Luke 9-16

Answers

2009

Chapter 9 – A Many-Sided Ministry

Many miracles have taken place: Jairus’s daughter is raised from the dead; the woman who bled for twelve years is cured by her faith; a legion (a Roman legion consisted of 6,000 men) of demons is cast out; the storm on the Sea of Galilee is stilled and many more miracles and healings, as well as teaching by parables, have occurred. Now it is time for the disciples to see first hand what it is like to have the power of the Holy Spirit given to have power and authority over demons and cure diseases (9:1). Jesus gave the twelve a ministry to preach the kingdom and heal the sick.

What does this tell you about how Jesus operates the ministry of the kingdom? (A) It is significant that before sending the twelve out, He gave them the equipment they needed to get the job done, as well as the instructions to follow.
How might you describe the commission He gave them? (A) He gave them power which is the ability to accomplish the task; authority is the right to do it. But the most important ministry He gave them was that of preaching the Gospel, declaring the Good News.
*Note: There is some heated debate whether these gifts were given specifically to the Apostles and are not valid today, or if these same gifts are given to some even today. It would seem, given the context of the verse in 4:1, that Jesus signaled out the twelve from the many disciples He had and gave these twelve specific powers and authority. It was not a general calling. 2 Corinthians 12:12 bears this out – “When I was with you I certainly gave you every proof that I am truly an Apostle, sent to you by God Himself. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you.” See also Acts 2:43; 4:30; 5:12; 14:3: Rom. 15:19: Hebrews 2:3,4. These verses seem to bear out a very valid view that the supernatural powers demonstrated by Jesus and His Apostles were for the Father’s divine confirmation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This authentication of the message was the purpose of such miraculous deeds. When we examine the Spiritual gifts given in 1 Cor. 12-14, some may argue that some of the same gifts as seen in Luke 9 are given to believers today, all blessed with one or more spiritual gifts. However, it would seem to be more accurate to say that these gifts were given, once again, to authenticate the gospel of Christ and many were meant for that time of great turbulence and the growth of the church. Either way, all those blessed with these gifts are empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish God’s will, not self-glory and gain. God gives and takes away for His purpose and pleasure. We cannot, and will not, be dogmatic about these debatable matters of doctrine.
In the story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, we can see principles of faith that we too must put to the test. Name some of these principles. (A) It was more than just an act of mercy for hungry people. It was also a sign of our Lord’s Messiahship for only God could do what He did. It was also an illustration of the way God graciously provides for man’s salvation, because, as the story continues in John 6:22-59, the people are urged to receive the “bread of life”, just as they received the physical bread earlier. It teaches us to have compassion, to look on problems as opportunities for God to work, and to give Him all we have and trust Him to meet the needs. If we give Him all we can, He will step in and do the rest.
In Verses 18-21, why does Jesus ask, “Who do you think I am?” (A) This applies to every person on earth, past, present and future. What we think about Jesus determines our eternal destiny (see John 8:24)! You need to know!
Jesus now addresses the crowd, not just the twelve. “Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow Me (v. 23).” Is He talking about discipleship or about sonship (becoming sons of God through salvation)? (A) He is talking about discipleship. We are not saved from our sins because we take up the cross and follow Jesus, but because we trust the Savior who died on the cross for our sins. After we become children of God, then we become disciples.
What can we learn from Jesus’ rebuke in v.56? (A) It shows us the attitude the church ought to have with regard to all forms of religious persecution. Jesus was not angry at the Samaritans refusal to receive Him, rather, He responded with grace. Our commission is to be witnesses, not judges.

Chapter 10 – Jesus Gives Thanks

The ministry of the kingdom continues as Christ prepares another set of disciples to go and preach the Good News to the cities He is about to visit. The number seventy-two is given as to the number of disciples and suggests the universality of His message – He wants His message to be preached to the entire world. He tells them about the fullness of the harvest and the lack of laborers and tells them to pray.

