Don't Mess With An Exorcist At Work!

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting May 12 to study Luke 11:14-28.  This is a collection of accounts of Jesus that center around demonic activity at first, then ends with Jesus' response to a comment about His mother (it's not as bad as it sounds). 

Per our normal set of instructions, read through the passage in as many different translations as you can, ESV, NIV, KJV, and NRSV are good ones to choose if you're looking at Blue Letter Bible for instance.  Make notes on what's going on, who says what, to whom, when, and so on.  Once you have a good handle on what's happening, see if you can figure out why.  In other words, why would someone accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of their prince?  Why would that make sense then, because it doesn't now.  Stuff like that.

Once you have your notes, then look at other sources, commentaries, and so on.  Again there are several on www.blueletterbible.org to choose from, and they're easy to find.  Revise your notes and questions as you find more stuff.

After you've followed these three steps, go back through with the questions below:

• This charge about Jesus casting out demons through the power of their prince is also found in Matthew 9:32-34, but without Jesus' response.  In Mark12:22-30 we have the unpardonable sin attached to this claim about Jesus, along with His defense.  So, why do you think this claim would seem to make sense to those in that culture?
• Luke has a unique challenge to the people about those among them who cast them out.  Who do you think are their "sons" that Jesus refers to?
• Jesus defends Himself in both Mark and Luke by point out that the devil wouldn't work against himself.  But the most common explanation is that the people are claiming that the devil is "making Jesus look good to deceive people."  What do you think the people accusing Jesus are thinking?
• Why do you think the others were "testing" Jesus seeking a sign from heaven?  What's more of a sign than a demon-possessed mute speaking free of the demon?
• Jesus' description of the "strong man" is much more developed in Luke's account than Mark's.  Why do you think that might be?
• In verse 23, Jesus seems to reverse His position of Luke 9:50. Or does He?  What do you think might be the connection between these two statements?
• The discussion of Jesus about the demon leaving and then returning to the person seems somewhat disjointed with verse 23, and more tightly connected with the preceding passage. Why do you think that might be?
• Jesus gives the warning of verses 24 through 26, but doesn't really provide a solution.  Is this referenced elsewhere where a solution is presented?  What cross references were you able to find that explained this or used it differently?
• Finally, a woman has a really weird comment to make about Jesus, or more specifically, about His mother.  What do you think of her statement?  Look at it in a few other translations.  What about this sounds...left-handed, as compliments go?  Or does it? What do you think?
• Jesus doesn't seem to skip a beat, and fires off a correction of the woman's cry.  Jesus seems to think that those hearing and obeying God's word are blessed rather than His mother.  What does that seem to imply about Mary?  Why do you think He would say that?  Do you think this is really negative toward His mother (look back at 8:19 through 21)?

That should keep us more than busy for the time we have.  Remember to also be thinking in terms of the things that seem to shake you Awake!  If you are Honest, what Action is God leading you to take in response what He's shown you?

Hostess Heartache and Modeling Prayer

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting April 28 to study Luke 10:38 through 11:13.  We are crossing a chapter boundary, which is weird for us, but I think it will work out.

This passage (or these two passages) are probably familiar, but as the characters are available in other Gospels, and the format Jesus gives for prayer has a parallel, we'll be plenty occupied with them.  Be sure to read these through several times.  Also check out references to other passages.  There should be some that refer to John 11, and others that refer you to Matthew 6:9-15.

Read through the passages in several translations.  Be sure to read the parallel passage in Matthew and perhaps John 11 (the raising of Lazarus).  Jot down questions and insights you have from them.  Read a commentary or two (those on Blue Letter Bible are pretty good). Revise your questions and insights, and bring these notes with you Thursday.

