Monday – Luke 12:49-53 No Peace But Division
1. As Jesus travels closer toward Jerusalem, the cross looms larger and larger on His mental horizon (cf. Luk 9:51). Write several adjectives to describe the tone you imagine Jesus using in this scene.
2. Even though peace is announced at Jesus birth (Luk 2:13-14), He now says “Do you think I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” In what ways is Jesus challenging common understandings about His mission and message? How would you explain this to a friend?
3. Following Jesus may strain family relationships and loyalties. Recount a time when following Jesus brought division in your life. While division is not the goal, why should you willingly risk such tensions (cf. vv. 8-12)?

Tuesday – Luke 12:54-59 Interpreting the Time and Settle with Your Accuser
1. Why do people care enough about the weather to predict and prepare for it but not for eternity?
2. In your own words, apply Jesus’ parable on settling a personal debt before it goes to trial to a person’s spiritual condition (cf. Mat 6:12; Luk 7:36-50).
3. What relevance might Jesus’ rebuke and counsel have for you, living nearly two thousand years after the events that have happened that Jesus is referring to (cf. 2 Pet 3:1-13)?

Wednesday – Luke 13:1-5 Repent or Perish
1. Prompted by Jesus’ previous statements (vv. 54-59), someone in the crowd remarks about a recent tragedy involving Galilean worshipers. What basic assumption underpins their telling of the story (cf. Jhn 9:1-5)?
2. Instead of speaking about political issues, Jesus turns the incident into an opportunity to tell of another tragedy and issues a warning. In your own words, elaborate on His warning.
3. Reflect on why judging others as sinful (or at least less-than-spiritual) is easier than checking your spiritual condition (Luk 6:37-42). How can you overcome this tendency?

Thursday – Luke 13:6-9 The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
1. Furthering the discussion on a faithful response to other’s tragedies (vv. 1-5), Jesus tells the parable of the Barren Fig Tree. Unpack the details of the story.
2. What does the parable tell you about the response the Lord desires from His people? God’s judgment and patience through Jesus? What are the results of responding to or not responding to God’s grace?
3. How does this parable amplify Jesus’ previous statement, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (vv. 3, 5)? Where in your life do you need to bear the fruit of repentance (cf. Luk 3:7-9)? 

Friday – Luke 13:10-17 A Woman with a Disabling Spirit is Healed
1. For the last time in Luke’s gospel, Jesus is teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath day (4:14-30, 31-37, 44; 6:6-11). Describe the woman who catches His eye as He teaches and what He does for her.
2. Hypocrisy is a recurring theme in Jesus’ words for His people, (cf. Luk 12:1-3, 56). How did the synagogue rulers show hypocrisy in their attitudes toward people, animals, Jesus, and the Sabbath?
3. In what ways is Jesus doing for this woman what He longs to do for you, your friends, family, and neighbors? How can you avoid being a hindrance to His work? How can you join Him in loosening others from the grip of Satan?

Monday – Luke 12:4-7 Have No Fear
1. Jesus must now prepare His disciples for later persecutions. In what ways does the journey to Jerusalem, (that started back in 9:51; cf. 9:21-27, 43b-45), cast a shadow over His instructions here?
2. Elaborate on Jesus’ differentiation between the wrong kind of fear and the proper kind of fear. 
3. Reflect on how the illustrations of sparrows and hairs should encourage you to shun hypocrisy (vv. 1- 3), and fearlessly proclaim your faith (vv. 8-12) even in the face of opposition?

Tuesday – Luke 12:8-12 Acknowledge Christ before Men
1. In your own words, summarize Jesus’ teaching about confessing Him or denying Him. 
2. Peter disowns Jesus three times (Luk 22:31-34, 54-62), and yet he is not only welcomed back into the fold (Jhn 21:15-19) but becomes a leader of the church (cf. Act 1:15; 2:14). What, then, is the overall force of Jesus warning? How does it apply to disciples today?
3. It’s been said, “There are no secret disciples. Either the secret will destroy the disciple, or the disciple will destroy the secret.” When are you tempted to deny Jesus by outright denial or by remaining silent about being His disciple? What steps will you take to boldly proclaim your allegiance to Christ?

Wednesday – Luke 12:13-21 The Parable of the Rich Fool
1. While Jesus is discussing the dangers of hypocrisy and succumbing to persecution, a man interrupts him. What does the man want? Why do you think he interrupts Jesus?
2. While Jesus refuses to judge between the two brothers, He does speak to the man’s motivation in v. 15. How does the parable of the Rich Fool illustrate the truth “that one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possession”?
3. Applying Jesus’ conclusion in v. 21, when are you tempted to horde treasure for yourself? Define what it means to be “rich toward God.” Reflect on how this helps overcome “all kinds of covetousness” (v. 15).