Who is to pray and for what purpose? (A) V.3 – the laborers, instead of praying for an easier job, were to pray more laborers to join them. It was the laborers, not the spectators, who pray for more laborers. Too many Christians pray for somebody else to do a job they are unwilling to do themselves!
His warning is strong to those who reject the disciples. Explain. (A) In v.3, He tells them that they are being sent out as lambs among wolves, facing spiritual danger and hostility to their message. They were to shake off “the dust of the city” (v.11) if that city rejected the message. Verse 16 says, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting Me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting Me. And anyone who rejects Me is rejecting God who sent Me.” Those who reject Him will be brought down to the place of the dead, meaning the Lake of Fire in eternity.
What does Jesus tells His disciples to rejoice in. (A) V. 19 - He gave them authority to crush snakes and scorpions and power over the enemy which refers back to Genesis 3:15, when God curses Satan, the serpent. Their joy is not to be because of their success against Satan, which is the work of the Spirit, but because their names are “registered in heaven.” He is talking about their names being already, from before the foundation of the earth, written in the Lambs Book of Life.” The verb tense of the Greek word means “it stands written”; as a legal document, it stands written forever. This is our assurance, that God has already written every believers name in His Book of Life (Phil. 4:3; Heb.12: 23; Rev. 21:27).
A recurring theme runs through scripture and Jesus mentions it in verse 22. (A) This talks about the sovereignty of God. All things given by the Father to Jesus, no one knows the Father except the Son, and no one can come to know the Father except by the will of the Son (see John 6:44).
A certain lawer of the Jews asks Jesus about the way to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells Him that the answer is already written in the Law. What is wrong about the last part of His answer (v.29)? (A) His answer was correct, that is, to love God and to love one’s neighbor. Jesus says that if he kept these commandments, he would indeed have eternal life. His response should have been, “How can I do this? I am not able. I need help! Instead he cops out by saying, “Who is my neighbor?” Justification comes only through God – we are not able to ever love enough to earn us eternal life.

Chapter 11 – Learning Life’s Lessons

The teaching in this chapter comes out of a prayer meeting, a miracle, and an invitation to diner. Jesus, the great teacher, uses these to give instruction about four important topics: prayer, Satan, spiritual opportunity, and hypocrisy.

The Priority of Prayer – What do we see in these opening verses that tells us of the priority of prayer? (A) Once again, we see Jesus in prayer. We see Him pray at His baptism, before He chose the twelve, when the crowds increased, before He asked the disciples for their confession of faith (9:18) and at His transfiguration. If Jesus, the perfect Son of God, had to depend on prayer, then how much more do we need to pray?
The Pattern for Prayer – Jesus responds to the disciples’ request for Him to teach them to pray. It does not mean that we have to pray these exact words, but to extract the principles given and use them to pattern our own prayers. Can you see some of the principles taught here? (A) It teaches us that true prayer depends on a spiritual relationship with God that enables us to call Him “Father” and this can come only through faith in Jesus (Rom. 8:14-17). True prayer involves responsibilities: honoring God’s Kingdom and doing His will (v.2). The purpose of prayer is not to get man’s will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth. Prayer is asking God to use us to accomplish what He wants so that His name is glorified and His kingdom is extended and strengthened. When we have our relationship straight with Him, then we can ask Him to provide our needs (not our greeds!), to forgive us for what we have done wrong yesterday, and to lead us in the future.
The Persistence of Prayer – Jesus tells two parables to illustrate why persistence in prayer is important. The point in the parable of the persistent friend illustrates that if a tired and selfish neighbor finally meets the need of a bothersome friend, how much more will a loving heavenly Father meet the needs of His own children. Why does the Father answer prayer? (A) Not just to meet the needs of His children, he never fails to do that, but to meet them in such a way that brings glory to His name. So keep on seeking, keep on asking, keep on knocking, not just in times of need, but keep in constant communion with the Father – He will either answer or show us why He can not answer.
Satan- Verses 14-28 tell us that Christ’s power is not from Satan, the very charge made by the Jews against Jesus. Jesus answers them with a Question, “ If Satan is fighting against himself by empowering Me to cast out demons, how can his kingdom survive? And if I am empowered by the prince of demons, what about your own followers (18,19)? What was Jesus saying? (A) First - Their accusation was illogical. Why would Satan fight against himself and divide his own kingdom? Second – their charges were self-incriminating. By what power were the Jews casting out demons (19)? Bur if Jesus is casting out demons by God’s power, then, for sure, the kingdom has finally arrived (20).
Spiritual Opportunity – Jesus uses three illustrations to show the seriousness of spiritual opportunities. All three involved Gentiles. (1) Jonah – they asked Jesus for a sign to validate His ministry. He gave them the sign of Jonah. What does He mean? (A) As Jonah was a sign to Nineveh to repent, so too did Jesus come calling sinners to repent. His emergence from the belly of the fish pictured Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. It is the resurrection of the Lord that proves He is the Messiah, the Son of God. (2) Solomon – He had an encounter with the Queen of Sheba, who came to seek his wisdom. What is the opportunity seen here? (A) The Jews have Jesus Christ, the Messiah, One greater than Solomon ever was! Even this pagan queen will testify in judgment against the Jews of that generation who refused to believe in Him! (3) The light – A familiar source of teaching for Jesus. Scripture says that God’s Word is a light that shines in this dark world. How does that apply to spiritual opportunity? (A) It is not enough that light is shining externally; it must enter our lives before it can do any good. How? When we trust Jesus as Savior, our eyes are opened, the light shines in, and we become children of the light (John 8:12; Eph. 5:8-14). Most importantly, we need to have a single outlook of faith. If we keep one eye on the things of this world, the light will turn into darkness. God demands total submission and obedience (11:23).
Jesus is invited to diner by a Pharisee and surprises him by not washing first, but immediately reclining at the table. He does this to make a point. What is the point? (A) Their basic error was thinking that righteousness was only a matter of external actions, and they minimized internal attitudes. He encourages them to change –“Give to the needy what you greedily possess, and you will be clean all over (v.41).”
Does this mean that you only have to give to the needy and you will be saved? (A) Again, it is a matter of the heart. When your heart is right, you will not have greed that possesses you, but you will instead have a clean heart, filled with the true love of the Savior. Do not make this life about you!