After you've gone through that, go back through the questions below:

• In Luke's narrative, Jesus is traveling to Jerusalem.  From John we learn that they live in Bethany, a short distance from Jerusalem.  So where is Jesus and this "village"?
• The word for what Martha is doing before she approaches Jesus is a word "pulled around" like what a rider would do when he wheels a horse around or a formation of soldiers might do to turn around to go the opposite way.  How do you imagine Martha in this scene?  What does what she's doing, look like to you?
• The word for "approached" can imply that she shows up suddenly in a surprising manner.  What do you think this question and request of hers reveals about her motivation for what she was doing?
• Look at Martha's question she begins with in a few different translations.  What do you sense is Martha's attitude here?
• Martha sounds on the surface like she wants Mary to help be a good hostess, in other words, to show hospitality to Jesus.  What do you see in this short dialogue that might argue against that surface meaning?
• Jesus' response is probably the most famous part of this passage.  What do you think Mary has chosen over what Martha has chosen?
• There is a break, and now Jesus is praying.  For Luke this still happens as Jesus has set if face to go to Jerusalem, so it's on the way.  Where is this passage in Matthew?  What do you think is the timing of Jesus' teaching on prayer?
• Matthew's version is longer.  But each has many different variants of this prayer.  Why do you think Jesus' model of prayer might have so many slight differences between editions?
• Luke really seems to have abbreviated his version of the prayer.  Little things on the end of each statement were left off.  Considering the different sources used by Matthew and Luke (see Luke 1:1-4), which do you think might be closer to what Jesus taught? 
• Which do you find more remarkable, the elements that are the same or the differences between Matthew and Luke?
• Considering the elements that are the same between Matthew and Luke, what are the basic, consistent elements to prayer that Jesus provides His disciples?  Why do you think those elements are so important?
• In Matthew 6:14, 15 the point Jesus emphasizes is forgiveness.  What's the emphasis in Luke?  Why do you think they would have different emphases?

This is enough to get us thinking.  Also be thinking about where you have been Martha, and Mary in your relationship with Jesus.  And think through what you say when you pray in relation to the model Jesus provides.

Being A Neighbor

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting April 21 to study Luke 10:25-37 (The Parable of the Good Samaritan).  This is really familiar to nearly everyone, whether they know the Bible or not, they've typically heard of it.  In some ways, this makes it difficult to do what we do.  But in others, it makes it really easy.

Read through the parable in a few translations, looking for differences in word choice and sentence structure.  You will find little change in meaning, but wide variety in choice of words and sentence structure.  Jot down what you notice and questions you have about it.  It is sometimes helpful to look up the different words used for the same thing to see what nuance the translator chose over another.

After you've spent some time doing that, look through some commentaries.  These will answer some of your word-choice and other questions, but will create other questions.  Make more notes to bring to the group.

Once you've been through your own study, go back through with the questions below:

• In that day, a lawyer was one who studied Scripture and debated it.  So, why would this guy "test" Jesus?  What do you think he's up to?
• Jesus throws it back on him asking him what he thinks.  The lawyer gives the answer Jesus gives in Jerusalem when He's tested by the Pharisees.  What does this tell you about what Jews of the day thought about the "Greatest Commandment"? (see also Mark 12:28-34)
• Jesus agrees with the man's answer, so why push on? What was it about which this man needed to "justify himself"?
• Jesus launches into a parable.  In it, a common problem on the road to Jericho, a man is mugged.  Then three people come by.  Why do you think the priest and Levite would decline to help the man?  Keep in mind they are on their way to Jericho, not Jerusalem.
• The two obvious "heroes" aren't, and next comes the Samaritan.  The crowd probably booed at this point.  But he shows compassion.  Now what does the crowd do?  What do you think the Lawyer is feeling?
• Jesus is very detailed about the help the Samaritan gives.  Why do you think it was important to Jesus to be so specific?
• The care the Samaritan gives continues on, it's thorough, it lasts the rest of the day and beyond into the next.  Jesus is not giving any quarter on His definition of neighbor.  Besides the lawyer, what do you think the crowd around Jesus thought when the Samaritan is so thoroughly good?
• Jesus ends by asking the lawyer which of the three was a neighbor to the mugged one.  What do you think is the point of the "neighbor" being a Samaritan?
• The lawyer replies that the neighbor is the one who showed compassion.  But Jesus designed the story so that the lawyer would have to emulate a Samaritan.  Why do you think Jesus would make it more difficult on the lawyer?

