October 19, 2008

Bible Study, Chapter 8

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Luke 8 is kind of like a ‘pot-luck’ dinner. As you uncover each story, you’re never quite sure what you’re getting when you lift the lid! If there is a unifying theme, it seems that Jesus is beginning to build into his closest disciples what it is they need to know & be in order to become close followers of Jesus Christ. This is particularly important because the very next chapter will begin with Jesus sending his 12 disciples out on their first mission adventure on their own. Therefore, as you read this chapter, you’ll probably want to pay attention to what it is that Jesus is looking for in his followers.

Read through chapter 8 and then peruse the appropriate verses as you study each section.

Verses 1 – 3

These verses are revealing in that they give a unique picture of who was following Jesus. Pay particular attention to the financial support Jesus is receiving. Remember, it was the founding member of the ‘Herod’ dynasty that wanted to kill the infant Jesus. Each seceding member of the ‘Herod’ family will be enemies of Jesus & his people. In fact, the ‘Herod’ mentioned here will play a part in the crucifixion of Jesus. And yet, Herod’s business manager is married to a woman is a key financial supporter of Jesus. So, it seems that when God wanted to find a way to fund Jesus’ ministry, he thought, “I know, I’ll get it from Herod!”

- What insights do you gain about God & the ministry of Jesus from these verses?

- What might this mean for you in the way you live your life?

Verses 4 – 15

Probably the most effective way to learn from this parable & the explanation Jesus offers is to make a simple list of the 4 kinds of ‘seeds’ Jesus describes. Then, ask how you might experience each ‘seed’ in your life.

- Having made your ‘seed list,’ what is it you need to do, or be, to experience the blessing of the 4^th ‘seed’ in your life?

- Between the parable (verses 5-8) and Jesus’ explanation (verses 11-15), Jesus makes a somewhat troubling statement about why he teaches with parables. (See verses 9 & 10). What do you make of this statement? Why would Jesus make it difficult to understand what he’s saying?

- What might this mean for you in your pursuit of being a follower of Jesus Christ?

Verses 16 – 18

There is a very similar, and better known, ‘un-hidden lamp’ story in the book of Matthew. However, in Matthew’s story, Jesus uses the ‘un-hidden lamp’ image to suggest that your life needs to be an open book so others can see your witness for Jesus. Here, however, the image has a different meaning. In verse 17, it seems Jesus is using the ‘un-hidden lamp’ as a picture of judgment.

- What does this simple story suggest about our living?

- Why is it necessary to ‘pay attention’ (verse 18) if everything about our lives will eventually be made known?

- To what does Jesus ask us to pay attention?

- If we want to pay attention to Jesus’ teaching today, what must we do?

Verses 19 – 21

These few sentences can be difficult to understand… especially if you’re a parent and read the episode from that perspective! However, do a quick review of the 3 episodes you’ve read so far and try to write a theme sentence. Then, review verses 19-21 in light of what Jesus is teaching.

- Episode 1 (verses 1-3): What’s the main idea?

- Episode 2 (verses 4-15): What’s the main idea?

- Episode 3 (verses 16-18): What’s the main idea?

- Does it seem to you in any way that Jesus has been emphasizing that his followers have to ‘hear his Word and do it?’ Therefore, what is Jesus trying to emphasize in his statement in verse 21?

Verses 22 – 25

One key to understanding this story is to note that Jesus was able to sleep during the storm. His followers were not.

- What is it about Jesus that enables him to confidently sleep during a violent storm?

- What’s missing in the disciples that causes them to be fearful?

- There’s no guarantee, as far as I can tell, that such a storm will not be fatal. Therefore, it would seem that fear would be a natural response in such a situation. However, if Jesus is still able to experience inner calm in such a situation, what does that teach us about how he viewed death?

Verses 26 – 39

This story raises many questions that would take pages to deal with (the ‘Bottomless Pit’ and “possessed pigs” as examples). However, it will probably be most beneficial to simply examine the consequences of being influenced by evil as compared to the consequences of being influenced by Jesus.

- Make a list of the kinds of things that happen when someone (or some thing) is influenced by evil. What does it seem the agenda of evil is?

- Make a list of the kinds of things that happen when a person is influenced by Jesus. What does it seem the agenda of Jesus is?

Verses 40 – 56

Look at each of the characters in this story (Jairus, the crowds as they appear several times, the un-named woman who touched Jesus, the messenger from Jairus’ house) and spend some time dissecting the faith of each. Write a few ideas about the faith (or lack of it) for each.

- What do you learn about the nature of faith and unbelief from these various people?

- With whom do you most identify?

- Imagine that Jesus were to address you as he did Jairus in verse 50 (“Don’t be afraid. Trust me….”). What episode in our life, or what problem, would he be talking about? What would it mean for you to have faith in Jesus in this circumstance?

Summary

What are some of the big ideas you’ve learned in chapter 8?

In light of what you’ve learned, is there any God-business you need to take care of in the immediate future?