Chapter 12 – A Warning Against Hypocrisy

Jesus continues His condemnation of the Pharisees by warning His disciples, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees – beware of their hypocrisy (12:1).” Hypocrisy was a reoccurring theme with Christ. He condemned the Jewish leaders because they made a mockery of all of the godly principles taught in the Old Testament. He called them “hypocrites,” actors – ones who play a part.

How is hypocrisy compare to leaven? (A) Every Jew knew that leaven represented evil, or sin. Like yeast, or leaven, hypocrisy begins very small but grows quickly and quietly. As it grows, it infects the whole person. Hypocrisy does to the ego what yeast does to bread dough: it puffs it up.
Reading verses 4-7, what can you say is the leading cause of hypocrisy? (A) Jesus mentions it several times – fear, the fear of man. When we are afraid of what others may say about us or do to us, then we try to impress them in order to gain their approval. We will even lie to accomplish our purposes!
Verses 10-12 often bring up questions about the unpardonable sin. How can one speak against Jesus and still be forgiven, but blaspheme the Spirit and be condemned? (A) Verse 11-12 holds the key. This statement is connected with the ministry of the Holy Spirit in and through the Apostles and directed to the Jews. The Jews rejected the Father when they rejected John and refused to repent. They rejected the Son when they had Him crucified, but that sin could still be forgiven because there was still the ministry of the Spirit. We see Jesus pray for Israel while still on the cross. Then God sent the Spirit at Pentecost to minister through the Apostles and other believers. This was the last opportunity for the nation of Israel and they failed by rejecting the witness of the Spirit. The “unpardonable sin” today is the rejection of Jesus Christ. The Spirit witnesses through the Word and people can certainly reject that witness. But the Spirit bears witness to Christ, so the way people treat the Spirit is the way they treat the Son.
The rest of the chapter consists of parables concerning trusting God to care for your every need and always being prepared for His return. What is the qualifier Jesus uses in v.31? (A) He will give you all you need if you make the kingdom of God your primary concern.
Who is the servant in v.43? What is his reward? (A) Every true believer who manages well the spiritual riches God has put in his care. Honor and reward at the end time will be his.

Chapter 13 – A Call To Repentance

Jesus responds to certain events in which sinners have died.

How does He respond? What is the significance of His use of “worse” sinners? (A) Many believed (and still do) that particular sins are punished by disaster and sudden death. Jesus does not deny this and indeed, God sometimes sends calamities (see Job) to achieve His purpose. But He does challenge their idea that the Jews were superior to those who suffered such calamities. He calls for all to repent and now is the time to do it! Judgment comes to all who do not repent.
As Jesus continues His relentless journey towards certain death in Jerusalem, the once committed followers are becoming scarcer, the crowds are thinning and His message is now designed to discourage the half-hearted. Someone asks Him (v.23), ”Lord, will only a few be saved?” He answers with a story about the narrow gate. Explain in your own words what this lesson means to you. Have you entered the narrow gate? _______________________________________________________________________.
Verse 24 tells us to “work hard to get in…” Can one earn heaven by working hard for it? By belonging to a certain denomination or religion? Can you save yourself? If not, how are you saved? (A) No one can enter heaven by working for it. Salvation is by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). But it is difficult to walk the Christian walk because of all of life’s temptations, Satan’s traps and his opposition to truth, and because of a person’s own selfish pride.
If you cannot work for it, is it OK to just go along for the ride, call yourself a Christian, maybe be baptized and attend church? (A) Vs. 24-27 are clear. He will say to those, “I do not know you!”

Chapter 14 – The Sabbath

Jesus attends a diner at a prominent Pharisee’s house on a Sabbath. He used the situation to heal a man with dropsy (an unusual accumulation of water in one’s tissues). Jesus takes the initiative and heals the man. Why do it on the Sabbath? (A) He was trying to get them to understand that their religious practices were insincere and external only. What better day to heal someone than on the Lord’s Day? What about the heart?

