Of Messiahs, Scribes, and Widows

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting December 29 to study Luke 20:41 through 21:4.  This passage has three parts, a theological question Jesus asks, a warning to the disciples by Jesus, and the "widow's mite" story.  It would be a good idea to get some sort of sense of these accounts in Matthew 22 (41-46) and Mark 12 (35-44).  They are differing view points, so add to the overall scene.

Read through the passage several times, since it's short look also at the other Gospel parallels.  Jot down notes of things you notice or wonder about.  Imagine yourself in the temple courts, hearing Jesus, seeing the people and the religious leaders.  Describe the scene with as many senses as you can.  Ask questions of what you hear and see.

Once you have your own notes, look at commentary.  Don't just use "study Bible note", but include other things with such notes.  The Matthew Henry Commentary has a bunch, and can be found on the Blue Letter Bible.

After you have your own notes and have looked at a commentary, go back through with the questions below:

• Why do you think the Messiah was thought to be son of David?  See if you can find a reference for that.
• Read Psalm 110.  What do you think this is Psalm about?  Jesus asks why David calls the referenced "Messiah", "my Lord".  Why do you think David calls the subject of the Psalm his lord?
• It's not wrong to call the Messiah the "son of David", remember the blind man in Luke 19 as Jesus enters Jericho?  So what do you think is Jesus' point?  What concept about the Messiah do you think He is challenging with the question?
• Simply put, what do you think it is about the scribes that Jesus has a problem with?
• Why do you think these scribes will receive a "greater condemnation"?  Read Matthew 23 (all of it).  What does this tell you about why the "greater condemnation"?
• After Jesus says these things, He looks up.  In Mark 12 He intentionally goes and sits where He can see the offerings being given.  Even though Luke leaves this detail out, it's probably what happened.  So why do you think Jesus would want to watch this?
• Jesus points out how the widow puts in more than everyone even though the amount was less.  What character of the widow do you think Jesus is pointing out?

Jesus makes a lot of character of people in this passage, character of teachers and those who give.  So where is the point of application for you?  Think through your own life and character in your relationship with God. 

Unhindered by Hindrances

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Small Group meeting May 2 to study Acts 28.  This is the final chapter of Acts, and the chapter where we finally assess the point of Luke's writing.  Hopefully we will see more clearly for what reason Luke writes to, and perhaps what role Theophilus plays.  But we may not.

Read the chapter through several times.  Consider things that are explained, but look for things that aren't.  Consider why Luke selected the things he did for explanation.  What things about Paul do you discover in this chapter that you may not have considered previously?  Jot down observations and thoughts that come to you as you read.  Since this is so late, I hope you've already been doing this.

After several times through read through again with these questions in mind:

• Look at a map (like the one below).  How far is Malta from anything else?
• Why might you expect them to find a jewel encrusted gold bird?  Perhaps painted black... Maybe a fluffy white dog?
• What do you think is meant by "natives"?  Like aborigines?
• How are the castaways treated?
• What is Paul doing in the midst of the Islanders hospitality?  Why?
• What did the Islanders think when Paul was bitten?  Why think that?
• In verse 6, Luke uses a technical medical term. Can you guess which word?
• Look up "swell up" in the Strong's Concordance.  Is this the best translation of the word? Be sure to check out Thayer's Lexicon entry.  Buried in it is a better explanation.
• When the expected doesn't happen, what do the Islanders decide?
• What can you deduce from the name of the "leading man of the island"?  How "aboriginal" are these Islanders?
• What does Paul do for Publius' father?
• Now what do the Islanders do?
• How long were the castaways on Malta?
• What was the other Alexandrian ship doing there?  So how "remote" is this place?
• Where did they go next? (New York State? Really?)
• What two stops do they make on the way to Rome? What sort of "cities" do they sound like?
• Who comes to meet Paul along the way to Rome?
• What was Paul's living conditions like in Rome?  Why would that be?
• Why would Paul call the Jews together rather than go to the synagogue? Now how nice are his conditions?
• What do the Jews say about him after he tells them why he's there?  Why is that odd?
• Why are the Jews interested in hearing him?  Why is that odd?
• What does Paul use to support his testimony about Jesus being the Messiah?
• How long does he "testify"?
• What happens among those listening?
• Read Isaiah 6 (it's not that long).  How does Paul's citation from that chapter fit these people?  What ironies do you see in his use of this passage?
• Who does Paul say salvation will go to?  And what does he say they will do?
• How long was Paul in Rome?
• What is he doing during that time?
• The final word is "unhindered" (NASB) or "without hindrance".  Why would that be a significant way to end Acts?

That should be plenty for now. See you all Thursday (tomorrow)!