Bible Reading
Luke 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.”
[25:21]1 Corinthians 4:7 “For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”
[36:35]1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
[38:42]Observation questions
- In Luke 19:11–13, what expectation leads Jesus to tell this parable, and what work does the nobleman give his servants during his absence? [32:58]
- What gifts, beyond money and possessions, has God entrusted to his people? How does 1 Corinthians 4:7 address taking credit for those gifts? [36:35]
- In Luke 19:16–21, how do the servants’ reports differ? What reason does the servant who hid his pound give for doing nothing with it? [48:29]
- In Luke 19:24–27, what happens to the unproductive servant’s pound, and how does his outcome differ from that of the king’s enemies? [56:12]
Interpretation questions
- How does recognizing that even the ability to work comes from God challenge pride without making hard work unimportant? [37:44]
- How does belonging to Christ, as described in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, change the way a believer approaches decisions about time, money, and abilities? [38:59]
- How could the hidden-pound servant’s view of his master make inactivity seem reasonable to him? How might a similar view of Jesus keep a person from serving others? [49:21]
- What do the rewards given to the faithful servants reveal about the king’s generosity? Why does the timing of those rewards matter for someone serving Christ without seeing much benefit now? [52:04]
Application questions
- What ability, relationship, or opportunity are you most likely to think of as something you earned rather than something God entrusted to you? How might receiving it with gratitude change the way you use it? [37:00]
- Looking at your coming week, where do your plans reflect Christ’s priorities, and where might he be receiving only what is left over? What is one adjustment you could prayerfully consider? [58:05]
- When have you caught yourself treating Jesus as though his role were to support your plans? What would trusting him as King look like in that situation? [39:29]
- Is there an ordinary act of service—such as caring for children, cleaning, helping a neighbor, or sharing the gospel—that you have been reluctant to do? What makes it difficult, and what might help you approach it with greater delight? [43:21]
- When does giving Jesus your time, money, or energy feel like losing something you cannot afford to lose? What evidence of his generosity could help you trust him with that concern? [53:06]
- Christ offers rescue through faith in his death, burial, and resurrection, not through earning salvation by service. What are you relying on for acceptance with God? If you are unsure, what questions would you feel comfortable exploring with this group? [57:03]