After looking through this familiar parable in detail, what do you see as the application for you?  Where are those opportunities to show compassion around you?  And what will you do when you see another of these opportunities?

The Second Wave of Sending Out

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting April 7 to study Luke 10:1-24.  In this passage Jesus sends out 70 (or 72...) to go and minister.  It sounds a lot like and lot different from the previous sending out of twelve in 9:1-10.  You may want to review that passage as we look at this one.  The parallels in Matthew and Mark are really for the sending of the twelve, but some of the comments and instructions are found in the sending of the seventy rather than the twelve.

Read through the passage several times.  Jot down notes and questions as you read.  Use different translations to get a better sense of the passage.  After you have your own notes and questions, refer to commentaries.  Revise your questions and notes as you see fit.

After you've gone through the passage yourself, go back through with the questions below:

• The question about 70 or 72 really is an early textual issue, 70 is more likely what Luke wrote.  Seventy would be like the Scriptures Luke's audience used (the Septuagint, Latin for 70 is what the Greek OT was called).  Seventy-two is more Jewish, like the leading council, the Sanhedrin which had 72 members.  Which makes more sense to you as to the number Jesus sent out?
• Where Jesus sent the 70 is much like where He sent the 12.  Why do you think He would do this again?
• In verse 2, we have a quote paralleled in Matthew, but given a different context.  So which context makes more sense to you, in the midst of Jesus' ministering, or in the context of 70 followers being sent out to minister?
• The pairs are sent out as "lambs among wolves".  How do you think Jesus meant this?
• They are, again, to travel light, but here they are told to "greet no one along the way."  Why do you think Jesus gave this instruction?  Look at Acts 8:26-40.  Do you think Philip followed this command or did it apply to him?
• The instructions on hospitality are like the earlier ones, but what about the response to rejection?  What do you think about the response to villages who reject them?
• The instruction to bring peace to a house is different as is the instructions on eating.  What do you think about the instruction to bring peace to a house?
• Why are the seventy "workmen worthy of wages"?  What do you think this means for ministry today?
• There are two instructions about eating whatever is provided. Why do you think Jesus is repeating Himself?
• They are to do in each village essentially what the twelve did before. Why do you think Luke connects all of those together?  Why don't we? Or do we?
• Instructions about responding to rejection are different or at least more detailed. Why do you think these instructions included a verbal element?
• Why do you think Jesus would pronounce such "woes" on these cities?  What had they witnessed that these Gentile and cursed places had not?
• The rest of this passage is all out of order with the other Gospels.  Why do you think that may be?  Why do you think the Gospel writers would arrange their accounts differently?
• Jesus says that listening or not to those sent out is the same as listening or not to Jesus Himself.  What application can be made of that today?
• Jesus also connects listening to accepting, and not listening to rejecting; not only of those sent out, but of Him.  What application can you make of this today?
• We have no account here of what happened to the seventy, only that they returned with joy.  That sounds positive, but it also sounds different from just previously where a demon wasn't subject to them.  So what do you think changed?
• Commentators disagree a lot about whether Jesus refers to Satan falling from heaven then or before when he rebelled.  If you've read stuff which do you think is a more likely reference?  What do you think of the possibility Jesus is referring to something Satan does not that he did?  Like he rushes back because he realizes he left the garage door open?
• Jesus then refers to the authority to tread on snakes (the colonies used that one for a flag if I'm not mistaken), scorpions, and "over all the power of the enemy".  What do you think of this claim by Jesus?  Is this a promise we can claim?
• How does Jesus' statement that they should be more happy their names are recorded in heaven?  How does that help you apply and make use of these things Jesus has said?
• Jesus praises God.  Can you think of and find another place it specifically says Jesus "rejoiced" and "praised" God?
• Jesus calls the seventy all excited and rejoicing "infants" as opposed to the "wise" and "intelligent".  How do you think this was not an insult?  How do you think they took it?
•  Jesus claims that all things had been handed over to Him by the Father.  Read Philippians 2:9-11.  Do you think this has happened already when Jesus speaks, or does it happen later after the resurrection? (yes, this is a trick question, sort of)
• Jesus then tells the disciples only that they are seeing what prophets and kings wanted to see but didn't.  What do you think that meant to the disciples right then?  What do you think it meant to them later?