Have you ever seen one of those preachers who scream for you to name it and claim it, to demand from God what you want, to exercise your right to all the riches in heaven and on earth? Is this what Jesus is referring to in vs. 7-14? (A) Jesus, the humble Servant, also asks us to be humble and the riches of heaven will indeed be ours. Put others first. Prefer one another.
In His lesson on discipleship (vs. 25-35), Jesus says that to be His disciple, one must be willing to bear his own cross and follow Him. He urges them to “count the cost” (v28) and to “consider if he is able” (v32). Why? (A) The crowds were positive but uncommitted (sounds like today!). Far from making it easy for them to respond positively, He set the cost of discipleship as high as possible and encouraged them to do a careful inventory before declaring their willingness to follow. We do a great disservice to lead one to Christ by telling him/her that all they have to do is believe. For salvation – yes. But the Christian life goes far beyond that. You must be willing to pay the cost!

Chapter 15 – The Lost Sheep

Jesus’ message seemed to attract the outcasts of society while falling on the deaf ears of the privileged. In fact, the religious leaders were incensed at Him for associating with those considered unclean and outcasts. Jesus counters with three illustrations of the joy of God over the repentance of sinners.

In the first story of the lost sheep, Jesus asks them if they would not leave the flock to recover the one lost sheep. What does this illustrate? (A) That God is taking the initiative in seeking sinners. Rabbis taught that God would receive sinners who sought His forgiveness, but Jesus taught that God is the One seeking the sinner!
Who does the “one sheep” represent? The 99 other sheep? (A) The one represents those sinners with whom Jesus was eating. The 99 refers to the Pharisees who considered themselves righteous and therefore in no need to repent.
What is the point of the story of the lost coin? (A) That the sinners with whom Jesus was associating were extremely valuable to God.
In the parable of the Prodigal Son, what would the Jews have considered to be the point of the story? (A) Jesus had been criticized for associating with sinners. The sinners were considered people who were far away from God, squandering their lives in riotous living. In contrast with the younger son, the older son (the Jews) continued to remain with the father and did not live in sin.
Some believe that the story teaches a believers restoration to fellowship with God. One cannot lose something he does not own, so the first two parables must represent children of God who come back to Him. The prodigal story must be teaching that people who are believers can be restored to fellowship with God. Others believe that lost people (those not believers) can come to Christ. First – Jesus was speaking to Pharisees who were rejecting the kingdom. They objected that sinners were coming to Jesus and believing His message. Second- That the son who came back received a new position which he did not have before (22-24).
What is the significance of the way the Father greets the lost son? Of the feast? (A) God the Father rejoices and, full of compassion, greets the son (sinners), hugs and kisses him, and gives him a new position with a robe, a ring, and sandals. The feast represents the coming kingdom and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, in which all believers join in celebration of their inclusion into the kingdom.

Chapter 16 – The Story of the Shrewd Manager

Jesus is now finished talking to the Pharisees and turns to His disciples with a lesson on stewardship. The story is difficult because it seems to commend dishonesty; of course, it does not.

In the story, who is the rich man? The steward? (A) God Himself is the rich man. The steward is one who is entrusted with the management of another person’s property. Any disciple of the Lord is a steward, but in this story, he is one accused of embezzling his master’s money.
Why does the master commend the guilty steward when he is discovered (16:8)? (A) He was not commended for his dishonesty, but rather for his foresight. He looked to the future and made provision for it.
How can we make proper application to this story? (A) The future of the child of God is not on this earth, but in heaven. Just as the steward took steps to insure that he would have friends during his retirement here below, so the Christian should use his Master’s goods in such a way to insure a welcoming party when he gets to heaven.
How do we use the Master’s goods? (A) In verse 9, we are told to “Make use of our worldly resources and make friends. In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you in heaven.” How? Use money and other material things to win souls for Christ. You can purchase Bibles, books, tracts, etc. and sow those seeds wisely to win others to Christ.
V.12 talks about “Not being faithful with other people’s money, so why should you be trusted with money of your own?” What differentiates the two? (A) All that we have, our money, our time, our talents – belong to the Lord, and we are to use them for Him. That which is our own refers to rewards in heaven, which we reap in this life and in the life to come because of our faithful service for Christ. If we have not been faithful in what is His, how can He give us what is our own?
The Pharisees rejected the story of the shrewd manager because their entire philosophy was built around the OT teaching that riches were a sign of God’s blessing and favor. To them, money was more real than the teachings of God. He tells them a parable about two men, Lazarus and a rich man and their interaction. How can we see that the rich man was not saved? (A) By the careless disregard of the beggar Lazarus who was laid at his gate to beg. If he had the love of God in him, he would not have lived in luxury while a poor man was starving at his door.
Where do we next see Lazarus? The rich man? (A) We see him with Abraham (in “Abraham’s Bosom”), the body buried and his soul now in heaven, the place of all believers. The rich man is in Hades, the Greek word for the OT word Sheol, the state of departed souls, the place for unbelievers, the unsaved. At the Great White Throne Judgment, the bodies, spirits, and souls of unbelievers will be reunited, judged, and thrown into the Lake of Fire.
What do we learn from this story? (A) The choices of this life determine our eternal destiny, and once death takes place, that destiny is forever.

