Bible ReadingLuke 19:11–27 “As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”
[36:30]2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”
[50:10]1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
[57:11]Matthew 6:20 “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
[47:49]Observation questions- What expectation about God’s kingdom prompted Jesus to tell the parable, and how does the nobleman’s journey correct that expectation? [37:53]
- What are the three different responses to the nobleman’s return, and what does each group do or say?
- What reasons does the fearful servant give for putting his mina away, and what alternative does the king say was available to him? [49:04]
- What rewards do the faithful servants receive, and what connection does the passage make between faithfulness in “very little” and future responsibility? [46:23]
Interpretation questions- Since every servant receives one mina, why is the central issue not a person’s natural ability, background, wealth, or opportunities, but what that person does with the life entrusted to him or her? [42:35]
- What does the fearful servant’s description of the king reveal about his heart? How can a distorted view of God lead a believer toward passivity rather than faithful obedience? [56:04]
- How do Christ’s future judgment seat and the promise of heavenly treasure show that salvation by grace does not make faithfulness unimportant? [50:23]
- The citizens say, “We do not want this man to reign over us.” What might rejecting Christ’s reign look like in an ordinary person’s choices, priorities, and response to Scripture? [54:02]
Application questions- If the mina pictures the one life God has entrusted to each person, where are you most tempted to compare your life with someone else’s gifts, resources, or influence? What ordinary opportunity has God already placed in your hands? [43:05]
- In what area are you most likely to “hide the mina”—keeping quiet about faith, avoiding a needed act of service, delaying obedience, or refusing to use a gift because you fear failure? What would one small step of faith look like this week? [01:00:45]
- What picture of God tends to shape your decisions when you are afraid: a severe master waiting for you to fail, or a good Father who calls you to trust him? How could Scripture and prayer help reshape that picture? [56:10]
- First Corinthians 10:31 includes eating, drinking, and “whatever you do.” What would doing everyday work, family life, spending, recreation, or conversations for God’s glory look like in your present season? [56:54]
- Jesus does not seek to be merely a helpful addition to life; he is King. Is there an area where you want the benefits of Jesus but resist his authority—perhaps relationships, money, time, sexuality, ambition, or forgiveness? What would bending the knee to his good rule involve? [54:09]
- Urgency, agency, and abundance describe the faithful servants. Which of those three is weakest in your life right now, and what specific practice could help you grow in it this week? [01:05:51]
- Since Christ is coming back and this life will pass quickly, what do you hope will remain from your life for his kingdom? Is there a person you can pray for, serve, encourage, or speak the gospel to this week? [01:07:37]
