Monday – Luke 8:22-25 Jesus Calms a Storm
1. At least four disciples are experienced fishermen (cf. Luk 5:1-11), yet this storm sends a shiver up their spine. As you picture this scene, what do you imagine the disciples doing? Saying? Thinking? Why do you think Jesus is asleep amid the commotion?
2. Adding Mrk 4:38 to our reading, the disciples interpret Jesus’ sleep as a sign of indifference, “Don’t you care?” In what ways can you relate to their fear? How is their accusation and distress a lack of faith?
3. After witnessing Jesus still the storm with a mere word, the disciples question their own understanding of Jesus. When have you realized you didn’t know Jesus as well as you thought? What did it lead to?

Tuesday – Luke 8:26-39 Jesus Heals a Man with a Demon
1. As Jesus and the disciples disembark in Gentile area, they are immediately met by a demon-possessed man. Evaluate the man’s condition and actions.
2. Jesus solves the townspeople’s problem by healing the demon-possessed man, yet they fearfully beg Him to leave their region. What might be their reasons? Why do you think Jesus didn’t argue with them?
3. At the end of the incident, Jesus seems to reverse course. For the first time, He tells someone to go and tell others about their healing. Write out the man’s commission. In what ways can you adopt Jesus’ words for yourself?

Wednesday – Luke 8:40-56 Jesus Heals a Woman and Jairus’ Daughter
1. Back in home territory, a large crowd follows Jesus as He goes to help a young girl. Describe the woman who secretly touches Jesus. Why do you think He makes the woman reveal herself?
2. Delayed, word comes that the young girl has died. Why do you think Jesus feels the need to encourage Jairus not to fear, but to believe? How is fear a powerful tempter to abandon our hope in Jesus?
3. Each of the miracles in Luk 8:22-56 highlights the distinction between fear and faith. Which person(s) in these accounts do you sympathize with the most? Why? Where do you need Jesus’ exhortations, “Where is your faith?” and “Do not fear; only believe”?

Thursday – Luke 9:1-6 Jesus Sends Out the 12 Apostles
1. Calling the twelve apostles to Himself, Jesus sends them out, multiplying His ministry. How does the mission of the Twelve relate to Jesus own mission (cf. 4:17-19; 7:22-23; 8:1)?
2. Jesus warns them that they will not always be warmly received. Summarize their expected experience. Reflect on how rejection can either bolster or break one’s faith. What makes the difference?
3. According to Mrk 16:16-20 and Heb 2:1-4, the miraculous gifts are given to confirm the word as it is preached. Do we need to see miracles today to confirm the validity of the Word? Why or why not?

Friday – Luke 9:7-9; Mark 6:19-29 Herod is Perplexed by Jesus and the Death of John the Baptist
1. Herod the tetrarch thinking that John has risen from the dead, follows the account of Jesus sending out the Twelve. Why do you suppose Luke connects the two scenes together?
2. Using Mrk 6:19-29, trace the events that lead to John’s beheading.
3. Even though Herod fears and listens to John, he orders the prophet’s beheading. What does this reveal about Herod’s character? When does the pressure to please people override your desire to obey God? List the steps you will take to obey God rather than peer pressure.

Monday – Luke 7:36-50 A Sinful Woman is Forgiven
1. Place yourself in the scene of this dinner party, what do you see, hear, sense, and experience as Jesus is slighted from customary hospitality and as the woman silently enters and begins to wash Jesus’ feet?
2. What must the Pharisee have thought about God, sin, and righteousness to think the way he does as he watches in disgust as the woman washes Jesus’ feet?
3. In your own words, paraphrase the meaning of Jesus’ parable about the two debtors. How does His story relate to the woman, Simon, and Himself? What practical ways can you show the Lord love for the forgiveness you’ve been shown?

Tuesday – Luke 8:1-3 Women Accompany Jesus
1. Jesus radically departures from Rabbinic tradition: women are traveling with His band of disciples. What are your observations about these women?
2. Luke alone records the scenes of A Sinful Woman is Forgiven and Women Accompany Jesus. In what ways do you think the treatment of the sinful woman, inspire many other women to follow Jesus?
3. Looking ahead at the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus (Luk 23:49, 55-24:11), observe how these women show their devotion to Jesus. In what ways does their example challenge your devotion to Him?

Wednesday – Luke 8:4-15 The Parable of the Sower
1. Jesus now introduces His well-known teaching tool, the parable. Why does He speak to the crowd in parables? What kind of person does God enable to understand the secrets of the kingdom?
2. Elaborate on the main point(s) Jesus is communicating in the Parable of the Sower to the crowds who flock to Him and to His disciples who follow Him.
3. In contrast to the first three soils, Jesus says little about the fourth soil. He simply states it was “good.” But you don’t need to be an expert gardener to know what makes plants thrive. What is necessary? How do the physical needs of plants reflect spiritual needs of your faith?

