Luke 7 and 8

1. 7:1-10 The centurion showed great sympathy, benevolence, and humility. However, what was his greatest attribute?
   Comments: Jesus commented about his faith, calling it greater than any faith He had found in Israel.
   Note: It’s possible that this centurion had been responsible for the building of the synagogue where the man in Luke 4:31-37, was healed. William Hendriksen points out that though the elders (v. 4) told Jesus He should heal the centurion’s servant because the centurion was “deserving,” the centurion saw himself as “not worthy” (vv. 6-7).
2. 7:11-17 What was the reaction of the people after Jesus raised the widow’s son from the dead?
   Comments: Fear came upon all, and they glorified God. (However, they saw Jesus only as a prophet, a representative from God, not God Himself.) Other words for “fear” might be “awe” or “shock.”
3. 7:18-23 How was John to know whether or not Jesus was the Christ?
   Comments: By the things He did. He healed the blind, the lame, the leper, and the deaf and even raised the dead. Besides that, He preached the gospel to the poor, perhaps the greatest work of all.
   Note: John was imprisoned in the fortress at Macheurus, a Herodian palace east of the Dead Sea. (F, 12.5 on this Map of Israel.)
4. 7:24-35 What were the two different responses to the teaching of John?
   Comments: 1) Some – even tax collectors – justified God (acknowledged  He was right), and were baptized with John’s baptism. 2) Some “rejected the will of God for themselves” and rejected baptism.
5. 7:36-50 Who are the three main characters in this section? How are they different?
   Comments: Jesus: discerning, forgiving, loving; Simon the Pharisee: self-righteous, critical, judgmental; the sinful woman: repentant, sorrowful, and loving. According to Hendriksen, Luther called her tears “heart water.”
6. 8:1-15 What are the characteristics of a good and honest heart?
   Comments: One with a good and honest heart hears the word, keeps it, and bears fruit with patience. A “noble and good” heart is responsive and perseveres.
7. 8:16-21 With what attitude should we hear the word of God? (18, 21)
   Comments: 1) Taking heed, and 2) doing it. We listen with the attitude that we need to hear it, and then we put it into practice.
   Hendriksen: There are 4 ways to listen: 1)Not at all; 2) For entertainment; 3) To find fault; 4) To find wisdom and use it.
8. 8:22-25 What does His ability to calm the winds and waves indicate about the nature of Jesus?
   Comments: He had power over nature, and he was willing to demonstrate His power as the Son of God. He was disappointed in their lack of faith.
9. 8:26-39 What kind of power did Jesus have over demons? How was the man changed?
   Comments: He could command them, communicate with them. Once again, His power frightened people.
10. 8:40-48 What characteristics of the afflicted woman would be good for us to follow?
    Comments: Her faith, her courage, her fear of God.
11. 8:49-56 How complete was the recovery of the ruler’s daughter? Consider: If Jesus didn’t want anyone to know about it, why did he heal her?
    Comments: Her spirit returned. She got up immediately and needed food. One reason is because Jairus pleaded with Jesus to heal her. But it was not His time yet, so He asked the parents not to broadcast it.

