What Is Work Anyway?

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting November 19 to study Luke 6:1-11.  This passage is made up of two run-ins between Jesus and the teachers of His day.  The problem they have is Sabbath-Keeping rules.  There is a huge cultural issue at stake for the Jews with this, and internal debate is very hot in Jesus' day.  So be sure to research Sabbath rules, and particularly during and after the Maccabean Revolt.

Read through the passage a few times jotting down questions and observations.  Look up the Sabbath article in the ISBE on the Blue Letter Bible site (see link above), and pay close attention to II.2. in that entry.  After you have your own set of questions and observations, then go to any commentary you can find (including those on the BLB site).  From them you may find answers, additional observations, and additional questions.  Jot those down too and bring them Thursday.

After having done your own study, go back through with the questions below:

• If the disciples were plucking, rubbing, and eating the heads of the grain, what were they doing in violation of the Sabbath?
• What does it tell you about the Pharisees own Sabbath keeping that they were in the fields with them?
• When they call Jesus on it, Jesus doesn't claim they didn't break the Sabbath.  Instead He refers to David breaking another rule.  What do you think is the underlying connection between His disciples breaking the Sabbath and David taking the holy temple bread?
• Jesus then tells the Pharisees that "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."  What do you think it means to be "Lord of the Sabbath"?  Why do you think Jesus would use that term?
• Greek is more grammatically fluid than English.  The essential construction in Greek would read "Lord is of the Sabbath the Son of Man."  The only grammatical element that is not a "subject" element is "of the Sabbath".  Essentially "Lord" = "Son of Man" and these are equated with respect to the Sabbath.  Considering the audience of this statement are Pharisees, what do you think they thought of Jesus' claim?
• We're not told of the Pharisees response to Jesus' claim to be Lord, not in any of the Gospels.  Why do you think that would be left out after such a dramatic claim on the part of Jesus?
• In verse 6, the word normally translated as "withered" can be found here.  Consider all the other possible and common translations of this word.  What do you think was wrong with the man's hand?
• The religious teachers watched Jesus closely because they wanted to know if He would heal the man.  But Jesus had already cast out demons in the Synagogue (see Luke 4:31-40).  So why do you think they are only now trying to find reason to accuse Him?
• Jesus knew, from before, that they were thinking these things.  So what do you think is His point in bringing the man in the middle of them and asking His question?  What do you think Jesus is getting at?
• Jesus uses the same term, "lawful" in His question to them that they used with Him in the fields. Look that word up.  Notice that it's not based on the word for "law" but from being, like Jesus' claim to authority.  So, it's not a law, but people's interpretation of that law at the core of this issue.  How does that change this issue for you?
• Jesus commands the man to stretch out his hand.  What does that tell you about how the man holds his hand?  In that case how do you think everyone knew his hand was withered?  What then does that tell you about the scene; the people, the man, Jesus' presence there, and so on?
• The Pharisees don't accuse Jesus right there, even though He does what they hoped He would so they could accuse Him.  Why do you think they were thwarted at that point?
• Considering the things you've read about the Sabbath, especially in that culture then, why do you think this bothered the Pharisees so much?  What's their problem?

 Those are plenty of questions to carry us through an hour or so.  Now, what were your AHA moments?

AWAKENING:  What in this passage woke you up?  Why?  What is the Holy Spirit telling you with the "alarm"?

HONESTY: If you are honest with and about yourself, what's the problem in your life and your life with God that is at issue here?  Perhaps you have discovered you focus on minor issues in others to the detriment of your love and compassion for them?  Where is your struggle in this issue?

ACTION:  What do you need to do different in light of the alarm and honest assessment?  What do you need to start doing or stop doing?

Plenty of things to discuss this Thursday.  See you all then!

Retirement Party at Levi's House! EVERYONE Welcome!

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting November 12 to study Luke 5:27-36. There are lots of opportunities to ask why in this passage.  Why do the Pharisees care, why do they ask the disciples instead of Jesus, and so on.  Take every opportunity to ask why.

Read through the passage several times, making notes.  You have extra time this session, two weeks, so take your time, but don't wait until next week to start.  Jot down notes and questions you have before you use any commentary materials.  Look up stuff like banquets and so on in a good Bible dictionary and/or Bible handbook.  Once you feel familiar with the passage, then go to any commentary materials you may have.  See if your questions get answered and what new ones you come up with.  After you've done all that, go back through with the questions below:

• What have you learned/looked up about taxes, specifically the ones Levi was collecting? If you haven't looked any up, check out this article at Blue Letter Bible. It's long, so focus on III.4. (Under The Romans), but you have time to read the rest for context and contrast.
• What do you think was involved in everything Levi left behind to follow Jesus?
• Levi hosts a banquet with Jesus.  Why do you think he would do that?  Why didn't he leave that and those friends behind when he "left everything"?
• Jesus eats with sinners.  What do you think about His comment to the offended Pharisees?  Why is he eating with them?
• Jesus says He came to call sinners rather than righteous.  What do you think He means by that? Do you think Jesus really believes the Pharisees are that healthy?
• The Pharisees then ask about fasting.  What do you think is the connection between these two subjects for the Pharisees? Perhaps an article on fasting would help?  Here's one.
• Why do you think the Pharisees would bring up John and his disciples as examples?
• What do you think Jesus' initial response about the bridegroom and groomsmen means?
• So, if the disciples don't fast now, but will later, what do you think Jesus' point is about the old and new (patches and wineskins)?
• Considering Jesus' final statement, what do you think Jesus is 'favoring' in this parable?

Below are some suggestions for applying the AHA principles to your study:

AWAKENING:  Prayerfully go through looking for the thing that God is using to awaken something in you.  Think through your life in relation to the people and teaching involved.  Jot down the 'alarm' that God is using with you.

HONESTY: Next be honest about your life in light of this 'alarm'.  Think through what God is pointing out to you about your life, like where you have strayed from a direction He gave you before, or about something you've been doing or not doing.  What do you see about your life in a new light from this passage?

ACTION:  Lastly, what do you need to do about what you discover?  What action do you need to take in light of your honest assessment of what God is saying to you?  What can you do now, before Thursday?  What do you need to do, perhaps long-term?

 

Be sure to bring your notes, questions, and any AHA realizations you found!