Following Jesus

Bible Studies on Luke 11-12

of 2 2

Contents Introduction page 2

Study 1: Teach us to pray page 3

Study 2: Praying with attitude page 6

Study 3: A question of allegiance page 9

Study 4: Light for dark hearts page 13

Study 5: Roadblocks to the kingdom page 16

Study 6: Confess Christ page 20

Study 7: A fool before God page 23

Study 8: Don’t worry page 26

Study 9: Get ready page 30

Study 10: A difficult reality page 33

of 1 38

Introduction In Luke 9 Peter confesses that Jesus is God’s Messiah, the

king that God has appointed to lead his people and rule over

God’s kingdom. Peter has realised what each of us must

realise in following Jesus, that he is our king as well and we

must listen to him. Following Jesus means that life cannot be

the same.

Luke 9:51 is a turning point in the gospel account of Jesus’

ministry. Luke writes “As the time approached for him to be

taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” It

is on this determined journey to Jerusalem that the disciples

discover more of the very real challenges of following Jesus.

of 2 38

Study 1: Teach us to pray Luke 11:1-4

Getting Started 1. What are your earliest memories of praying to God? What did you pray for?

Investigate 2. How are we to address God in our prayers? (v. 2). How might this help our prayer life?

3. What is the priority of verse 2 when it comes to our prayers?

4. What does verse 3 teach us about God’s provision in life?

5. What does verse 4 teach us about the cornerstone of our relationship with God? Why is this important?

of 3 38

6. What does v. 4 teach us about temptation? (see also Luke 4:2 and 22:40)

Thinking it through 7. What do you think we learn from the fact that Jesus prayed?

8. How will a kingdom of God priority shape your prayer life?

9. Read Matthew 18:21-35. How does Jesus’ parable help us understand our prayer for forgiveness?

10. Is God only interested in our needs in life rather than our wants in life?

of 4 38

Prayer Points

of 5 38

Study 2: Praying with attitude Luke 11:5-13

Getting Started 1. What affects your confidence when you pray?

Investigate 2. Who does Jesus want us to identify with in his parable in verses 5-7?

3. How does Jesus describe the attitude of the one asking for bread? What does he mean for our prayers?

4. What three words does Jesus use to describe our confident persistence when it comes to prayer? How might they differ from each other?

•

•

•

of 6 38

5. Why does Jesus use the example of our fathers in verses 11-13?

6. Read Ezekiel 36:26-27. How does this Old Testament prophecy help us understand the gift of God’s Spirit?

Thinking it through 7. Do you need to bother God to get God’s attention and get things done? (see Luke 18:1-5)

8. How does Luke 11:1-4 shape our persistent prayers?

9. What do you think persistent prayer says about the person praying?

of 7 38

Prayer Points

of 8 38

Study 3: A question of allegiance Luke 11:14-28

Getting Started 1. How do you think Australians express allegiance for the following:

• a sporting team

• our nation

• a church

Investigate 2. Describe the three different responses to the miracle Jesus performed? (vv. 14-16) How might those responses to Jesus be expressed today?

1.

2.

3.

3. What is Jesus’ alternative explanation to the slanderous accusation that he is in league with Beelzebub (a Hebrew reference for Satan as ‘lord of the flies’)? (vv. 17-20)

of 9 38

4. What sort of response does Jesus want in verse 20?

5. How does Jesus describe Satan and himself in verses 21-22?

6. How would you describe Jesus’ challenge in verse 23? How might this impact our conversations with people who are neutral or agnostic about Jesus?

7. According to Jesus how is a person blessed by God? (v. 27-28)

Thinking it through 8. How does the apostle Paul describe becoming a Christian in Colossians 1:13-14? How does this fit with Jesus’ ministry and teaching in our passage?

9. How does Jesus teaching about Satan impact our view of the world and the ministry of the gopsel?

of 10 38

10. Why do you think Jesus persisted with those who made their slanderous accusation against him? What does this tell us about Jesus?

11. How might Jesus’ explanation of being blessed differ from a more popular view of blessing in our life?

of 11 38

Prayer Points

of 12 38

Study 4: Light for dark hearts Luke 11:29-36

Getting Started 1. What do you think keeps Australians’ hearts darkened to the truth about Jesus?

Investigate 2. According to Jesus, why was “this generation” wicked? (v. 29)

3. What is the grand sign that Jesus gives to those who think they need a sign in order to believe in him? (v. 30)

4. Why does Jesus use the example of the Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:1-9) and the men of Nineveh (Jonah 3:1-10) in speaking about judgment?

5. If Jesus’ preaching is the light of a lamp in v. 33, how should we treat his teaching?

of 13 38

6. In v. 34 Jesus describes our spiritual perception in terms of eyesight. It will illuminate the whole of life. What caution does Jesus give us in verse 35-36?

Thinking it through 7. How does Jesus’ sign impact gospel ministry today? (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) What does this mean for ministries that pursue miraculous signs and wonders?

8. How do you think we can speak to our world about judgement?

9. Familiarity with the gospel can dull the heart to its trembling realities. What practical steps do you think we can take to avoid this? (check out Colossians 1:16-17)

of 14 38

Prayer Points

of 15 38

Study 5: Roadblocks to the kingdom Luke 11:37-53

Getting Started 1. What do you think are the significant roadblocks to Christian faith in Australia today?

Investigate 2. What did the Pharisee notice about Jesus? (vv. 37-38)

3. What does Jesus identify as the real problem for the Pharisees? (vv. 39)

4. According to verse 41 what do you think was the Pharisees’ defining sin that Jesus challenges?

5. In the various “Woe to you …” statements, what are the three issues that Jesus targets in the life of the Pharisees? (vv. 42-44) How might we manifest them in our life?