Luke 5 and 6

1. 5:1-11 What was Peter’s reaction when they caught all the fish?
   Comments: He fell at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” Jesus’ response? “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” Peter became conscious of his sinfulness in the presence of a man he perceived must be God and therefore holy. Discussion: If they had not let down the nets, would they have caught any fish? Their obedience in letting down their nets demonstrated their trust in His ability to give them success in their endeavor. This is especially true if we want to be “fishers of men.”
2. 5:12-16 What instruction did Christ give to the man after He had healed him from leprosy?
   Comments: He told him to tell no one. However, according to Mark’s version (1:45),  the man “went out and proclaimed it freely.” Jesus also told him to show himself to a priest and to make an offering, according to the Law (Leviticus 14:1-4). This allowed him to regain his social standing in the community.
3. 5:17-26 How did Jesus prove to the crowd that He could forgive sins?
   Comments: This was actually a proof to the Pharisees and Scribes who had come from all over to challenge Jesus. In order to prove to them He had the power to forgive sins, He healed the paralytic.
   William Hendriksen breaks up the incident into five segments:
   1) Battle brewing (v. 17)
   2) Challenge (vv. 18-20)
   3) Attack (v. 21)
   4) Victory (vv. 22-25)
   5) Celebration (v. 26)
4. 5:27-32 Why did Jesus eat with Levi, knowing who he was and knowing He would be criticized for it? Comments: The purpose for which Christ came was to seek and save the lost. Levi (aka Matthew) had recognized his own sin. He had left all (v. 28), and he was giving his friends an opportunity to eat with his savior. Note that the Pharisees and scribes complained against the disciples. Perhaps they thought they would be vulnerable to the criticism. However, Jesus answered them. He knew who they were really criticizing.
5. 5:33-39 Why didn’t Jesus’ disciples fast? Comments: Fasting was (is) done when there’s a need, when one is mourning, or seeking to be more spiritual, or seeking an answer through prayer and fasting. When Jesus was with the disciples, they lacked nothing. When the bridegroom is with the wedding guests, it is a time of rejoicing, not mourning. William Hendriksen: “Jesus is bringing a message of faith and freedom, not fear and fasting.”
6. 6:1-11 What was Jesus’ attitude toward the Sabbath?
   Comments: He is Lord of the Sabbath. Using David’s eating of the showbread as an example, He teaches that necessity is more important than ceremonial law. Doing good is what is important. Note: Again, the Pharisees’ criticism was against the disciples, and again, Jesus answers them.
7. 6:12-16 What did Jesus do the night before He called twelve disciples to be His apostles?
   Comments: He prayed all night. No one understood Jesus like the Father did. In this example, He teaches us how important prayer is before we make important decisions.
8. 6:17-19 Out of all who came to Jesus to be healed, what percentage were healed?
   Comments: 100%. All some had to do was to touch Him. Healing power emanated from His body.
9. 6:20-26 Why would a person rejoice for being persecuted?
   Comments: Because they’re pleasing God, and they know that their reward will be much greater than their sacrifice. They have passed the testing of their faith! See also Romans 8:18 and 2 Corinthians 4:17,18.
10. 6:27-38 What is the reward for showing the proper love toward others?
    Comments: You will be children of the Most High. v. 38: “Give, and it will be given you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap.”
11. 6:39-45 What is the true measure of a man’s life?
    Comments: The fruit he bears. Know your shortcomings. Eventually, in periods of stress, your true heart will be displayed. If you “think on the things” listed in Philippians 4:8, you will not be ashamed of what is displayed.
12. 6:46-49 A person who hears the words of Christ and does them is compared to what?
    Comments: A house built on a rock. This follows naturally on verse 45. If we build our faith on what’s good, we are building on a rock which cannot be shaken. Consider: What value does “doing” have, practically speaking? Doing does not save us – the blood of Christ saves us. But doing shows our trust and strengthens our faith.

Luke 3 and 4

1. 3:1-9; 15-17 How did John the Baptist prepare the way for Christ?
   Comments:
   v. 3 He preached a baptism of repentance for remission of sins.
   v. 8 – He preached the importance of bearing fruit.
   v. 16 – He prophesied of one coming who was greater than he was, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Though the fire is one of judgment, it is also a cleansing fire, one that separates believers from unbelievers.
   From William Hendricksen’s commentary: “Making paths straight, filling valleys, bringing mountain and hills low, making rough ways smooth” refers to breaking down every barrier between people and the Messiah. John helped “smooth” the way to the Son of God.
2. 3:10-14 What advice did John give to people about their sins?
   Comments: CB Note: The question they ask, “What shall we do then?” may be more about bearing fruit than sin.
   v. 10 To the people: Share with the needy – both clothing and food
   v. 13 To the tax collectors: Don’t extort money
   v. 14 To the soldiers: Don’t intimidate or accuse false; be content with your wages.
3. 3:18-20 Why were John’s good tidings bad news to Herod?
   Comments: John rebuked him for living with his brother’s wife, Herodias. Herodias had been married to her father’s half-brother, Herod Philip. Their daughter was Salome. Then she took up with another half-uncle, Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch of Galilee.
4. 3:21-23 What was revealed at Jesus’ baptism? How old was he?
   Comments: That He was the Son of God, who was pleased with Jesus. Jesus was 30 years old at the time.
5. 3:23-38 List not more than five men from the genealogy of Christ and tell of their significance in Jewish history.
   Comments: v. 31 – David – 3rd king of Israel; v. 32 – Boaz, David’s great-grandfather by Ruth; v. 33 – Judah – The 4th son of Jacob, and the one through the Messiah would come; v. 36 – Shem – Son of Noah through whom the tribes of Israel would come. Matthew’s genealogy in Chapter 1 is Joseph’s ancestry, through David’s son Solomon. This one is Mary’s, through David’s son Nathan.
6. 4:1-13 What experience did Jesus go through immediately after His baptism? How did he deal with it?
   Comments: Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted, then he fasted for 40 days. The devil tempted him to 1) turn stones to bread; 2) worship him; 3) throw himself off the temple to prove his divinity. Jesus answered each time with a scripture: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Deuteronomy 8:3); “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve (Deuteronomy 6:13); and “You shall not tempt the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 6:16).
7. 4:14-32 How was Jesus received in the region of Galilee? In his hometown of Nazareth? In Capernaum?
   Comments: v. 15 – In Galilee, he was glorified by them all. vv. 16-30 – In Nazareth, first they marveled at his gracious words,  then they grew angry enough to throw him off a cliff,  after being compared unfavorably to Gentiles. vv. 31-37 – In Capernaum they were astonished at how he spoke with such authority.
8. 4:16-21 What did He claim for Himself in the Nazareth synagogue?
   Comments: That he was the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy in Isaiah 61:1.2.
9. 4:33-42 List some of the good works He performed in Galilee.
   Comments: vv. 33-35 – He cleansed a man with a demon; v. 38 – He healed Simon’s (Peter’s) wife’s mother. v. 40 – He healed diseases, cast out demons.
10. 4:43-44 What did Jesus consider His most important work?
    Comments: To preach the kingdom of God.

