Gospel of Luke | ONE
Use these scripture passages and discussion questions to engage God’s Word together.
Week 1
After Jesus asks him to come and follow, Matthew the tax collector hosts dinner in honor of Jesus with other tax collectors.
Matthew throws a party for Jesus and invites all of his friends. It appears that the Pharisees thought Jesus was guilty by association with these people they consider to be sinners. What is Jesus’ response? Why is that important?
The Pharisees point out that other followers of Judaism as well as John the Baptist’s disciples fasted and prayed. What perspective does Jesus offer in response?
Jesus then tells the parable of the wine skins. What is the new wine he is speaking of? What is the old wine?
The new wine needs to be stored in new wineskins. What point is he trying to make with the religious leaders? Would they find that offensive? Why?
Week 2
Luke 7:36 - 8:18
Jesus eats with pharisees and is anointed by a sinful woman.
In this scene Jesus is at dinner again. This time it is with a religious leader, a Pharisee. It is at this meal that a woman with a checkered reputation enters. She goes to Jesus, washes his feet with her hair, and anoints him with the perfumed oil.
In last week’s lesson, Jesus is having a meal with people who would have been considered sinners and rejects in their culture. This week he is having a meal with someone who would've been considered “holy” and a community leader. Why is this significant?
This woman, known to be a sinful person, treats Jesus very differently than the Pharisee did in his home. How would you articulate the difference? What is she doing for Jesus?
Why did the Pharisees grumble when Jesus said that her sins were forgiven?
Jesus makes a comparison between a person’s understanding of their sinfulness and the love they have for Jesus. Does the Pharisee need forgiveness? Does he think he needs forgiveness? Does he need forgiveness as much as this woman? Why is this important?
Week 3
Luke 10:25-10:42, Luke 11:37-11:54
In Luke chapter 11, Jesus is again invited to dine at a Pharisee’s house.
In the passage of Luke chapter 10, what is Jesus saying about priorities to Mary and Martha? What does that say to us today? How is that personal for you?
They were mad that Jesus did not wash for the meal. This is a practice that would’ve been extremely familiar to Jesus. Do you think Jesus did this on purpose? Why or why not?
What is Jesus referring to with the analogy of the inside and outside of the cup? What is the inside or outside of the cup?
In verses 42-44, Jesus proclaims three “woes” to the Pharisees. Why is Jesus so confrontational in the situation? What is the heart attitude he has addressing?
Week 4
The banquet invitations and three lost treasures.
Starting at Luke 14:15, Jesus tells us a parable about a great banquet. Who is Jesus referring to as those first invited to the banquet?
They give three different excuses for not attending the banquet. What do these three excuses have in common?
What is the man's response? Who does he then go and invite to the party? Who do you think they represent in this parable?
In Luke chapter 15, Jesus talks about three more treasures. This time they are lost to their various owners or relationships. What are the three treasures?
What did these parables say about the priority of these lost treasures? How valuable are they?
What do you see if you compare the treasures from chapter 14 to chapter 15? Are there any parallels? Are they speaking to the same sense of priorities in God's kingdom?
Week 5
Luke 17:1-19, Luke 18:1-30. Servants coming in from the field and two men in the temple.
In Luke 17:7, Jesus tells a difficult parable about servants coming in from the field. He had just gotten through talking to them about people who cause others to sin, repentance, and forgiveness. Who do you think the servants coming in from the field are?
What does this parable have to say about authority and gratitude?
The Pharisees and religious leaders acted as if their good works obligated God to bless them. How would you contrast that attitude with the one Jesus is illustrating here?
Luke 18:9-14 again illustrates the difference in attitude between Pharisees and those who please God. Why do the Pharisees have contempt for these other people they refer to as “sinners?”
Jesus clearly tells us what attitude he prefers. What parallels do you see between this parable and the one we discussed from Luke chapter 17? What attitude is Jesus condemning? What attitude is Jesus applauding?
Week 6
Luke 22:1-62, Luke 23:26-56, Luke 24. The Last Supper, Crucifixion, and Resurrection
Jesus gathered with his disciples to observe the Passover meal as they had done many times before. Passover was always to observe and remember how God rescued Israel from Egypt. But this time, it was significantly different. How does Jesus reframe the Passover meal? What does it mean to his disciples and future Christ followers?
In Luke 22: 24- 27, Jesus gives a lesson on leadership. In his kingdom, what does leadership look like as opposed to authority in the rest of the world?
In Luke 22:66-71 the religious leaders ask Jesus if he is the Christ prophesied in the Scriptures. He has an interesting answer for them. What was his response? What did these religious leaders believe he said?
In Luke 23:34, after all their slander, lies, and brutality, Jesus prays over those who are in the process of murdering him. What does Jesus ask of his heavenly Father? What do you think his motive is?
From Luke 24. After the crucifixion, Jesus was buried. Some women saw him entombed on Friday. On Sunday, they returned to the tomb. What were they expecting to see? What were they anticipating they would do? How did the disciples respond to what they found? Why is that significant?
Starting in verse 36, Jesus appears to the disciples as they are speaking about him. He invites them to touch him, and he actually shares a meal with them. What does this say about resurrection? Why is it important that he physically appeared to them? What does it say about our own bodies?
At the end of this chapter, Jesus explains how the Old Testament scriptures are fulfilled in him. He then tells them to wait in Jerusalem as the witnesses of everything he had done. He then ascends back to his Father in heaven. Why did he ask them to wait in Jerusalem? What was their cause for celebration? How does that inform how you and I celebrate the resurrection of Jesus today?