Bible Reading
Luke 19:1-27 (ESV) —
> 1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
>
> 11 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. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 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. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 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.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 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.’ 22 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? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26 ‘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. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”
Observation Questions
- What changes do we see in Zacchaeus after his encounter with Jesus? What does he do that shows his heart has been transformed? ([27:57])
- In the parable of the minas, what are the three different responses to the king’s instructions, and how does the king respond to each group? ([38:10])
- What reason does the “wicked servant” give for hiding his mina, and how does the king respond to this explanation? ([57:02])
- According to Jesus, what is the main reason he came? (See verse 10 and [34:16])
Interpretation Questions
- Why do you think Jesus tells this parable right after the story of Zacchaeus and just before entering Jerusalem? What is he trying to teach his followers about his mission and the kingdom? ([29:39])
- The faithful servants are praised for being “faithful in very little.” What does this suggest about how God views our everyday actions and small steps of obedience? ([53:49])
- The wicked servant’s failure is not just inactivity, but a misunderstanding of the king’s character. How can a wrong view of God lead to missed opportunities or even disobedience? ([57:47])
- Jesus includes a strong warning about judgment for those who reject his reign. How does this warning fit with his mission to “seek and save the lost”? ([44:46])
Application Questions
- Zacchaeus’ life was radically changed after meeting Jesus, leading him to generosity and making things right with others. Is there an area in your life where you sense Jesus calling you to a similar step of transformation or restitution? What might that look like for you? ([27:57])
- The parable highlights faithfulness in small things. What is one “small” act of faithfulness you could do this week—such as inviting someone to church, sharing a bit of your story, or praying for a friend? ([53:49])
- The wicked servant misunderstood the king and acted out of fear. Are there ways you might be holding back from serving God or others because of fear, doubt, or a wrong view of God’s character? How could you take a step toward trust and action? ([57:47])
- Jesus’ warning about judgment is meant to stir urgency, not guilt. Does the reality of Jesus’ return and the seriousness of his message affect your priorities or prayers for those who don’t know him? How might it change the way you approach conversations or relationships? ([44:46])
- The sermon emphasized that mission is fueled by joy, not guilt. When have you experienced joy in sharing your faith or seeing someone come to know Jesus? How can you focus on the joy and privilege of joining Jesus in his mission, rather than feeling burdened or inadequate? ([01:01:58])
- Think about your daily routines—work, school, family, hobbies. Where do you see opportunities for “faithfulness in the little things” that could have kingdom impact? ([54:57])
- The pastor encouraged the church to take practical steps, like inviting someone to Christianity Explored or simply mentioning church in conversation. What is one practical step you feel led to take this week? Who could you pray for or reach out to? ([01:00:21])
