15-17, what do you learn about John?

8. What does John
make clear about Christ in verses 15-17? What is surprising about this
picture of the Messiah? How do you respond to this? How would the baptism
by Jesus be different from the baptism by John? How would its effects
be different in your everyday life? (The baptism by John was only
preparatory. The baptism by Jesus is real, permanent, and has the powerful
meaning that the Holy Spirit is truly there-that God is with us and in
us.)

9. In verse 18 John’s
preaching is called good news. How is this word of a coming judge who
will baptize with fire good news? How did he respond to this and other
things John said?

10. According to
John’s fiery witness, who is Jesus? What do you think of the Jesus presented
here, and in Luke so far?

In closing:

John the Baptist talked about making the crooked straight and rough places
smooth. What might be some “crooked” or “rough” places in your life? What
would repentance mean to you in light of this study? What would it mean
for you to repent in this way?

The Witness of Scripture

Luke 4:16-30

What do you really think of the Bible? What is it to you? Is it a mysterious
holy book? A book only priests or scholars can interpret? Is it a bunch
of myths? Good moral teaching? Just the words of people? The Word of God?
(Note: you can have a lively discussion if people share honestly!)

In this study we
are going to see Jesus’ attitude toward the Bible of his day-what we call
the Old Testament. We’ll see how he took it as an authoritative witness
to himself and gave his audience a radical twist on its interpretation.

1. Review the section
that comes just before our passage, the story of the temptation of Jesus
and how he defeated Satan by quoting from Scripture. Then have someone
or a few people read the study passage, Luke 4:16-30.

2. Take some time
to share all the facts you see in verses 16-17. What is the special designation
given to Nazareth? What do these verses imply about Jesus’ attendance
at synagogue services?

3. The tradition
in the synagogues of Jesus’ day was not to have a regular minister/preacher
for each synagogue, but rather to have the Scripture read and discussed.
Often a distinguished visitor was asked to read the Scripture and comment
on it. Why do you think Luke put such an emphasis on Jesus’ reading of
this Scripture in Isaiah?

4. The Scripture
Jesus read, verses 18-19, is a quote from Isaiah 61:1-2. As Jesus applies
this to himself, what was he anointed by the Spirit to do? Who are the
four groups of people mentioned here? What do they all have in common?
Look carefully at each one and ponder what it means:

1. What is the good
   news that is going to the poor?
2. Who are the captives
   that will be released? What do you think this meant for the people of
   that time? What does it mean for us in our time?
3. Who are the blind,
   then and now?
4. Who are the oppressed,
   then and now? What would freedom mean for them?

5. Verse 19 is a quote
from Isaiah but also alludes to Leviticus 25:10, which describes the Year
of Jubilee, an every-fifty-year festival of freedom, worship and economic
justice. What do you think the “year of the Lord’s favor” is that Jesus
is going to proclaim?

6. Looking again
at verses 18-19 as a whole, how is Jesus defining his mission? Why do
you think he stresses that the poor, the captive, the blind and the oppressed
will be the focus of his ministry? What does this say to people who feel
that the purpose of Christians is to “save souls” and not worry about
social needs?

7. After the reading,
Jesus applies it all to himself. What is he saying in his one-sentence
sermon in verse 21?

8. How do his hearers
respond in verse 22? Jesus then confronts them with some very sharp words.
In verses 23-24, what is Jesus saying about the people’s real response
to him, in their hearts, underneath their kind words? What does this say
about our response to him?

9. In verses 25-27,
Jesus is referring to two Old Testament stories (1 Kings 17:1-24 and 2
Kings 5:1-14) that would be familiar to the people then but are not so
familiar to us. Look closely at the two people who receive ministry: the
widow at Zarephath in Sidon in verse 26, and Naaman the Syrian leper in
verse 27. What do they have in common? (They were both Gentiles.)
Does this give you a clue as to why Jesus’ Jewish hometown listeners were
so mad? The Jewish people at the time felt that they were the special
objects of God’s love. What does this say about the scope of God’s love?
In verses 18-19 and 25-27, for whom does God seem to have a special preference?