Thursday – Luke 8:16-18 A Lamp Under a Jar
1. Jesus’ next parable is given to the disciples alone (cf. vv. 4, 9). Reflect on how followers of Jesus are to be like lamps on a stand. List several truths that should enlighten your life and those around you.
2. When are you tempted to hide the light of Jesus’ teachings? List several truths you’re tempted to hide. 
3. How can Jesus’ promise and warning motivate you to carefully listen to and shine forth His teachings? Pray for a heart that fully embraces the Lord’s words and gives light to all around you.

Friday – Luke 8:19-21 Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
1. Using Mrk 3:31-35 and Jhn 7:3-5 as sources, why is Jesus’ mother and brothers wanting to see Him? Do their actions surprise you? Explain.
2. Family is enormously important in Jewish culture, so Jesus’ statement in v. 21 is shocking but He’s not saying family is unimportant. Rather, He makes a further point about hearing His word (vv. 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18). Write out Jesus’ redefining of His family.
3. Home is not the easiest place to put God’s Word into practice, as Jesus well knew. Why must we choose Him over all earthly ties (cf. Luk 12:49-53; 14:25-27)? What are the implications of Jesus’ new definition of family for His disciples (cf. Luk 18:29-30)?

Monday – Luke 6:46-49 Build Your House on the Rock
1. As Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Plain, He gives a call to respond in obedience. In your own words, describe the word picture He is painting.
2. Putting Jesus’ words into practice is the way to build a lasting foundation against the day of Judgment. What will practicing Jesus’ teachings require of you?
3. Looking back at the whole sermon (6:17-49), Jesus’ point isn’t to provide His followers with a new rule book – a list of do’s and don’ts one can check off and feel satisfied with ourselves. Rather, what kind of heart and spirit is Jesus seeking to instill in His disciples?

Tuesday – Luke 7:1-10 Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant
1. Upon entering Capernaum, a delegation of Jewish leaders meets Jesus, pleading with Him to help a Roman officer. Identify the reasons why the leaders think the centurion is worthy of His help?
2. As Jesus goes to the officer’s home, the man sends a delegation to intercept Jesus, saying “I am not worthy.” Why does the centurion feel this way? How does his humility inspire his actions?
3. Scripture records only two occasions that state, Jesus “marveled” over someone’s faith (v. 9; Mrk 6:6). In what ways does the centurion’s faith amazes Jesus? How can you amaze Jesus today?

Wednesday – Luke 7:11-17 Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son
1. Leaving Capernaum, Jesus and His entourage walk twenty miles or so to the village of Nain. Put yourself in the scene, alongside the townspeople and/or the disciples, what do you see, hear, feel?
2. Unlike the Centurion, the childless widow makes no request for help, nor shows any outward sign of faith. What do you learn about Jesus from how He focuses His grace on the woman?
3. Reflect on how Jesus’ mere words confront death and illustrate the extent of His authority as “Lord” v. 13.

Thursday – Luke 3:18-20; 7:18-23 (cf. Mrk 6:17-19a) Messengers from John the Baptist
1. Let’s backtrack for a moment. Herod the tetrarch is an evil man, and he compounds his wickedness by locking John the Baptist in prison. Why does Herod seize and imprison John?
2. From his prison cell, John sends messengers to Jesus asking, “Are you the One who is come, or shall we look for another?” What do you think is fueling John’s question? Do you sense doubt, disappointment, frustration, or something else in his words? To what degree can you empathize with John? Explain.
3. How does Jesus prove He is the “One who is to come” (cf. Luk 4:18-19)? Write out several adjectives to describe the tone you imagine Jesus taking with John. In what ways does this picture of Jesus give you reassurance He is the Christ?

Friday – Luke 7:24-35 Jesus Discusses John the Baptist
1. Focusing on vv. 24-28a, outline Jesus’ description of John, noting what John is and what he is not. In what ways are these descriptors significant in understanding John’s mission?
2. Note Jesus’ rather shocking statement in v. 28b. How is it possible that the “least in the kingdom of God” is greater than John? Why is this truth something to praise God for (v. 29)?
3. While the outcasts embraced John and Jesus, the religious rulers rejected both men. Paraphrase Jesus’ description of the Pharisee’s and the lawyer’s fickleness. What are some of the misconceptions our present generation has about Jesus and His gospel?

Monday – Luke 6:17-19 Jesus Ministers to a Great Multitude
1. Jesus is drawing a wide variety of people to Himself. In your own words, describe the different types of people who make up the crowd coming to Jesus.
2. Had you lived back then, would you have traveled long distances to see and hear Jesus? Why? Explore in what ways you are and are not motivated by the reasons today?
3. Luke states, the crowd gathers to Jesus to “hear Him and to be healed.” In His ensuing sermon, Jesus teaches one comes to Him not just to receive His grace, but to respond to His grace. Skimming over vv. 20-49, how does Jesus want people to respond to His grace?

Tuesday – Luke 6:20-26 The Beatitudes and Woes
1. Jesus begins His Sermon on the Plain by contrasting two kinds of people, discussing each in four parallel ways. Who is blessed, and why? Who is pitiable, and why?
2. While Matthew’s Beatitudes are spiritualized (cf. Mat 5:2-12), Luke’s are not. Why is the kingdom given to disciples who are poor and rejected, while people who are rich and respected are in grave danger? In what ways are these four blessings and woes an upside-down covenant?
3. There are only two ways to find true happiness (blessedness) – the world’s way and God’s way. In what ways have you found Jesus’ way of happiness the right one? What tempts you to stray from Jesus’ way?