Luke 9-16

Questions

2009

Chapter 9 – A Many-Sided Ministry

Many miracles have taken place – Jairus’s daughter is raised from the dead; the woman who bled for twelve years is cured by her faith; a legion (a Roman legion consisted of 6,000 men) of demons is cast out; the storm on the Sea of Galilee is stilled; and many more miracles and healings, as well as teaching by parables, have occurred. Now it is time for the disciples to see first hand what it is like to have the power of the Holy Spirit given to have power and authority over demons and cure diseases (9:1). Jesus gave the twelve a ministry to preach the kingdom and heal the sick.

What does this tell you about how Jesus operates the ministry of the kingdom? (A) It is significant that before sending the twelve out, He gave them the _________ they needed to get the job done, as well as the ___________ to follow.
How might you describe the commission He gave them? (A) He gave them _______which is the ______ to accomplish the task; authority is the right to do it. But the most important ministry He gave them was that of _________ the Gospel, declaring the Good News.
*Note: There is some debate whether these gifts were given specifically to the Apostles and are not valid today, or if these same gifts are given to some even today. It would seem, given the context of the verse in 4:1, that Jesus signaled out the twelve from the many disciples He had and gave these twelve specific ______ and ________. It was not a general calling. 2 Corinthians 12:12 bears this out – “When I was with you I certainly gave you every proof that I am truly an ______, sent to you by God Himself. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you.” See also Acts 2:43; 4:30; 5:12; 14:3; Rom. 15:19; Hebrews 2:3,4. These verses seem to bear out a very valid view that the supernatural powers demonstrated by Jesus and His Apostles were for the Father’s divine __________ of the ______ of Jesus Christ. This ___________ of the message was the purpose of such miraculous deeds. When we examine the Spiritual gifts given in 1 Cor. 12-14, some may argue that some of the same gifts as seen in Luke 9 are given to believers today, all blessed with one or more spiritual gifts. However, it would seem to be more accurate to say that these gifts were given, once again, to authenticate the gospel of Christ and many were meant for that time of great turbulence and the ______ of the church. Either way, all those are blessed with these gifts are ___________ by the Holy Spirit to accomplish God’s will, not self-glory and gain. God gives and takes away for His purpose and pleasure. We cannot, and will not, be dogmatic about these debatable matters of doctrine.

In the story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, we can see principles of faith that we too must put to the test. Name some of these principles. (A) It was more than just an act of _________ for hungry people. It was also a sign of our Lord’s Messiahship for only God could do what He did. It was also an illustration of the way God graciously provides for man’s ________, because, as the story continues in John 6:22-59, the people are urged to receive the “bread of life”, just as they received the physical bread earlier. It teaches us to have ___________, to look on problems as _________ for God to work, and to give Him ____ we have and ____ Him to meet the needs. If we give Him all we can, He will ___ in and do the rest.
In Verses 18-21, why does Jesus ask, “Who do you think I am?” (A) This applies to every person on earth, past, present and future. What we think about Jesus ___________ our _______ destiny (see John 8:24)! You need to know!
Jesus now addresses the crowd, not just the twelve. “Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow Me (v. 23).” Is He talking about discipleship or about sonship (becoming sons of God through salvation)? (A) He is talking about ______. We are not ______ from our sins because we take up the cross and follow Jesus, but because we ____ the Savior who died on the cross for our sins. _______ we become _________ of God, then we become ___________.
What can we learn from Jesus’ rebuke in v.56? (A) It shows us the ________ the church ought to have with regard to all forms of religious __________. Jesus was not angry at the Samaritans _________ to receive Him, rather, He responded with _______. Our commission is to be __________, not judges.

