THOUGHT QUESTIONS FOR BIBLE STUDY

THOUGHT QUESTIONS LUKE 5 By Chuck Owen (May 21, 2008)

We move into chapter 5 knowing from the previous chapter that Jesus said he had to be moving on. Luke tells us that he continued in the towns of Judea (on Galilee, depending on version – NIV notes that is was really the land of the Jews). We follow Jesus in his ministry.

1. Note the story telling way Luke uses “one day” in verse 1 and 17. He uses this later to, and other sequencers, like “After this” and “in one town” and so on. Luke was setting out to tell a story. “One day” would indicate just what it says, in our understanding of the term.

2. What was Jesus doing by the lake? Vs 1. Here is Simon (Peter again). What did Jesus in the boat? Vs 3. Then what? Vs 4 Did he know something about fishing, this carpenter?

3. Note how Simon addressed Jesus. Did he know him (Refer to previous chapter)? (Vs 5) Did Simon have confidence he would catch fish? Why? Did Simon follow directions?

4. How many fish were caught that they did not catch all night? (Vses 6 and 7)

5. How did Simon address Jesus after the catch? (Vs 8) What do we learn here? How did Simon look on himself? Why all this response? And what was the call (to do what?) from Jesus for Simon, James and John? What was the response? (Vses 10 and 11)

6. Did the man with leprosy recognize Jesus as who he was? (Vs 12) Note the statement. Note the response of Jesus – “I am willing.” (Vs 13) What did Jesus tell the cleansed man to do? Why? Was the Law still in effect?

7. Do you think Jesus got much preaching done with all the sick crowding him? (Vs 15) How did Jesus handle his notoriety? (Vs 16)

8. He is teaching in verse 17 – one day. But healing is still the call. Who is watching him? (Vs 17) How difficult was it to get to Jesus and why? (Vs 19) How does Jesus respond? Note the observation of those watching. (Vs 20 and 21) Why do they think Jesus blasphemes? (Vs 21)

9. Note in 22 that Jesus knows what they are thinking. Does he give logical questions for them to answer? (Vs. 23) Why did he do it this way? (Vs 24) Does he heal the paralyzed man? (Vs 25)

10. What was the result among the people of what Jesus did? (Vs 26) “Remarkable!”

11. Who does Jesus call next as an apostle? (Vs 27) Was there any discussion? Note the celebration Levy throws. What do the Pharisees and teachers say? (Vs 30) What response? (Vs 31)

12. What is their next counter to Jesus on fasting? (Vs 33) Jesus’ response. (Vses 34 and 35)

13. How does the parable Luke records about this event fit? (Vses 36-39) Old clothes and old wine skins. What is the point about the old wine in old skins being said to be better? Was Jesus promoting the old or the new? How so? Was there a new way of thinking coming?

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CLASS THOUGHT QUESTIONS LUKE 6 By Chuck Owen (June 7, 2008)

Luke continues to tell his “orderly account” of what Jesus did. Here we see more conflict with the Pharisees. We have more of the story-telling descriptions “one day,” “on another Sabbath,” and “one of those days.” We have the appointment of the Twelve by name. Then we have the “sermon on the mount” time recorded in Matthew but giving some contrasts in the Beatitudes. Again, this is to glean what we can from how Luke says it and not make too many comparisons to other gospel writers.

1. Describe what was happening in the grain fields and the conflict and answer found. (Vses 1-5) Who were the “disciples”? (Vs 1) Interesting that the Pharisees were in the group? (Vs 2) Why mention David? (Vs 3) What would “Lord of the Sabbath mean? (Vs 5)

2. Two Sabbaths, both with Pharisee conflict (Vs 1 and 6). What happened on “another Sabbath?” Why were the Pharisees watching? Did Jesus know their thinking? (Vs 7 and 8) What was Jesus’ question to the Pharisees? (Vs 9) What would be the logical answer? What was the outcome with the Pharisees? (Vs 11)

3. One of which days? (Vs 12) Is the “mountainside” of vs. 12 (level place of Vs 17) enough to put the sermon on the “mount” of Matthew? How long did Jesus pray? (Vs 12) From whom does Jesus select his apostles? (Vs 13) Check the names. Confirmed? Added description – Simon to Peter, Judas the later traitor.

4. Note who came to hear Jesus. Wonder if there were any Pharisees? Why else did they come? How were they being healed? (Vses 17-19)

5. Note the contrasts offered by Luke of Jesus’ Beatitudes -- Blessed are, But woe. (Vses 20-25)

6. Note the detail on Love that Jesus speaks of. (Vses 27-36) Discuss who we are to love. Who we are to bless and pray for. How we are to respond to ill treatment. How to give to others. How to treat others. And the contrasts of 32 through 34. What is the reward of doing good (Verse 35b). How can we be like the Father? (Verse 36)

7 How are the instructions amplified in 37 and 38? On judging, on condemning, on forgiving, on giving. What is a good measure? (Vs. 38b)

8. Additional teaching, amplifying what has been said. Blind leading the blind? Student relation to teacher. Again, on judging – speck versus a plank (Vses 41-42)

9. The tree and its fruit and the application. (Vses 43 – 45). What fruit comes? How is a tree recognized? Relationship to the heart. A man speaks from what is in the heart.