Thursday – Luke 12:22-34 Do Not Be Anxious
1. Turning to His disciples, Jesus instructs them to “not be anxious” about what they will eat or wear. In context, how is worrying about such things related to not being ready for the Lord’s return (vv. 35- 48), greed (vv.13-21), not acknowledging God (vv. 8-12), fearing man (vv. 4-7), and hypocrisy (vv. 1- 3)?
2. List as many reasons as you can for why, according to Jesus, worrying about your life is unnecessary. How does worry dishonor our God who cares for His children?
3. Sometimes we make life much harder than it needs to be. What are the similarities and differences between the anxieties of Jesus’ day and the anxieties exhibited today among disciples? Reflect on all the ways trusting God instead of worrying for these things, frees you to “seek His kingdom.”

Friday – Luke 12:35-48 You Must Be Ready
1. Moving from teachings on worry, Jesus now directs the disciples to “Stay dressed for action” (v. 35). In your own words, summarize the parables Jesus tells to emphasize the need for a state of readiness.
2. Meditate on v. 48, and consider what material goods, abilities, knowledge, and responsibilities you have been given. How will you use these to store up treasures in heaven?
3. If you knew Jesus would return next week, to what degree, if any, would it change your agenda for the next few days? Explore how your answer aligns with Jesus’ teaching on being ready at any moment.

Monday – Luke 11:29-32; Jonah 3:1-10 The Sign of Jonah
1. Going back to v. 16, the crowd is demanding a sign from Jesus to prove He is the Messiah. Why might the request for a sign be met with such resounding condemnation from Jesus?
2. With Jonah 3 as the backdrop, what comparisons is Jesus making between Himself and Jonah? Those faithlessly demanding a sign and the Ninevites?
3. The point of Jesus’ use of Jonah is that we must respond to God’s truth by faith. How can you avoid the mindset that is constantly wanting “a sign” that proves Jesus is the Messiah, or His way is the best?

Tuesday – Luke 11:31; 1 Kings 10:1-13 The Sign of the Queen of Sheba
1. Jesus’ second illustration comes from the Queen of Sheba. In your own words, trace the events of the Queen’s visit with Solomon? Note her impression of God because of Solomon’s wisdom and wealth.
2. With 1 Kgs 10:1-13 as the backdrop, what comparisons is Jesus making between Himself and Solomon? Those faithlessly demanding a sign and the Queen of Sheba?
3. It was highly insulting to Jewish sensibilities to say Gentiles – the Ninevites and the Queen – were wiser than the current generation. When, in defense of the gospel, is the use of such cutting language acceptable? Or should this only be reserved for the likes of Jesus? Explain your answer.

Wednesday – Luke 11:33-36 The Light is in You
1. Jesus again compares the message of the kingdom to light (cf. Luk 8:16-18). What does the image of a lamp on a stand say about the availability of the gospel to Jesus’ hearers? To you?
2. Proverbially, Jesus draws upon healthy eyes (sighted) and bad eyes (blinded) to illustrate deeper spiritual truths (cf. Luk 10:21-24). What choices lead a person into or out of spiritual blindness?
3. Once illumined by the light of Jesus, summarize the responsibilities Mat 5:14-16 places upon the disciples? How are you a light to those around you? List any areas in which your light may be hidden. In what ways will you change, so the light of Jesus can shine more brightly through you?

Thursday – Luke 11:37-54 Woe to the Pharisees and Lawyers
1. Luke alone records Jesus eating with Pharisees (cf. 7:36-50; 14:1-24). Place yourself around the triclinium, how do you imagine the scene as Jesus pronounces a series of woes on the religious leaders?
2. The issue at hand is not washing for hygienic purposes but for ritual purity. In what ways were the Pharisees like dishes washed only on the outside but dirty on the inside?
3. Earlier, Jesus described the conflict between light and darkness (vv. 33-36). Based on the woes Jesus pronounces on the Pharisees, what are some indicators of a life full of darkness? By implication, what would a life “full of light” look like?

Friday – Luke 12:1-3 Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees
1. The crowds that follow Jesus are large and often unorderly (cf. Mrk 3:9; Luk 8:45). Why do you think Jesus chooses this moment to teach the disciples on the topic of hypocrisy?
2. In what ways is hypocrisy like leaven (yeast)? Looking ahead to vv. 4-7, what fears might lead to a disciple adopting the hypocritical tendencies of the Pharisees (cf. vv. 37-54)?
3. Elaborate on Jesus’ warning in vv. 2-3, why is hypocrisy dangerously foolish? Where in your faith do you struggle with living an authentic faith? Pray to the Lord about your struggles.

Monday – Luke 11:1-4 The Lord’s Prayer
1. In his gospel, Luke constantly shows Jesus as a man of prayer (ref. 3:21; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18, 28-29; 22:32, 40-41, 44-45). Why do you think His habit of prayer sparked the disciples’ interest?
2. That we have two versions of the Lord’s Prayer (cf. Mat 6:9-13), shows us the issue is not the prayer’s exact wording, but its themes. Elaborate on the themes you find in Jesus’ model prayer.
3. The disciples’ request is “Lord teach us to pray” – that is the habit of prayer. In what ways does knowing what to pray for help in developing the habit of prayer? How does the promise of Rom 8:26 also help?