10. Jesus took very
seriously the authority of the Scripture of his day, and its witness to
him. What did the combined witness of all of the Old Testament Scriptures
mentioned in this passage say about Jesus? Who is he, and what is his
mission? What in this passage was surprising or intriguing for you? Why?

In closing:

How does the emphasis on Jesus’ love for sinners, the outcast and the
blind apply to you? What does it say about the priorities his people should
operate by? Who are the poor, captive, blind or oppressed people on your
campus or living near you? What can your group do to show Jesus’ love
to them?

Simon Peter, a Humbled
Witness Luke 5:1-11

In what areas of your life do you feel confident or experienced or affirmed
by others? In what part of your life do you think you can handle things
fairly well by yourself?

In this study we
will look at a person who was a true professional, someone who could handle
things by himself-and yet who, in the context of his profession, learned
some amazing things about Jesus.

1. Ask someone who
enjoys reading to read the passage aloud-and dramatically. Everyone else
should follow along and notice as much as they can about the scene.

2. As you look at
the first five verses, put yourself in the scene. Pretend this is a movie.
Who is there? What sounds do you hear? What do you smell? What are your
visual impressions? (Note: Simon [also called Simon Peter and later
just Peter], James, and John have known Jesus for a year, but are not
yet his disciples. The Lake of Gennesaret is another name for the Lake
of Galilee, a harp-shaped lake 13 miles long and 6-7 miles across, circled
by gently rolling hills.)

3. Why do you think
Jesus gets into the boat? (Open water is a natural amplifier for sound.)

4. In verse 4, how
does the scene change? If you were Simon, how would you be feeling? What
would be on your mind? Consider what Jesus says to him in verse 4. What
difficulties would an experienced fisherman have with this suggestion?
(Night is often the best time for fishing and shallow areas are the
best places.) What do you notice in Simon’s response in verse 5?
What feelings and conflicts is Peter expressing?

5. Look at verses
6-7. What words and phrases in these verses indicate the size of the catch?
Why is the size of the catch significant?

6. What is Simon’s
reaction in verse 8? Is this what you would expect? From his reaction,
what do you think he perceives about Jesus? What does he perceive about
himself? Why do you think he says he is a sinful man? Why is this an especially
strong experience for Simon (being a fisherman)? What does his response
say about who Jesus is? What does this say about who we are?

7. What might Jesus
be saying to you about an area of your life where you feel confident,
or perhaps over-confident? What might he be saying to you about what trust
in him means, or what faith is?

8. Notice the way
Jesus responds to Simon in verse 10. How might he have responded? “You
will be catching people” (King James version: “I will make you fishers
of men”) is a famous phrase. What do you think it meant to Simon Peter?
What does it mean for you? Why does Jesus say this to Simon now, rather
than saying it earlier?

9. James and John
have watched this whole thing. What might have gone through their minds
as Jesus made the suggestion to Simon about putting out into the deep?

10. How does the
story end, in verse 11? If you had been one of these three fishermen,
what characteristics of Jesus would have led you to leave everything to
follow him? What do they learn in this experience that they’ll need in
the work they’ll be doing from now on?

In Closing:

What does it really mean to follow Jesus? How has Jesus shown his trustworthiness
to be followed? What did it mean for Peter, James, and John? What does
it mean for you? Is there anything holding you back from freely following
Jesus?

Or, summarize
Simon’s story (learning of Jesus, being skeptical of his command, following
his Word, seeing power demonstrated, repenting, being called to deeper
service). In what ways are these elements present in our stories-our spiritual
journeys?

The Roman Centurion: a Gentile Witness

Luke 7:1-10

Getting Started:

Faith is a word that we hear a lot. How would you define it? In this study
we are going to take a fresh look at what faith is, and what faith in Jesus
means in a practical way, through the witness of a Roman soldier. The setting
is the Jewish town of Capernaum on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus
has just finished teaching about practical obedience (6:46-49). He is now
interacting with a person in a crisis.