Wednesday – Luke 6:27-36 Love Your Enemies
1. Having turned the world’s values upside-down, Jesus proceeds to overturn the world’s standard of fairness. Summarize Jesus’ teaching on loving your enemies. Why is this an upside-down way of living?
2. As we’ve seen, Jesus has enemies and detractors – He’s not asking us to do anything He isn’t willing to do Himself. Explain the motivation for following His model of loving your enemies.
3. Who are some of your “enemies”? Focus on that person who could be considered your chief-thorn-in- your-side and, in the next few days, reach out to him or her with some practical show of love.

Thursday – Luke 6:37-42 Judging Others
1. Jesus summarizes His call for gracious forgiveness to replace judging and condemning by stating, “For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Elaborate on the meaning of Jesus’ truism.
2. The root of a judgmental, condemning spirit is hypocrisy. What is the difference between hypocritical judging and being lovingly discerning? How does one remove the log in their eye, to help their neighbor with the speck in their eye?
3. If you follow Jesus’ guidelines for replacing judging others with a loving (vv. 27-36), forgiving, and authentic faith, what positive and negative effects might it have on your relationships?

Friday – Luke 6:43-45 A Tree and Its Fruit
1. Jesus ends with two-word pictures to describe the obedience He desires. The first is that of a fruit tree. What does Jesus mean by “fruit”? Provide several examples of good and bad fruit (cf. Gal 5:16- 24).
2. Jesus is ultimately interested in how our characters are being molded by His words. How does the illustration of the tree and its fruit reflect this truth?
3. Evaluate your own heart by the standard of v. 45. What areas of your heart need reshaping by Jesus’ teachings so you can produce His “good fruit”?

Monday – Luke 5:33-39 A Question About Fasting
1. For the Pharisees, prayer and fasting were central acts of piety (cf. Mat 6:1-18; Luk 18:9-14). From their point of view, why is it unthinkable that Jesus and His disciples are feasting and not fasting?
2. Jesus’ responses paint the pictures of a wedding feast and the disastrous mixing of old with new. In your own words, what is He communicating about Himself and His gospel with these word pictures?
3. With v. 39, Jesus ends with a note of rebuke saying some will not give up the old for His new. Reflect on this truism, fill in the blank: I struggle with letting go of old _______________ for Jesus’ new _______________. Take time to pray, asking God for His strength to let go of the old and accept the new in Jesus.

Tuesday – Luke 6:1-5; 1 Samuel 21:1-9; 22:9-10 David and the Holy Bread
1. Before we explore Jesus’ defense of the disciples, let’s look at His mention of David. At the insistence of Jonathan, David immediately flees for his life (see 1 Sam 20:27-42). To what degree do you think David’s emotional state influences his decision to go to the tabernacle of God?
2. David concocts a cover story to help explain why he is alone and needs provisions. What three things does Ahimelech do to help David?
3. The only food available is the holy bread reserved for the priests (cf. Lev 24:5-6). After he attempts to preserve the sacredness of the bread, Ahimelech gives the loaves to David. Why do you think he does this?

Wednesday – Luke 6:1-5 Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath
1. Hungry, the disciples pluck grains of wheat, rub the husk off with their hands, and eat the kernel (cf. Deu 23:24-25). Why are the Pharisees criticizing Jesus and His followers for this simple action?
2. In the Pharisees’ mind, a person should go hungry rather than pluck grain on the Sabbath. How does this view of God’s Day of Rest, miss its true significance? What point did they miss from the account of David?
3. Jesus defends not only His disciples, but also His authority to let His disciples pluck and eat grain on the Sabbath. What does He claim? Why is His claim significant? 

Thursday – Luke 6:6-11 Jesus Heals a Man with a Withered Hand on the Sabbath
1. Picture the scene in the synagogue with Jesus, His disciples, the Pharisees, the man, and the crowd all coming together. Describe the mood, the people’s body language, the small talk, etc.
2. How do the scribes and Pharisees treat their rules as more important than people? Think of a time when you’re tempted to do the same. Based on what you’ve read, what would Jesus do in that situation?
3. Given that the Sabbath law is to bring rest to the weary (Exd 20:8-10; Deu 5:12-15), how do Jesus’ actions in this episode (and vv. 1-5) represent a fulfillment, rather than a violation, of God’s law?

Friday – Luke 6:12-16 The Twelve Apostles
1. Again, we find Jesus praying all before a pivotal movement (ref. 3:21; 9:18, 29; 11:1; 22:41). Do you think to pray like this? Why or why not? What would it take for you to spend the night in prayer?
2. From a “great crowd of His disciples” (6:17), Jesus chose twelve, whom He named apostles. Why twelve (cf. Luk 22:30)? According to Mrk 3:13-15, what is their initial mission?
3. These twelve men were quirky, at times inconsistent, and slow to grasp the implications of the gospel and yet, through Jesus, they changed the world. How does this truth encourage you in your day-to-day life as a Christian?