Chapter 10 – Jesus Gives Thanks

Who is to pray and for what purpose? (A) V.3 – the ________, instead of praying for an easier job, were to pray more laborers to join them. It was the laborers, not the _____________, who pray for more laborers. Too many Christians pray for __________ _______ to do a job they are unwilling to do themselves!
His warning is strong to those who reject the disciples. Explain. (A) In v.3, He tells them that they are being sent out as _______ among ______, facing spiritual danger and hostility to their message. They were to shake off “the dust of the city” (v.11) if that city rejected the message. Verse 16 says, “Anyone who accepts your message is also _________ _____. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting Me. And anyone who rejects Me is rejecting God who sent Me.” Those who reject Him will be brought down to the place of the ______, meaning the ______ of ______ in eternity.
What does Jesus tells His disciples to rejoice in. (A) V. 19 - He gave them authority to crush snakes and scorpions and power over the enemy which refers back to Genesis 3:15, when God curses Satan, the serpent. Their joy is not to be because of their ______ against Satan, which is the work of the ____, but because their names are “__________ in heaven.” He is talking about their names being already, from before the foundation of the earth, written in the ______ _____ of ______.” The verb tense of the Greek word means “it stands written”; as a legal document, it stands written ________. This is our _______, that God has already written every believers name in His Book of Life (Phil. 4:3;Heb. 12:23; Rev. 21:27).
A recurring theme runs through scripture and Jesus mentions it in verse 22. (A) This talks about the __________ of God. All things given by the Father to Jesus, no one knows the Father except the Son, and no one can come to know the Father except by the _______ of the Son (see John 6:44).
A certain lawer of the Jews asks Jesus about the way to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells Him that the answer is already written in the Law. What is wrong about the last part of His answer (v.29)? (A) His answer was correct, that is, to love God and to love one’s neighbor. Jesus says that if he kept these commandments, he would indeed have eternal life. His response should have been, “How can I do this? I am ___ _____. I need _____! Instead he cops out by saying, “Who is my neighbor?” Justification comes only through God – we are not able to ever love enough to ______ us eternal life.

Chapter 11 – Learning Life’s Lessons

The Priority of Prayer – What do we see in these opening verses that tells us of the priority of prayer? (A) Once again, we see Jesus in prayer. We see Him pray at His baptism, before He chose the twelve, when the crowds increased, before He asked the disciples for their confession of faith (9:18) and at His transfiguration. If Jesus, the perfect Son of God, had to _______ on prayer, then how much more do we need to pray?
The Pattern for Prayer – Jesus responds to the disciples’ request for Him to teach them to pray. It does not mean that we have to pray these exact words, but to extract the principles given and use them to pattern our own prayers. Can you see some of the principles taught here? (A) It teaches us that true prayer depends on a _________ _________ with God that enables us to call Him “Father” and this can come only through _______ in Jesus (Rom. 8:14-17). True prayer involves responsibilities: honoring God’s _______ and doing His ____ (v.2). The purpose of prayer is not to get _______ will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth. Prayer is asking God to use us to accomplish what He wants so that His name is glorified and His kingdom is extended and strengthened. When we have our relationship straight with Him, then we can ask Him to _______ our needs (not our greeds!), to ________ us for what we have done wrong yesterday, and to _______ us in the future.
The Persistence of Prayer – Jesus tells two parables to illustrate why persistence in prayer is important. The point in the parable of the persistent friend illustrates that if a tired and selfish neighbor finally meets the need of a bothersome friend, how much more will a loving heavenly Father meet the needs of His own children. Why does the Father answer prayer? (A) Not just to meet the needs of His children, he never fails to do that, but to meet them in such a way that brings _______ to His name. So keep on seeking, keep on asking, keep on knocking, not just in times of need, but keep in ________ communion with the Father – He will either answer or show us why He can not answer.
Satan- Verses 14-28 tell us that Christ’s power is not from Satan, the very charge made by the Jews against Jesus. Jesus answers them with a Question, “ If Satan is fighting against himself by empowering Me to cast out demons, how can his kingdom survive? And if I am empowered by the prince of demons, what about your own followers (18,19)?” What was Jesus saying? (A) First - Their accusation was ________. Why would Satan fight against himself and divide his own kingdom? Second – their charges were ____-___________. By what power were the Jews casting out demons (19)? Bur if Jesus is casting out demons by God’s power, then, for sure, the kingdom has finally arrived (20).
Spiritual Opportunity – Jesus uses three illustrations to show the seriousness of spiritual opportunities. All three involved Gentiles. (1) Jonah – they asked Jesus for a sign to validate His ministry. He gave them the sign of Jonah. What does He mean? (A) As Jonah was a sign to Nineveh to _______, so too did Jesus come calling sinners to repent. His emergence from the belly of the fish pictured Christ’s ______, ______, and ___________. It is the resurrection of the Lord that proves He is the Messiah, the Son of God. (2) Solomon – He had an encounter with the Queen of Sheba, who came to seek his wisdom. What is the opportunity seen here? (A) The Jews have Jesus Christ, the __________, One greater than Solomon ever was! Even this pagan queen will testify in _________ against the Jews of that generation who refused to believe in Him! (3) The light – A familiar source of teaching for Jesus. Scripture says that God’s Word is a light that shines in this dark world. How does that apply to spiritual opportunity? (A) It is not enough that light is shining externally; it must ____ our lives before it can do any good. How? When we ______ Jesus as Savior, our eyes are opened, the light shines in, and we become children of the light (John 8:12; Eph. 5:8-14). Most importantly, we need to have a single outlook of faith. If we keep one eye on the things of this world, the light will turn into darkness. God demands total _____________ and ___________ (11:23).
Jesus is invited to diner by a Pharisee and surprises him by not washing first, but immediately reclining at the table. He does this to make a point. What is the point? (A) Their basic error was thinking that righteousness was only a matter of ________ actions, and they minimized internal _______. He encourages them to change –“Give to the needy what you greedily possess, and you will be clean all over (v.41).”
Does this mean that you only have to give to the needy and you will be saved? (A) Again, it is a matter of the _____. When your heart is right, you will not have ______ that possesses you, but you will instead have a clean heart, filled with the true love of the Savior. Do not make this life about you!

