JESUS STORIES: THE SQUATTERS LUKE 20:9-19
Ice Breaker: Do you have a favorite family story from your youth that you would like to share. (3 minutes or shorter.)
Jesus has just been questioned by the chief priests, teachers of the law and the elders asking by what authority are you doing these things: What things? Good question. Jesus was doing miracles, loving people compassionately and healing them. He had just chased merchants out of the temple courts, effectively shutting down the temple commerce for hours. Jesus did not answer the question directly but told a parable instead.
The Tenants Rebel
Luke 20:9-12 He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. 10 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. 12 He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out.
- The tenants are the Jewish religious leaders. The servants are the prophets God had sent over the centuries to turn his people back to himself.
1. Who does the owner of the vineyard represent? What does the vineyard represent? What do you think the “fruit” stands for in this parable?
2. Based on your knowledge of the Old Testament, how do you think this story condemns the Jewish leaders of the past and how they responded to God’s prophets?
Decision to Send the Son
Luke 20:13-15a “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 “But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 15 So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
1. Why did the farmer send his son?
2. What do you think that the religious leaders understood about Jesus’ story? (Luke 19:47, 20:19)
3. What are ways we use Christianity to serve us and keep the fruit as our own?
4. In what ways could we treat our blessings as on loan to benefit God and share with others?
5. How does our culture act as if they are the owners of the vineyard rather than the renter of the vineyard? How does our culture still kill the Son of God?
6. What are the ways that culture is killing the purpose of God, in your life?
7. Are there some aspects of God’s purpose in your life that need to be realigned with God?
In the sermon, Pastor Dave said that culture still kills the Son of God, God’s peace, God’s morals, God’s salvation, God as our provider, and God’s worship.
The Result of Rebellion
Luke 20:15b-16 “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When the people heard this, they said, “God forbid!”
1. In the story, the tenants kill the son, and the father comes and kills the tenants and the vineyard given to others. What message was Jesus conveying to the religious leaders?
2. What is God’s purpose in telling this story to us?
The Authority of the Son – Be Broken not Crushed
Luke 20:17-19 Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? 18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” 19 The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.
1. What does this passage reveal about God’s expectations of us?
2. What does this passage reveal about God’s values?
3. What does this story reveal about the authority of Jesus? (Isaiah 46:9-10, Matthew 28:17)
4. How have you acknowledged the authority (Lordship) of Jesus in your life?
5. In what ways is the Lordship of Jesus revealed in your life? (Luke 9:23)
In the beginning of the sermon, Pastor Dave talked said, “Jesus told stories so that people would understand how their story might fit within God’s story and God’s expectations for His followers and to describe God’s values.”
You want to consider your religious beliefs as yours, but Jesus Christ has every authority to speak into your life, because he is the giver of your life and the rescuer of your life.