That should keep us busy for our time together.  Remember to be looking for application as you read, what these things mean to you, what you may need to do different in response, how this affects your life and behavior.

Remember to bring your notes and questions Thursday!

Foreshadowing and Plot Twists

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting March 31 to study Luke 9:37-62 (or as far as we get).  A lot happens in this passage, so there will be plenty to look at.  One of the important elements is how Luke connects everything in a literary manner.  This is one of the places Luke is very different from Matthew and Mark.

Read through the passage several times.  Focus on the bigger picture of what is happening, but then focus on the pieces.  The smaller elements are broken up into topics of discussion.  In some sense they are connected, but sometimes it seems loosely.  If you put yourself into the action, the connections can become clearer.  Make sure to jot down questions and insights you gain as you do this.

After you have looked at the passage thoroughly, go through with a commentary or two.  Revise your questions, add some new ones, and see what new insights you gain.  Remember to consider why a commentator thinks what they do, and feel free to challenge that reasoning.

After you have gone through the passage go back through again with the questions below:

• In Matthew, Mark, and Luke the casting out of the demon is present.  But there are slight variations between the accounts.  Mark has the most detail, but in all three the statement of Jesus about putting up with this perverted generation is present.  Why do you think that is so important?  What do you think Jesus means by it?
• Luke compresses the aftermath of the account, omitting the question of the disciples about why they couldn't cast it out.  And Luke has a shorter statement by Jesus about His coming death.  Why do you think Luke might be shortening this section?  He keeps the point focused.  What do you think Luke is focusing on here?
• In all three accounts, the mention of Jesus' suffering is followed by a discussion of who is the greatest disciple.  What do you think might be the reasoning behind that?
• In all three accounts this correction by Jesus of who is greatest is followed by James, John, or another disciple mentioning the person they hindered from casting out demons in Jesus' name.  Why do you think the disciples would connect a child being greatest to a random exorcist operating in Jesus' name?
• Verse 51 is the "hinge" in the plot for Luke.  Think through how it connects to what is before and after in this passage.  How do you think the discussions leading to this verse support Luke's literary focus?
• After this verse, Samaritan villages don't welcome Jesus.  The reason given, that He is headed for Jerusalem, isn't unusual for Samaritan villages, it's sort of normal business for them to treat Jewish pilgrims this way.  So why do you think James and John wanted to respond by calling in artillery fire from Heaven?
• Jesus' response to the disciples is not the same in all versions of the Bible.  Commentaries should have some explanation of it.  The problem is that none of the other Gospels have this event, so how the extra text got in there, and where it came from is a mystery.  In general, the shorter reading is preferred.  Why do you think that might help in this instance?
• The last three statements of Jesus in this chapter come in response to persons either He invites or who say they want to follow Him.  Why do you think the person wishing to follow Him is told Jesus has no home?
• What do you think it means for Jesus to actually invite someone to follow Him when He's headed to His death?
• Why would Jesus tell the person to "let the dead bury the dead"?  What do you think Jesus means by this?
• Jesus then tells the man to go and proclaim he Kingdom of God.  How do you think the man would be capable of that?  Who do you think this guy might be?
• The last one is the most frightening.  What do you think it means to put your hand to the plow and look back?  What do you think that might look like today?

That should be more than enough to keep us occupied, probably for a few weeks.  I know this much material can be overwhelming, so think it through in smaller chunks to find those things that wake you up.  What elements is the Spirit using to jar you Awake?  What do you Honestly see in yourself when you look at these accounts?  What Action do you need to take in response?  Repeat those questions for each element that jumps out at you.