1.

of 16 38

2.

3.

6. How are Jesus’ words being received by the Pharisees and the teacher of the law? (v. 45)

7. In verses 46-52 Jesus likewise targets three particular issues in the lives of the teachers of the law. What are they?

1.

2.

3.

Thinking it through 8. Discuss this quote “Our degree of attachment to money and possessions is the unfailing indicator of the health of our souls.”

9. If following religious rules and regulations is not a guarantee that we are living God’s way and can be a mask for hypocrisy, how can we be sure we are doing what God wants?

of 17 38

10. What advice would you give to a new Christian who asked for suggestions of what rules to follow to live a better Christian life?

of 18 38

Prayer Points

of 19 38

Study 6: Confess Christ Luke 11:54-12:12

Getting Started 1. Why is the fear of God such a hard sell:

• in our society

• in our churches

Investigate 2. Why should the disciples be on their guard for the “yeast of the pharisees”? (vv. 1-3)

3. Why should we fear God? (vv. 4-5)

4. What comfort does Jesus offer to those who fear God? (vv. 6-7)

5. According to Jesus, who will he acknowledge or disown before the angels of God? (vv. 8-9)

of 20 38

6. In verse 10 what do you think it means to blaspheme the Holy Spirit? (see also Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:22-29)

7. How will the Holy Spirit help the disciple of Christ? (v. 11, see also Acts 4:8-13)

Thinking it through 8. How does the fear of God free us from our fear of man?

9. How should the fear of God change how we live life?

10. How does this passage challenge the notion that my Christian faith is a very private affair or that my Christian faith is witnessed by my actions alone?

of 21 38

Prayer Points

of 22 38

Study 7: A fool before God Luke 12:13-21

Getting Started 1. What might our world regard as foolish today?

Investigate 2. How would you describe the approach to Jesus in v. 13?

3. What does Jesus identify as the presenting issues in the person’s request? (v. 15, see also 1 Timothy 6:10)

4. Who does the rich man consult for financial advice? (vv. 16-19) What does this tell us about him?

5. What conclusion does the rich man make regarding his financial success? (v. 19).

of 23 38

6. How does Psalm 14:1 help us understand God’s negative assessment of this man in verse 20?

Thinking it through 7. What is the difference between greed and contentment? (see also Ecclesiastes 5:10)

8. What does the “rich man” look like in our society today?

9. How does the rich man’s plans shape our attitude and plans for retirement?

10. How can we be “rich towards God”?

of 24 38

Prayer Points

of 25 38

Study 8: Don’t worry Luke 12:22-34

Getting Started 1. What does our culture teach us about the necessities of life such as food, and clothing?

Investigate 2. Why does Jesus tell those who would follow him not to worry about food or clothing? (vv. 22-23)

3. What point is Jesus trying to make in verses 24 regarding the ravens and us?

4. What is the answer to Jesus question in v. 25? Why do you think Jesus raises this question?

5. According to Jesus what is the evidence of “little faith”? (vv. 27-28)

of 26 38

6. According to Jesus what can free us from fear and worry about material things? (vv. 29-31?)

7. How does Jesus explain generosity as an investment strategy? (23-33)

Thinking it through 8. In verse 29 Jesus says, “Do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.” What should our attitude be towards the necessities of life?

9. How might generosity help us with our fear and worry about material things?

10. What is the most significant way that God has cared for us? (Luke 5:31-32, 19:10) How does this help us seek the kingdom of God?

of 27 38

11. How does this passage affect the way you manage your resources and make your financial decisions? What changes do you think you need to make?

of 28 38

Prayer Points

of 29 38

Study 9: Get ready Luke 12:35-48

Getting Started 1. What are the big moments of life that we ought to be ready for? How might we get ready for them?

Investigate 2. How does Jesus describe what it means to be watching and ready for his return? (v. 35)

3. What is the surprising reward for the servants who were ready for their master’s return? (vv. 37-38)

4. When will the Son of Man return? (v. 40)

5. According to verses 42-43 what characteristics does Jesus use to describe those ready for his return?

of 30 38

6. What happens to the servant who gives up waiting for the master? (vv. 45-46)

7. How does Jesus describe ‘just punishment’ in verses 47-48?

Thinking it through 8. How might being ready for Jesus’ return be an antidote to greed and worry?

9. How does this passage help us when people put a date and time on Jesus return?

10. According to 2 Peter 3:9, why is Jesus’ return delayed? How does this impact our waiting for Jesus?

11. How do Jesus’ warnings regarding the ‘just punishment’ of his servants, impact your service in the cause of the Kingdom of God?

of 31 38

Prayer Points

of 32 38

Study 10: A difficult reality Luke 12:49-59

Getting Started 1. What sort of divisions between people exist in our world today?

Investigate 2. Read Luke 3:15-16. How does this explain Jesus’ words in verse 49?

3. Given that Jesus has already been baptised by John the Baptist in Luke 3:21-22, what baptism is Jesus referring to in verse 50? (see also Mark 10:33-38)

4. What is Jesus’ mission statement in verse 51? What examples of this can you remember from Jesus’ life and ministry?

of 33 38

5. Why does Jesus address the crowd as hypocrites in verses 45-46?

6. In the face of judgement, what course of action does Jesus advise? (vv. 57-59) How does this apply to the final judgment before God?

Thinking it through 7. Why do God’s people need to heed his warnings in verses 49-53?

8. Why are we tempted to make plans around life events and not the spiritual realities revealed in Scripture? (ref 2 Peter 3:3-7)

9. Read Romans 10:8-10. How do we get sorted with Christ before the final judgment?

of 34 38

Prayer Points

of 35 38

of 36 38

of 37 38

of 38 38