Tuesday – Luke 11:5-13 Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking
1. The disciples’ request is “Lord teach us to pray.” First, Jesus teaches them what to say, next through two pictures with commentary He strongly urges them to pray with boldness. There are all sorts of ways in which God is not like the sleepy friend, but on what point of comparison is Jesus focusing?
2. In your own words, what does the example of God as a generous Father teach about His character?
3. What five words would you use to describe your current prayer life? Looking over vv. 1-13, what are two or three principles you can apply from this passage to strengthen your prayer life?

Wednesday – Luke 11:14-23 Jesus and Beelzebul
1. Imagine being part of the crowd witnessing Jesus expel the mute-demon. Describe what you see and hear from Jesus, the demon-possessed man, the crowd, and the naysayers.
2. Skeptical, Jesus’ critics charge Him with being in league with “Beelzebul, the prince of demons” (a Jewish name for Satan). How does Jesus point out their illogical position? In what ways does Jesus’ further claim strengthen or clarify His argument?
3. Every person is either helping Jesus or hindering Him. Considering v. 23, describe how one gathers with Jesus and scatters against Him. Where are you on the gathering-scattering spectrum?

Thursday – Luke 11:24-26 Return of An Unclean Spirit
1. Building off the pervious scene (vv. 14-23), Jesus talks about a person who experiences release from a demon but is again overcome. Outline the events of Jesus’ parabolic teaching.
2. The point of the parable is to warn of the devastating consequences of experiencing God’s work only to fail to fill one’s life with faith. What advice would you give a new Christian on how to fill themselves with God? To what degree do you follow your own advice? Why or why not?
3. Jesus’ conclusion, “the last state of that person is worse than the first” is a repeated biblical refrain (cf. Jhn 5:14; Heb 6:4-8; 10:26-31; 2 Pet 2:20-22). Why are those who experience God’s truth and blessings but don’t fill their lives with Him, worse off than before?

Friday – Luke 11:27-28 True Blessedness
1. In the middle of Jesus correcting His critics and His parabolic teaching on demons (vv. 14-26), a woman unexpectedly interrupts with praise for Jesus and His mother. Why do you think she does this?
2. Nearly everyone is concerned with living the abundant life, their best life, or the good life. For Jesus, how does one live the blessed life? How do His words contrast with what the woman said?
3. In what ways does “hearing the word of God and keep[ing] it” serve as the antidote to the devastating situation described in vv. 24-26? Where in your life do you need to hear and keep God’s word?

Monday – Luke 10:1-9 Jesus Sends out the Seventy-Two
1. On the road to Jerusalem (cf. 9:51), Jesus expands His missionaries from twelve (cf. 9:1-6) to seventy-two. What clues in the text reveal that their mission is a matter of real urgency?
2. In what sense are the missionaries like “lambs in the midst of wolves”? Why would a message of peace, healing, and the arrival of God’s kingdom seem so threatening?
3. Despite opposition, Jesus tells the seventy-two, “The harvest is plentiful.” Why do you think the command to “pray earnestly” for harvesters precedes the command to “Go”? How can you put these two commands, pray and go, into practice?

Tuesday – Luke 10:10-16 Woe to Unrepentant Cities and the Sending of the Seventy-Two 
1. Building off his positive instructions on acceptance, Jesus trains His missionaries on rejection. How are the seventy-two supposed to handle rejection?
2. Reflect on why it will be worse in the day of judgment for Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum (cf. Luk 4:31-44; 5:17-26; 7:1-10; 9:10-17) than the despicably wicked cities of Sodom (Gen 18:22-19:29), Tyre and Sidon (Isa 23). What would Jesus say about your town, “Woe to you…” or “Blessed are you…”? Why?
3. Jesus ends with a word on acceptance and especially rejection. In what ways should the truth of v. 16 temper the eagerness for acceptance and soften the blow of rejection?

Wednesday – Luke 10:17-24 The Return of the Seventy-Two and Jesus Rejoices in the Father’s Will
1. In your own words describe the joy of the returning missionaries. Why do you think they focus on casting out demons instead of preaching about the kingdom?
2. For Jesus, the success of the seventy-two is a preview of the ultimate overthrow of Satan but their joy should be in the fact that their “names are written in heaven.” What seems to be His aim with this statement?
3. Jesus has one more response for the seventy-two - a solemn prayer of praise to God. What things have the Father revealed to the disciples that sets them apart from the “wise” and from “prophets and kings”?

Thursday – Luke 10:25-37 The Parable of the Good Samaritan
1. We’re told a lawyer wants to test Jesus. What kind of answers do you think he wants when he asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” and “Who is my neighbor?”
2. How does Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan illustrate the two great commandments, while also answering the lawyer’s two questions?
3. When Jesus says, “Go and do likewise,” what exactly is He telling the lawyer to go do? How does this command also apply to you?

Friday – Luke 10:38-42 Martha and Mary
1. Place yourself in the home of Martha and Mary with Jesus and the disciples. Describe the feel of the house as Jesus teaches with Mary listening and Martha franticly serving.
2. What positive and negative qualities do you see in Martha? From Jesus’ comment and your observation of her, what seems to be her root problem? Can you relate? How so?
3. Suppose you ask Jesus, “How can I learn, like Mary, to choose what is better?” What might He say to you? Going forward, in what ways will you, like Mary, choose Jesus over the anxieties of life?