Seeing the Kingdom of God

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting March 24 to study Luke 9:18-36.  This passage will cover Jesus' questioning of His disciples and the Transfiguration.  There are some challenging elements here, especially for application to our lives.

Read through the passage with as many translations as you have available.  Look for where they differ the most and see if you can see why that might be (look up words on the Blue Letter Bible site for instance).  Make notes of questions and insights you gain as you read.

After reading it through and making your own notes, go to a commentary of some sort.  See what questions this answers and what questions they raise.  Adjust your notes, and then go back through with the questions below:

• In other Gospel accounts, Jesus takes the to Caesaria Philippi.  Luke isn't that specific, only that, once again, Jesus is praying.  Why do you think Luke leaves out the location here?
• Jesus asks the same question in all three accounts, "Who do people say that I am?"  Why do you think Jesus might be interested, concerned, or otherwise want to know what the disciples had heard of what other people thought of Him?
• Then, in all three accounts, Jesus asks, "Who do you you think I am?" which puts the challenge on them.  While the first question is debatable, for this one, what's the obvious reason for His asking?  On the other hand, what not so obvious reasons can you think of Jesus might ask?
• In all three accounts Peter answers for the group.  But only in Matthew is it the long version we normally hear.  In all three cases there are slight differences.  Why do you think there was such inconsistency among the three writers?
• Jesus then warns them to tell no one about Him.  He has just sent them out to preach the coming of the Kingdom of God, why do you think He now tells them to tell no one He is he Christ (Messiah)?
• Jesus then explains (but in varying detail) that He will suffer, be killed, and raise on the third day.  At this point Luke deviates completely from the other two Gospels. While the other Gospels have Peter's "rebuke" of Jesus, Luke skips to Jesus launching into a challenge about discipleship.  Why do you think Luke would leave out Peter's "rebuke" here?
• Matthew and Mark state that Jesus began to teach them about His suffering, death, burial, and resurrection.  Luke doesn't.  It's possibly a small point, but why do you think Luke wouldn't include such a detail?
• Jesus then says a famous statement about taking up a cross and following Him.  In Matthew and Mark, it seems to mean literally in Jerusalem to come.  Luke adds "daily" which puts in a more metaphorical sense.  Why do you think (what do commentators say) Luke would or might make this small addition?
• Then follows the reversal of saving versus losing our lives.  How do you save or sacrifice your own life?
• Then Jesus asks about the value of a soul.  But Luke skips the possibility of something in exchange for his soul.  Why do you think Luke would leave that out?
• Next Matthew leaves out the part about Jesus being ashamed of those who deny Him in this world (but see Matthew 10).  Considering these differences, what do you think the Gospel writers are doing with this material or what sort of material are they using?
• In all three Gospels, Jesus now makes a statement that some will not die before they see the Kingdom of God.  What do you think that means?  When did the Kingdom of God show up for them to see if Jesus hasn't returned yet?
• In three Gospels Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on a mountain.  In Luke it was to pray, and they fall asleep.  In Matthew and Mark Jesus is transfigured immediately.  Why do you think Luke makes this adjustment in his account?
• Luke includes the detail about the topic of the discussion between Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.  Why do you think he might include that?
• Peter says it's good for them to be there, and that they should make "booths" for the three of them.  Even though the three Gospel writers say he didn't know what he was saying, why would he say that?  Why booths (or tents or tabernacles)?
• A cloud comes down and obscures everything, and a voice comes out of the cloud.  What is the "cloud"?
• Luke skips the discussion about Elijah, and summarizes with the comment they kept this to themselves until after Jesus rose.  Why do you think Luke would make such a change in his account?

There's a lot here to discuss, but the real point is how it impacts each of us.  What about this passage Awakens something in you?  Be Honest about what you see in yourself and your relationship with Jesus.  What Action do you need to take in response to what you see in yourself?