Chapter 12 – A Warning Against Hypocrisy

How is hypocrisy compare to leaven? (A) Every Jew knew that leaven represented _____, or sin. Like yeast, or leaven, hypocrisy begins very _____ but grows quickly and quietly. As it grows, it _______ the whole person. Hypocrisy does to the ______ what yeast does to bread dough: it puffs it up.
Reading verses 4-7, what can you say is the leading cause of hypocrisy? (A) Jesus mentions it several times – _____, the fear of _____. When we are afraid of what others may say about us or do to us, then we try to impress them in order to gain their approval. We will even lie to accomplish our purposes!
Verses 10-12 often bring up questions about the unpardonable sin. How can one speak against Jesus and still be forgiven, but blaspheme the Spirit and be condemned? (A) Verse 11-12 holds the key. This statement is connected with the ministry of the Holy Spirit in and through the ________ and directed to the ___. The Jews rejected the Father when they rejected John and refused to repent. They rejected the Son when they had Him crucified, but that sin could still be forgiven because there was still the ministry of the ______. We see Jesus pray for Israel while still on the cross. Then God sent the Spirit at __________ to minister through the Apostles and other believers. This was the last opportunity for the nation of Israel and they failed by _________ the witness of the Spirit. The “unpardonable sin” today is the rejection of _______ _____. The Spirit witnesses through the Word and people can certainly reject that witness. But the Spirit bears witness to Christ, so the way people treat the Spirit is the way they treat the Son.
The rest of the chapter consists of parables concerning trusting God to care for your every need and always being prepared for His return. What is the qualifier Jesus uses in v.31? (A) He will give you all you ____ __ you make the kingdom of God your primary concern.
Who is the servant in v.43? What is his reward? (A) Every _____ ________ who manages well the _____ riches God has put in his care. Honor and reward at the ______ time will be his.

Chapter 13 – A Call To Repentance

Jesus responds to certain events in which sinners have died.

How does He respond? What is the significance of His use of “worse” sinners? (A) Many believed (and still do) that particular sins are punished by _______ and sudden _______. Jesus does not deny this and indeed, God sometimes sends calamities (see Job) to achieve His purpose. But He does challenge their idea that the Jews were ________ to those who suffered such calamities. He calls for all to _____ and ______ is the time to do it! Judgment comes to all who do not repent.
As Jesus continues His relentless journey towards certain death in Jerusalem, the once committed followers are becoming scarcer, the crowds are thinning and His message is now designed to discourage the half-hearted. Someone asks Him (v.23), ”Lord, will only a few be saved?” He answers with a story about the narrow gate. Explain in your own words what this lesson means to you. Have you entered the narrow gate? _______________________________________________________________________.
Verse 24 tells us to “work hard to get in…” Can one earn heaven by working hard for it? By belonging to a certain denomination or religion? Can you save yourself? If not, how are you saved? (A) No one can enter heaven by working for it. Salvation is by ____ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). But it is difficult to walk the Christian walk because of all of life’s temptations, Satan’s traps and his opposition to truth, and because of a person’s own selfish pride.
If you cannot work for it, is it OK to just go along for the ride, call yourself a Christian, maybe be baptized and attend church? (A) Vs. 24-27 are clear. He will say to those, “I do not _____ you!”

Chapter 14 – The Sabbath

Jesus attends a diner at a prominent Pharisee’s house on a Sabbath. He used the situation to heal a man with dropsy (an unusual accumulation of water in one’s tissues). Jesus takes the initiative and heals the man. Why do it on the Sabbath? (A) He was trying to get them to understand that their religious practices were ______ and ________ only. What better day to heal someone than on the Lord’s day? What about the heart?

