Bible ReadingLuke 9:1-62 “And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, ‘Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.’ And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. [...] When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.”
[00:51:17] [00:51:23] [00:52:47] [01:08:21]Luke 9:44-45 “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men. But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.”
[00:54:32] [00:56:24]Luke 9:46-48 “An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, ‘Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.’”
[00:59:09] [01:00:50]Luke 9:49-50 “John answered, ‘Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.’”
[01:03:20] [01:03:33]Luke 9:57-62 “As they were going along the road, someone said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Yet another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’”
[01:16:22] [01:18:48] [01:23:12]Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
[01:27:56]Observation questions- What items does Jesus specifically tell the disciples not to take on their journey, and what ministry does He still send them out to do? [00:52:47]
- What do the disciples do immediately after Jesus tells them that He will be delivered into the hands of men, and what does this reveal about what is on their minds? [00:54:32]
- In Jesus’ response to the argument about greatness, what does the child represent in the disciples’ culture, and what does it mean to “receive” that child? [01:01:10]
- What reason does John give for trying to stop the man casting out demons, and what reason does Jesus give for not stopping him? [01:03:55]
Interpretation questions- Why might Jesus send His disciples out with authority but without the normal things that would make a journey feel secure? What does this show about the difference between kingdom power and self-reliance? [00:53:05]
- Why was Jesus’ prediction of suffering and death so hard for the disciples to receive? How can personal expectations about what God should do keep a believer from hearing what Scripture is saying? [00:56:28]
- Jesus connects greatness with receiving someone who cannot increase a person’s influence or reputation. What does this reveal about the kind of greatness Jesus values? [01:01:29]
- Jesus does not tell His followers to abandon every responsibility, but He does confront every “let me first.” How can a good responsibility become an excuse for delaying obedience to Christ? [01:22:29]
Application questions- Where is it easiest to depend on possessions, savings, plans, comfort, or personal ability rather than on God? What might trusting God look like in that specific area this week? [01:17:30]
- When life includes waiting, disappointment, sacrifice, or an uncomfortable season, what expectations about God are most likely to rise up in the heart? How can life be interpreted through the kingdom instead of interpreting the kingdom through personal circumstances? [00:57:43]
- Who is someone in your daily life who may not be able to improve your status, return a favor, or help you get ahead? What could it look like to make room for, honor, or serve that person in Jesus’ name? [01:02:06]
- Is there another church, ministry, or believer whose fruitfulness has been difficult to celebrate? What would it look like to replace comparison or competition with gratitude for faithful kingdom work? [01:07:04]
- What is the “but” that most often follows the desire to follow Jesus—“but after school,” “but after marriage,” “but after the kids grow up,” “but after retirement,” or something else? What step of obedience has been delayed because of it? [01:20:14]
- Is there an old habit, pleasure, relationship, ambition, or version of life that still draws your attention backward? What bondage may be forgotten when that old life starts to look attractive again? [01:26:19]
- Romans 12:2 calls believers to be transformed by the renewal of their minds. In what area is there a need to ask the Holy Spirit, “Show me where my thinking is not like Yours”? [01:31:53]