1. Have someone read
aloud Luke 7:1-10. Ask the group to be noticing the different kinds of
people involved in this experience.

2. Looking at the
first five verses, what is interesting about how the centurion approaches
Jesus?

3. This centurion
is part of the Roman occupation army in Israel at the time. He had authority
over 100 men. How do the people in an occupied country usually feel about
the occupying army? How is this centurion unusual? Why do you think he
would ask for help from Jesus? Why would he involve elders of the Jews?

4. Which words and
phrases in verses 4 and 5 indicate the regard of the Jewish leaders for
the centurion? Why do you think Jesus goes with them?

5. Consider the centurion’s
request in verse 3. Then look at his request in verses 6 and 7. What is
the difference in the two requests? Why do you think he changes what he
asks?

6. Why do you think
there is a contrast between the elders’ view of the centurion, verse 4,
and the centurion’s view of himself, verse 6? How is he showing trust
in Jesus in verse 7?

7. Contrast the authority
of the centurion and Jesus in terms of origin and extent (verses 7 and
8).

8. In what ways does
Jesus respond to the centurion’s faith in him? How are the different people
in this account affected by Jesus’ response?

9. What evidences
of true faith do you find in the centurion, from the start of the passage
on through? What does this true faith look like in this passage? How is
it expressed?

In Closing:

What are some ways we can show true, practical faith in Jesus’ care and
authority? What can we trust him for this week, and how can we demonstrate
our trust?

Looking back over
the studies we have done so far, how has your view of who Jesus is and
what it means to have faith in him grown or changed?

The Forgiven Woman: a Loving Witness

Luke 7:36-50

Getting Started:

Tell about a time in your life when you were incredibly thankful and relieved.

Jesus has been performing
great miracles before the people, and teaching with great authority. One
day, he accepts a dinner invitation into an astute citizen’s household,
and surprising things happen!

1. Have someone read
Luke 7:36-50. In verses 36-39, how is the woman described? Look carefully
at what she does. What different emotions does she express here? How do
you think she feels about herself? What would motivate this woman to crash
a dinner party, bring this expensive gift and weep before Jesus?

2. What might we
learn here about approaching Jesus?

3. In verse 39, how
does Simon, the host, react to this uninvited guest? How do you think
he feels about himself? How does he feel about Jesus? (Notice also the
deference he gives Jesus in verse 40.)

4. Jesus responds
to Simon with a story in verses 40-43. Notice all the facts. What is the
point of the story? What is the significance of the creditor’s canceling
the debts?

5. Notice the interesting
turn that Jesus takes toward Simon in verses 44-47. How is Simon different
from the woman? How is she better than he? Who do you think is the worse
sinner here, the woman or Simon? (Note: this is not an easily answered
question. There should be quite a bit of discussion since there are good
arguments on both sides.)

6. In verse 47, what
is the response that Jesus wants in those whom he forgives? Do you think
this characterizes the lives of those who are believers in Jesus, forgiven
by him? Does it characterize your life?

7. What is significant
about Jesus’ words in verse 48? Since only God can forgive sins, and Jesus
forgave sins, what is he saying about himself? How do the guests respond
(verse 49)?

8. How do you think
the woman felt in verse 50? How has she shown faith? According to the
witness of this woman, what is true faith in Jesus?

9. With which person
in this story do you most identify, and why?

In closing:

Go over again the woman’s steps to commitment and faith (deep repentance,
love for Jesus, unabashed and almost wasteful commitment to him, faith
put in him, sins forgiven). Have you ever made a deep commitment
of faith in Jesus like this woman? What would prevent you from doing that?

Or, many
students have difficulty believing that Jesus really loves them. If you
are in that situation, what barriers do you feel are hindering you from
accepting Jesus’ love? Perhaps pride like Simon’s? Or perhaps fear, or
broken trust? What would help you to begin breaking through these barriers
and accepting the love Jesus has for you? (Offer the group some extra
time to think through these issues. Allow those who wish to share their
thoughts to do so.)