Luke 1 and 2

1. 1:1-4 Why was the book written?
   Comments: v. 4 - So that Theophilus would know the truth about the things about which he had been instructed.
   
2. 1:5-25 What was John’s mission to be, according to the angel?
   Comments: 1) To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children. [The NRSV translates “fathers” as “parents.”]
   2) To turn the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous; and
   3) To make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
   
3. 1:26-38 What were the three reactions Mary had as the angel revealed the message from God to her?
   Comments: 1) She was afraid (implied, because the angel told her not to fear);
   2) She was perplexed, or troubled;
   3) She was curious – “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
   4) She was accepting. “Let it be to me according to your word.”
   Note the difference between her question, “How can this be….” and Zechariah’s question in 1:18 – “How will I know that this is so?” He questioned the truthfulness of the question, while Mary questioned the mechanics.
   
4. 1:39-56 What does Mary’s song of praise reveal about her character?
   Comments: She was a joyful, willing servant. She was submissive, devout, and grateful for her place in history.
   
5. 1:57-80 What was John’s mission to be, according to his father?
   Comments: v. 76 – To prepare the way of the Lord;
   v. 77 – to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.
   
6. 2:1-7 Why did Joseph and Mary have to go to Bethlehem?
   Comments: To register (for paying taxes). Joseph was a descendant of David, and Bethlehem was the City of David.
   
7. 2:8-20 What did the heavenly host say to the shepherds?
   Comments: v. 10 – The angel told them not to fear, that he was bringing them good news.
   v. 14 – The heavenly host praised God, pronouncing peace among those whom God favored. The heavenly host was an army of angels – perhaps thousands.
   
8. 2:21-24 To whom was Jesus presented as a baby?
   Comments: v. 22 – To the Lord. It seems ironic, but of course that was part of the Jewish law, to present the firstborn to God (v. 23; Numbers 18:15).
   
9. 2:25-39 What was prophesied of him in Jerusalem?
   Comments: vv. 29-32 – He would be a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Israel.
   v. 34 – He was destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel, revealing the thoughts of many.
   v. 35 – A sword would pierce Mary’s soul.
   Note: This is the first reference to Christ’s suffering and death. It may also be the first reference – in the life of Jesus, anyway – that the “light” would be available to all nations, not just the Jews.
   
10. What happened in this chapter that Mary “pondered in her heart”?
    Comments: If we consider that Mary pondered all that happened, not just the thing previous (2:51 – “She pondered all these things in her heart”), we would have this list:
    1:33 – Gabriel’s pronouncement that she would bear the Son of God;
    1:44 – John’s leaping in the womb when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting;
    2:19 – What the shepherds told Mary;
    2:34, 35 – Simeon’s prophecy;
    2:51 – Jesus’ time in the temple, taking care of his Father’s interests.