What Reasons Did Luke Give For Jesus Silencing The Demons?
In Nazareth, Jesus defined His mission by claiming that God was fulfilling the words of Isaiah :61:1-2 through Jesus’ healing, liberating actions. There He met rejection and anger. In Capernaum, on the other hand, the townspeople wanted Him to stay there and be their local healer. Yet Jesus followed steadfastly a course that He and God chose. He did not allow either human popularity or rejection to govern His actions. Jesus healed many people and they were struck with awe and wonder. His acts bore powerful witness to God’s forgiveness and love, as well as God’s power. And he still reaches out to the sick today, in spirit, soul and body.
Introductory Discussion
So when your favourite sports team plays a game, what life lessons can be learned …show more content…
Read Luke 4:14-44. What were the people thinking when they said, “This is Joseph’s son, isn’t it?” What was it that made them angry (verse 28)? Why did Jesus address both physical and spiritual issues? What reason did Luke give for Jesus silencing the demons? What made it important, in verse 42, for Jesus to go to “a deserted place”? What drawbacks does constant attention seem to have? When do you need “alone time”? How important is it? How do you carve out that time?
2. Read Luke 5:1-32. Healing often involves the physical, emotional and spiritual. Did Jesus involve himself in all three areas of healing? In Christ’s time (and today), did many people view illness as merely physical? When Christ healed someone’s physical ailments, do you think that healing was limited to the physical? Jesus was often followed by people whose intent was to criticize. What was their motive? Are ministers, teachers and doctors immune from this kind of criticism? Why do some people seem intent to criticize others regardless of the good works being …show more content…
Read Luke 7:36-8:21. Human eyes can’t always tell where seeds will find the most fertile ground in which to grow. Jesus was describing the “human soil” in which the seeds of the “good news” would land. Among the four kinds of soil Jesus described, which kind best characterized the Pharisee? Which characterized the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet? What can we do to ensure that our own “soil” is rich and productive? Was Jesus also teaching that he sowed his seeds of love and grace everywhere in the world? What does this mean to you?
Closing Discussion
Read Luke 5:33-6:16.By using parables, Jesus was introducing new ways of thinking that would burst old cultural norms. Do we have cultural norms today that need to be re-thought? Is South Africa a single-culture society? Is our church a single-culture church? How can a mixture of cultures be a positive? Has God transformed you from old ways of living to new ways? Jesus chose his apostles only after an entire night of prayer. Is prayer important to you when you face significant decisions? Why?
Prayer Focus
Spend some time in prayer this week as you carefully consider all the helpless, sick and differently challenged people of the world. Offer prayers for them to find relief and healing. Pray also for their emotional and spiritual peace. If possible, try to visit any of these people you personally
Introductory Discussion
So when your favourite sports team plays a game, what life lessons can be learned …show more content…
Read Luke 4:14-44. What were the people thinking when they said, “This is Joseph’s son, isn’t it?” What was it that made them angry (verse 28)? Why did Jesus address both physical and spiritual issues? What reason did Luke give for Jesus silencing the demons? What made it important, in verse 42, for Jesus to go to “a deserted place”? What drawbacks does constant attention seem to have? When do you need “alone time”? How important is it? How do you carve out that time?
2. Read Luke 5:1-32. Healing often involves the physical, emotional and spiritual. Did Jesus involve himself in all three areas of healing? In Christ’s time (and today), did many people view illness as merely physical? When Christ healed someone’s physical ailments, do you think that healing was limited to the physical? Jesus was often followed by people whose intent was to criticize. What was their motive? Are ministers, teachers and doctors immune from this kind of criticism? Why do some people seem intent to criticize others regardless of the good works being …show more content…
Read Luke 7:36-8:21. Human eyes can’t always tell where seeds will find the most fertile ground in which to grow. Jesus was describing the “human soil” in which the seeds of the “good news” would land. Among the four kinds of soil Jesus described, which kind best characterized the Pharisee? Which characterized the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet? What can we do to ensure that our own “soil” is rich and productive? Was Jesus also teaching that he sowed his seeds of love and grace everywhere in the world? What does this mean to you?
Closing Discussion
Read Luke 5:33-6:16.By using parables, Jesus was introducing new ways of thinking that would burst old cultural norms. Do we have cultural norms today that need to be re-thought? Is South Africa a single-culture society? Is our church a single-culture church? How can a mixture of cultures be a positive? Has God transformed you from old ways of living to new ways? Jesus chose his apostles only after an entire night of prayer. Is prayer important to you when you face significant decisions? Why?
Prayer Focus
Spend some time in prayer this week as you carefully consider all the helpless, sick and differently challenged people of the world. Offer prayers for them to find relief and healing. Pray also for their emotional and spiritual peace. If possible, try to visit any of these people you personally