Today’s passage: Luke 9:1-17

Helpful thoughts:

• The disciples are sent out to do what they were discipled to do.  Their ministry and scope would expand in the not too distant future (Acts 1:8).
• The disciples were to go with nothing and to continue with nothing from town to town.  Even though they could actually heal people, they were not to profit materially or become wealthy from their ministry.
  • Staying in the same house while in town gave evidence to their selfless intent.  Other teachers would moved house to house through a town to extract as much as they could in those days…(Nothing new under the sun).
• Shaking the dust off of your feet came from a Jewish practice when they would leave Gentile areas.  It was used to signify “shaking off” all the paganism and all that could “contaminate” them.  For the disciples to shake the dust off as they left a Jewish town was an incredibly strong statement.  When the Jews rejected their own Messiah, His disciples shook the dust off.

Questions to consider:

1. If the apostles (Including Paul) had healed so many people at the beginning of their ministry after Pentecost, and then if Paul did not heal people like Trophimus in 2 Timothy 4:20 toward the end of the New Testament period, what can we see happening with healings (The frequency thereof) even in the course of the writing of the New Testament?  Were they increasing, consistent, or decreasing?  Should it alarm us if we see people trying to use Luke 9:1-2 as a ministry model today (Especially if they have accrued wealth as a result)?
2. Of all the suggestions made to Herod, who didn’t anyone say that Jesus was?  What was the answer to Herod’s question in verse 9?
3. What did the Jews want from Jesus after he fed them all (John 6:25-34)?  What did Jesus offer them instead?

Today’s passage: Luke 8:40-56

Helpful thoughts:

• Due to this woman’s bleeding, she would have been considered unclean according to Jewish law.  This explains her great desire to blend in with the crowd who had pressed in on Jesus and not make a scene in her hopes for healing.
• The Greek word translated as “made you well” in verse 48 is from the same word we translate as salvation or saved.  Jesus calls her “daughter” and tells her that her faith has given her salvation.  This woman appears to have been made well physically and spiritually.
• It was common for the wealthy to hire mourners for their dead in that culture.  This is why it would have been so easy for the “mourners” to go from weeping to laughter in a moment.
• Jesus’ divine power was not running low after healing the woman.  His batteries didn’t need to recharge to raise Jairus’ daughter.  God has all power.

Questions to consider:

1. Why did the Gentile crowd in verses 34-37 fear Jesus and ask Him to leave and the crowd of Jews press in on Jesus to ask Him for things?  What might have caused the different responses?  How many people are recorded as believing in each account?
2. How could the different characteristics of these crowds have impacted Jesus’ command to the former demoniac in verse 39 to go spread the news and then to tell Jairus and his wife to tell no one what had happened?
3. Given the meaning of verse 48, what was the greatest miracle in today’s reading?

Today’s passage: Luke 8:26-39

Helpful thoughts:

• The people of this region were Gentiles.
• A Roman legion could consist of up to 6,000 men.
• These demons did not want to be sent to eternal hell before the end (Matthew 25:41, Revelation 20:10).  They know their future judgment is coming.  They know who is in charge.
• The demons were only allowed to move to the pigs because Jesus gave them permission.  God is not struggling to keep Satan and the Demons at bay.
• John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Questions to consider:

1. What kinds of emotions might have been swirling in your mind had you been there that day?  What emotion does verse 37 say these people felt?  What did this emotion push them to ask Jesus?
2. How do verses like 2 Corinthians 4:4 and John 3:19 help us to answer the question, “Why would these people not see this amazing miracles and then believe?”  Why did they ask Jesus to leave?  How many people in this region were in need of a miracle (Conversion!)?
3. How much could Jesus have told this newly healed man?  How much training did he get before Jesus sent him off as a missionary to his region?  What do you need to know before you are “qualified” to share the Gospel message with others?

Today’s passage: Luke 8:22-25

Helpful thoughts:

• Jesus, fully God and fully man, needed to sleep.
• The disciples who were fishermen and knowledgeable in sailing had tried everything they knew to save themselves.  There was only one on that boat who could save them.
• Jesus knew what He had taken on flesh to do.  There was no reason to fear.

Questions to consider:

1. What are the answers to the questions asked in verse 25?  How do the commands and questions in this passage set Jesus apart from the disciples?
2. What response would have showed faith in the disciples?
3. How can this passage encourage us to show faith during “storms” in this life?  Even if God allows the storm to continue?  (Jesus was going to the cross.  Where are you going?)  What promises has God made that you can specifically count on?

Today’s passage: Luke 8:16-21

Helpful thoughts:

• This illustration is given after the parable of the good soil where the seed was the Word of God, the Gospel message.  Whoever has received this light is to shine it before others!
• A false disciple will hear the message and will not share it with others.  A true disciple will shine the light.
• Jesus clearly did not disregard his mother and his brothers (John 19:26-27).  In verse 17 and in verse 21, Jesus is confirming that the true people of God (The family of God) will truly follow Him.

Questions to consider:

1. When people might doubt their salvation, what could we point them to that would be more evident than reminding them that they prayed a prayer?  What evidences did Jesus point to in this passage that assure us that we are in His family?
2. How should the great access we have to the Word of God today be a challenge to us for continued study and growth (To whom much is given, much is required)?
3. In what ways are you shining the light of the Word of God?  Who have you shared the Gospel with recently? Who could you share Christ with today?

Today’s passage: Luke 8:1-15

Helpful thoughts:

• Jesus’ earthly ministry at this time was contrary to the cultural expectations in three ways according to this passage:
  • Instead of the big cities and the hub of Judaism, Jesus traveled through towns and villages in Galilee.
  • Jesus traveled with men and women.  Women were not excluded.  Rabbis would not have allowed women to be among those who accompanied them.
  • Jesus did not use His miraculous powers and teaching skills to make Himself financially rich.  They had what they needed.  They took advantage of no one.  When they cast lots for His garment at the cross, they got everything He owned.
• Rabbis often used parables to illustrate and help people remember their teaching.  Jesus used them to confuse people.  Israel had rejected her Messiah and was now under judgment.
  • Isaiah 6:9-10
• “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

Questions to consider:

1. Who all is involved in the process of evangelism according to this parable and Jesus’ interpretation?  What is going on?  Who is doing what?
2. How do passages like 1 Corinthians 3:6, Isaiah 55:11 and Ezekiel 36:26 help us to think more about God’s role in the process of evangelism and conversion?
3. How might Jesus’ example in ministry cause us to rethink some popular methods and ministry philosophies in our day?  Who needs to hear?  What do they need to hear?  How might we define faithfulness in our ministry?