Following Jesus
Luke 13 and 14
Icebreaker: What do you follow for fun? (baseball statistics, news, stock market, fashion, etc.)
Repent and Bear Fruit – Read Luke 13:1-9, 13:22-27
There was a question about whether bad situations that happened to people could be attributed to their sinfulness. Jesus redirected the discussion to the issue of repentance, the dire consequence of not repenting and His patience to wait for all to repent and be fruitful in life.
- What do we repent from and to what? (Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38, 3:19) Why did Jesus make it such an urgent matter?
- Like the fig tree, Jesus is patient with us. How should we respond to Jesus’ patience?
Healing During Sabbath – Read Luke 13:10-17, 14:1-6
The religious leaders were indignant that Jesus broke the man-made rule by healing the sick on Sabbath. Jesus seized the opportunity to expose their hypocrisy and also to teach the true intent of the Law.
3. How did Jesus expose the Pharisees’ hypocrisy and at the same time, delight the people?
4. Why does being released from bondage have greater precedence than observing the Sabbath? (Luke 13:16, Mark 2:27, Matthew 12:1-11)
Parable of Mustard Seed, Yeast (Luke 13:18-21)
Jesus is teaching about the expansion of the Kingdom of God
5. What does the contrast between the small seed and the larger mustard plant teach about the kingdom of God?
6. What do these two parables teach us about significance?
Narrow Door and Sorrow for Jerusalem – Read Luke 13:22-35
7. How did Jesus answer the question posed to him in verses 13:23?
8. How come many will be surprised by the narrow (13:24) and closed door (13:25) into the kingdom of God?
9. How does the subject of repentance relate to entering the narrow door? Is a faith confession alone not enough? (Ephesians 2:8-10)
10. What foul reputation did Jerusalem have (13:31-35)? What will happen to Jerusalem?
11. What concerns do you have about America in response to God’s kingdom message?
Invited Guests and Great Banquet Luke 14:7–24
Jesus speaks to the attitude in the kingdom and then who will be excluded and included in the kingdom of God.
12. What instructions did Jesus give to the banquet attendees/guests (14:7-11)?
13. How do the lessons reflect kingdom value?
14. Who were the different groups of guests and what were their responses to the banquet invitation (14:12-24)? What is the banquet comparable to?
15. How does the invitation mentioned in the passage have an effect upon our outreach into the world?
Cost of Following Jesus Luke 14:25-35
In light of Jesus’ own commitment and sacrifice on the cross for mankind, Jesus warned against thoughtless discipleship. He emphasized the priority of love for Him, willingness to suffer and count the cost for following Him. He summarized that our lives must be salty and never to lose our saltiness.
16. What does carrying one’s own cross mean? How do the tower building and going to war illustrations expand this theme?
17. What kingdom values were taught?
18. Why such tough talk from Jesus? (14:33)
19. What is the cost for following Jesus today?