The Confused Tetrarch and A Mass Meal

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting March 10 to study Luke 9:1-17.  This passage brings up to Peter's confession and the Transfiguration.  There's plenty to discuss just in this passage though.

Be sure to read through a few times in various translations jotting down notes.  You should have plenty of questions, especially if you look through the parallel passages in Matthew, Mark and John! The feeding of five thousand is one of the few things that made into all four Gospels.  Try, in each case to put yourself in the scene with the twelve and Jesus (and some kid with a huge lunch?).

After you've come up with your own questions, look through commentaries, and see what sort of answers and additional questions you come up with.  If you have access to a couple of commentaries, see what differences even between them you see.  These may be favorite stories of Jesus, but they are not always agreed upon by teachers and Bible teachers.

After all that, see if you can come up with a single main point to the "sending out of the twelve", and then a single point to the feeding of the five thousand.  What do you think Luke is saying Jesus' main point is?  Let's share those as we open each section; single summary points.

After all that work on your part, if you feel up to it, go back through with the questions below:

• Jesus gives the twelve "power" and "authority" over both "demons" and "disease".  What do you think the connection is between demons and disease for Luke?  He's a doctor, so why do you think he saw the solution to these two things as "power" and "authority" rather than medicine?
• The two-fold purpose in their being sent is proclaiming good news (preach the gospel) of the Kingdom of God and healing.  How is the same or different today?  If it's the same, why aren't we doing both?
• In Luke's version of this story, they are to take nothing.  At least in Mark they could take a staff.  In Matthew, it's back to nothing, and this isn't in John.  Why do you think it was important to be so dependent on their journey?
• What do you think about the point to remain with the initial hosts?
• "Shake the dust off your feet" has become a cultural idiom within our culture.  In fact we've shortened it to "shake it off" in may cases.  What does this concept mean to you?
• The twelve seemed pretty effective everywhere. What does this tell you about the power and authority Jesus gave them in verse 1?
• The passage about Herod can be somewhat confusing.  What do you think is Luke's basic point in mentioning Herod?
• Herod is concerned because he beheaded John the Baptist, but with the other options, why do you think Herod wants to see Jesus?  Why do you think it was so hard for him to see Jesus?  Who was too busy?
•  The disciples return and Jesus takes them to Bethsaida.  See if you can locate where this might be on a map.  If Bethsaida is a town, why would they need to dismiss the crowd to the surrounding villages? What's the possibility that Luke has "stitched" two accounts together?  There are lots of problems with such a view, but did you have any commentaries that suggested it?
• Jesus tries to get the disciples alone, but welcomes the following crowd.  Why do you think Jesus would have not tried more emphatically to get His disciples some time alone?
• What Jesus does is essentially the same as what the disciples were just doing really well.  Why do you think this is such a foundational ministry concept for Luke?
• The disciples urge Jesus to send the people away, but He tells them to solve the problem.  They've just been doing what Jesus spent the day doing.  Why do you think it was so difficult for them to think ahead to what He was intending do to?
• They had five loaves and two fish. This is a consistent detail among the Gospel accounts.  Why do you think such a detail stuck out so clearly to all four Gospel writers?  Okay, so what is five and two? So, in "biblical numerology" what is the significance of seven?
• Most Gospel writers note that Jesus looks into heaven.  Why do you think this is significant for the blessing?  
• Matthew, Mark and John all make a point of mentioning the grass (John says it's green grass and lots of it).  Why do you think this is not a pertinent point for Luke?
• In each case they gather up 12 baskets of left-overs.  Again, "biblical numerology" is probably a point here, so what do you think it means, especially starting with seven and going to twelve?
• Why do you think this event is so important for understanding Jesus and His ministry that all Gospels include it?

Keep in mind the main point for these two (sending out the twelve and feeding five thousand).  What about these accounts gives you a "wake-up call"?  If your honest about what you see here and in your own life, what do you need to do different?  Jot those down as notes as well!

See you Thursday!