Have you ever seen one of those preachers who scream for you to name it and claim it, to demand from God what you want, to exercise your right to all the riches in heaven and on earth? Is this what Jesus is referring to in vs. 7-14? (A) Jesus, the humble Servant, also asks us to be ______ and the riches of heaven will indeed be ours. Put _______ first. Prefer one another.
In His lesson on discipleship (vs. 25-35), Jesus says that to be His disciple, one must be willing to bear his own cross and follow Him. He urges them to “count the cost” (v28) and to “consider if he is able” (v32). Why? (A) The crowds were positive but _________ (sounds like today!). Far from making it easy for them to respond positively, He set the _______ of discipleship as high as possible and encouraged them to do a careful inventory before declaring their __________ to follow. We do a great disservice to lead one to Christ by telling him/her that all they have to do is believe. For salvation – yes. But the Christian life goes far beyond that. You must be willing to pay the cost!

Chapter 15 – The Lost Sheep

In the first story of the lost sheep, Jesus asks them if they would not leave the flock to recover the one lost sheep. What does this illustrate? (A) That God is taking the _____ in _________ sinners. Rabbis taught that God would receive sinners who ______ His forgiveness, but Jesus taught that ___ is the One seeking the sinner!
Who does the “one sheep” represent? The 99 other sheep? (A) The one represents those _______ with whom Jesus was eating. The 99 refers to the _______ who considered themselves ________ and therefore in no need to repent.
What is the point of the story of the lost coin? (A) That the _______ with whom Jesus was associating were _________ ________ to God.
In the parable of the Prodigal Son, what would the Jews have considered to be the point of the story? (A) Jesus had been criticized for associating with sinners. The _______ were considered people who were _____ _____ from God, squandering their lives in riotous living. In contrast with the younger son, the older son (the Jews) continued to remain with the father and did not live in sin.
Some believe that the story teaches a believers restoration to fellowship with God. One cannot lose something he does not own, so the first two parables must represent children of God who come back to Him. The prodigal story must be teaching that people who are believers can be restored to fellowship with God. Others believe that lost people (those not believers) can come to Christ. First – Jesus was speaking to Pharisees who were rejecting the kingdom. They objected that sinners were coming to Jesus and believing His message. Second- That the son who came back received a new position which he did not have before (22-24).
What is the significance of the way the Father greets the lost son? Of the feast? (A) God the Father rejoices and, full of _________, greets the son (______), hugs and kisses him, and gives him a new ________ with a robe, a ring, and sandals. The feast represents the coming _______ and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, in which all believers join in celebration of their inclusion into the kingdom.

Chapter 16 – The Story of the Shrewd Manager

Jesus is now finished talking to the Pharisees and turns to His disciples with a lesson on stewardship. The story is difficult because it seems to commend dishonesty; of course, it does not.

In the story, who is the rich man? The steward? (A) ___ Himself is the rich man. The steward is one who is entrusted with the ___________ of another person’s property. Any ______ of the Lord is a steward, but in this story, he is one accused of embezzling his master’s money.
Why does the master commend the guilty steward when he is discovered (16:8)? (A) He was not commended for his _______, but rather for his __________. He looked to the _________ and made provision for it.
How can we make proper application to this story? (A) The future of the child of God is not on this earth, but in heaven. Just as the steward took steps to insure that he would have friends during his retirement here below, so the Christian should use his ___________ goods in such a way to insure a welcoming party when he gets to ________.
How do we use the Master’s goods? (A) In verse 9, we are told to “Make use of our ________ resources and make friends. In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you in heaven.” How? Use _____ and other _______ things to win ______ for Christ. You can purchase Bibles, books, tracts, etc. and _____ those seeds wisely to win others to Christ.
V.12 talks about “Not being faithful with other people’s money, so why should you be trusted with money of your own?” What differentiates the two? (A) ___ that we have, our money, our time, our talents – belong to the ____, and we are to use them for Him. That which is our own refers to ______ in heaven, which we reap in this life and in the life to come as a ____ of our faithful ______ for Christ. If we have not been faithful in what is His, how can He give us what is our own?
The Pharisees rejected the story of the shrewd manager because their entire philosophy was built around the OT teaching that riches were a sign of God’s blessing and favor. To them, money was more real than the teachings of God. He tells them a parable about two men, Lazarus and a rich man and their interaction. How can we see that the rich man was not saved? (A) By the careless ________ of the beggar Lazarus who was laid at his gate to beg. If he had the ____ of ____ in him, he would not have lived in luxury while a poor man was starving at his door.
Where do we next see Lazarus? The rich man? (A) We see him with Abraham (in “_______ ______”), the body buried and his ____ now in heaven, the place of all believers. The rich man is in _____, the Greek word for the OT word Sheol, the state of departed souls, the place for ________, the unsaved. At the Great White Throne Judgment, the bodies, spirits, and souls of unbelievers will be reunited, judged, and thrown into the Lake of Fire.
What do we learn from this story? (A) The ______ of this life determine our ________ destiny, and once death takes place, that destiny is forever.