10. How can we call Jesus Lord and do not what he says? (Vs. 46) How is this compared to the builder of a house? (Vses 48 – 49)

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THOUGHT QUESTIONS LUKE 7 By Chuck Owen (June 20, 2008)

This chapter in filled with Jesus’ interactions, healings and teaching, in Capernaum and Nain. He has moved from the sea of Galilee. We learn of the Centurion, raising to life the widow’s son, more about John the Baptist, and of his being anointed by a sinful woman, all in the process of writing an orderly account for Theophilus to know the certainty of what he has learned.

1. Where was Jesus finishing his sayings? (Vs. 1) Where is Capernaum?

2. How does the Centurion bring Jesus to help his servant and why? (Vses 2 and 3)

3. What plea is made to Jesus to get his help? How does Jesus respond? (Vses 4-6)

4. Why does the Centurion not want Jesus to come to his house? (Vses 6-8) How does Jesus respond to the feelings of the Centurion? (Vs 9)

5. Did Jesus heal the Centurion’s servant? (Vs. 10) Why do we not have a pronouncement?

6. Note the time enter of the story – “Soon afterward. (Vs 11). Who went with Jesus to Nain?

7. What happens at the Nain gate? (Vs. 12.) What caused Jesus to raise the boy? Compassion? “Don’t cry.” Note the process. Imagine it. What does verse 15 tell us? What happened because of the raising? (Vses 16 and 17)

8. Note the generalness of the situation with John the Baptist, as to the story telling of Luke. John’s disciples tell John of all these things. (Vs 18) Which things. What does John do? Why would John ask the question “Are you the one who was to come?” given twice. (Vs 19, 20) what did Jesus do at the time of the question? (Vs 21- 23) Was this an appropriate answer to the question?

9. Note Jesus’ compliments on John and who he was, what he did, and what he was not. (Vs 24-28)

10. Note the parenthetical statement by Luke in 29-30. On John, the comparison, contrast.

11. More on John and people’s response. How does Jesus size up the people’s resonse? (Vses 31- 35) Comparison of John and Jesus. Did they accept either? Note Jesus’ characterizations.

12. Jesus is invited to a Pharisee’s house. (Vs 36-39 ). He goes. What happens? Wonder how the sinful woman got in the house? What does she do? What does the Pharisee say to himself?

13. Note Jesus’ response – “I have something to tell you.” (Vs 40) Did Jesus know what the Pharisee was saying to himself?

14. Talk the story Jesus responds with and how the Pharisee answers to the parable. (Vses 41-43)

15. Note the application to the story. To the Pharisee. To the sinful woman. (Vses 44-50)

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THOUGHT QUESTIONS LUKE 8

By Chuck Owen (June 28, 2008)

Luke 8 has Jesus continuing in his teaching and doing healings. We learn more of the interest shown in him by those about him. We see a general statement about what he did and then teachings and healings. Luke continues to connect the dots, so to speak.

1. After what? (Vs 1) Where and what had been doing. What does Luke say in general about what he did and who was with him? And of the economic support? (1-3) Why are the women named? Had Mary Magdalene been mentioned before?

2. “While” a crowd was gathering. Setting the scene. (4) Is the parable of the sower (5-8) teaching about the kingdom? Did Jesus intend for the teaching to be heard and understood? (8) What is the answer to the parable? (11-15)

3. Can a farmer seed sower be exact to make sure seed falls on good ground? What is the application? Do we pick and choose in sowing the Word?

4. What does Jesus mean by the process of parables? (10) ‘they may not see, they may not understand.”

5. Is the teaching of the lamp on a stand an amplification of the parable of the sower? (16-18)

6. Does Jesus not response to his mother and brothers mean he would not see them? (19-21)

7. “One day.” When? Why did he want to go to the other side of the lake (Galilee, Genesaret)? (22) What happens on the lake? (23) Why? (24-25) Note the response of the disciples. From Galilee? (26)

8. Talk of the story of the healing (Legion, Lotts) in the region of Gerasenes (Gentile country). (27, beginning) “Stepped ashore” – is that sea talk? Does Jesus do little miracles? What is the “Abyss?” (31) What part does Jesus in the pigs receiving the demons? (32) What does the man? (39)

9. Jesus returns to where? (40) Jew country? Here is Jairus, who was a ______.(41) Why does he seek Jesus? (42) What does Jesus? (54-55) Another big miracle.