Or, the
response that Jesus wants from those he forgives is love (verse 47). What
would it mean for you to love Jesus the way this woman did? Does this
love characterize your life? Your group’s life? How can you demonstrate
love this week?

The Witness of Peter and the Disciples

Luke 9:18-27

Picture yourself before a really big exam. What do you feel like? What is
going on in your head?

Jesus had been ministering
with his disciples for a few years. They had seen his mighty acts, heard
his powerful words. Now it is time for the big test. Would they know and
understand who he really is? Would they present a proper “witness” of
what they had seen and heard? This passage is a hinge point in Luke. After
this he “sets his face toward Jerusalem” where he knows he will die (verse
51).

1. Have someone read
Luke 9: 18-27. In verse 18, what does Jesus ask to get the disciples thinking?
Why do you think he asked a general question before his next very personal
and very specific question in verse 20?

2. Why do you think
people would have thought Jesus was John the Baptist? How would he have
reminded people of Elijah? Why do they think they thought that in Jesus
one of the ancient prophets had arisen?

3. Look at Peter’s
answer in verse 20. What do you think his own words meant to him? What
do they mean for us today?

4. Since Peter answered
the question correctly, one would assume Jesus would breathe a sigh of
relief and then commend Peter and the other disciples. But what does Jesus
do in verse 21? Why do you think he did this? How does the fact that he
must suffer, be rejected, be killed and rise again explain why the disciples
couldn’t tell the world that he is the Messiah at that point? (Remember
that he still had a year or so of ministry to go.)

5. Verses 23-26 are
a profound summary of what it means to be a follower of Jesus-a disciple,
one who learns from a teacher. What are three things in verse 23 that
one must do to become his follower? What do each of these mean for us
today?

6. What do you think
Jesus means by “lose their life for my sake” in verses 24-25? How does
this “save” our lives?

7. What does he not
want his followers to be, in verse 26? What would be the positive opposite
of being ashamed of him? Have you had opportunities recently to share
what you have experienced of him? How have you felt about the witness
that you shared?

8. The exact meaning
of verse 27 is controversial. What do you think he meant by “seeing the
kingdom of God?” (Some scholars think that the next incident, the
Transfiguration, helps fulfill this promise as does his resurrection,
the Spirit coming at Pentecost, etc.)

9. From this passage,
what does it mean for you to be a follower of Jesus?

In Closing-a
Review:

During our ten weeks of study, we have looked at a number of “witnesses”
to Jesus, each of whom told us something about him. That is what a witness
is, someone who has seen something and then tells what they have seen
or encountered. Quickly review each of the witnesses (perhaps write
them on a chalkboard, overhead, or easel) and consider what they
said about Jesus. What did they have in common, and how were they different?

Who was your favorite
witness, and why?

How have you grown
and changed in your knowledge of and relationship to Jesus during this
time? What impresses you about him? How have you experienced him during
these studies? How are you going to respond?

Many thanks to
those who gave valuable feedback in the writing and editing of these studies:
the Iowa staff team led by Lindsay Olesberg, Beth Krysl, Judy Johnson,
Fred Neubert, Shelley Soceka, Glen Ewart, Nancy Fox, Suzy Gaeddert, Scott
Eddlemon, Ann Beyerlein, Bob Wolniak, Paula Esealuka, John Seiders and
Donna Snow. Special thanks to Kathy Burrows (design) and Jeff Yourison
(editor).-Bob Grahmann

Studies 5,7,
and 8 are based on studies in the Bible & Life Study-Discussion
Guide for Luke. Study 9 is based on a study in the Jesus the
Lord study
guide published by the Great Lakes West Region of InterVarsity.

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to make and distribute verbatim copies of this article provided this permission
notice, and the copyright notice below are preserved on all copies.

© 1995 InterVarsity Christian Fellowship of the USA. All rights reserved.