10. What happens on the way? (43-48) A delay for good reason? Lazarus like? Talk of the power leaving Jesus. Peter’s explanation. A big miracle.

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THOUGHT QUESTIONS LUKE 9 (July 26, 2008)

By Chuck Owen

In chapter 9 Luke continues with Jesus’ movements and contacts. Near the end he speaks of Jesus’ end time on earth and his resolve to move toward Jerusalem. We see the first sending out of the Twelve. We have the Transfiguration and more. Let’s learn from Luke’s compilation of the earth-life of Jesus.

1. When was “when?” (Vs 1) Do we know? Where was Jesus at the time? Discuss the instructions given to the Apostles and their power. How long were they to be gone with nothing? (Vses 1-6) What did they do? (Vs 6)

2. What kind of stir did this sending out cause? (Vses 7-9) Did Herod see Jesus? (Vs 9) Why did he want to do so?

3. What did the apostles report on their return? What did Jesus do? (Vs 10) Was his intent to be with them and teach they more? What did Jesus do with the crowd that followed? (Vs 11)

4. Was the Twelve’s suggestion to send them away logical? (Vs 12) What was Jesus’ response? (Vs 13) The Apostle response? Were they saying it could not be done? How many? (Vses 13 and 14) What did Jesus do? How much was left over? (Vs 17)

5. What does “once” signify? (Vs 18) What happened once? Who do people say he was? (Vs 19) Who did Peter say he was? (Vs 20) Why did Jesus ask the question? (Vses 21 and 22). First note by Luke in what is going to happen?

6. What additionally does Jesus say about his mission and acceptance? (Vses 23 – 27) About the coming of the kingdom? (Vs 27) When did the kingdom he is speaking of come?

7. What happens eight days later, after the teaching about what is going to happen? (Vses 28-36) What does Moses and Elijah discuss with Jesus while the apostles (Peter, James and John) are sleeping? (Vs 31) How does Luke know? Where was it to come about?

8. Was it important for Peter, James, and John to be there? Explain what happened. Were Moses and Elijah important to what was coming? (Vs 35) Who was to be God’s mouthpiece?

9. Did the apostles go tell everybody immediately? Why? (Vs 36)

10. Next day. (Vses 37-45) The healing, discuss. Why could Jesus’ disciples not heal the man’s son? (Vs 41). Was Jesus talking against his disciples as “unbelieving and perverse generation” or the man who brought his son? What was the reaction of the disciple to what Jesus said? (Vs 45)

11. Who will be great in the kingdom? (Vs 48) Does this connect with John’s statement? (Vs 49)

12. Discuss Luke’s statement that Jesus resolutely sets out for Jerusalem. (Vs 51-56)

13. Discuss the cost of following Jesus – and excuses and turning back ( 57- 62)

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LUKE 10

THOUGHT QUESTIONS LUKE 10 By Chuck Owen (Aug. 9, 2008)

Moving right along to Jerusalem, Jesus now sends out 72 others compared to the 12 before. We see the instructions, the message, and we read the results. Jesus tells them the importance of what is happening. We have a short prayer of Jesus to the Father. We have the story of the Good Samaritan and the intent of that. We then have him at the home of Mary and Martha and see two responses to him.

1. Seventy-two others appointed and sent out. (Vses 1-16) The Twelve were in the previous chapter. Any difference in what they were to do?

2. What is the significance of Jesus talking about Korazin, Bethsaida, Tyre and Sidon, and Capernaum? (Vses 13-15)

3. What does Jesus see while the 72 are out doing what they were supposed to? (Vs 18) Do you think he really saw that?

4. Does verse 19 indicate that the power given continued? What is the greatness of the power given compared to their names written in heaven? (Vs. 20) Also in 23 and 24.

5. Talk of “Of at that time” (Vs 21) as it relates to what Jesus said he saw and all of it. What does he say to the Father? (Vses 21 and 22) Can we sense the build up on the way to Jerusalem, confidence?

6. More to the others, this, an “expert in the law,” leading the story of The Good Samaritan. (Vses 25-28) What must I do? What is written? How do you read it? He quotes correctly. Do this and live.

7. Testing (??), the expert asks, Who is my neighbor? (Vs 29) Did he need to know?

8. Rehearse the story of the Good Samaritan, in response. (Vses 30-35)

9. How did the story relate to the question by the expert in the law? (Vses 36 and 37) What was the lesson, according to Jesus? (Vs 37)

10. “On their way” where? Does 9:51 apply?

11. Discuss the Mary and Martha story. (Vses 38 – 42) What is the application? Does it mean to do exactly that or is it just a situational event with meaning. Whose home was it? Wouldn’t it be natural for Martha to be thinking of preparations? Was Mary just an invited guest? (Just thought questions.)

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