Bible Study – Luke 15.1-10
Context
Let’s begin today’s study by looking back into chapters 13 and 14.
13.31-33 The Pharisees, threatened by J’s growing popularity and his challenge to the status quo, try to scare him away. He refuses to be diverted from his mission, even though he is sure that he will be killed in Jerusalem.
13.34-35 Notice the compassion and commitment of Jesus to Jerusalem.
QUESTION 1: What does Jerusalem represent here? How should we understand Jesus’ words in verses 34-35?
14.1-6 Luke then records an incident which took place at the house of a Pharisee ‘one Sabbath’
QUESTION 2: What signs are there of growing tension between Jesus and the Pharisees? What difference of attitude is at the root of this tension?
14.7-24 Jesus’ observations at the meal further increase the tension. When one of the Pharisees seeks reassurance (15), Jesus tells the parable of the Great Banquet, predicting a surprising reversal in fortunes.
14.25-35 Jesus speaks of the cost and the challenges of discipleship, emphasizing the importance of ‘salt’ remaining salty and ending with the challenge ‘Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.’
QUESTION 3: Why might the Pharisees be offended by what Jesus said about salt?
Now read Luke 15.1-3
QUESTION 4: What would a crowd of ‘tax collectors and sinners’ normally expect to hear from a religious leader in New Testament times? What about today? Why is the teaching of Jesus so different?
QUESTION 5: Could the Pharisees’ complaint about Jesus ‘This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them’ equally be said of you or of the Church you attend? Or why not?
Now let’s read the first parable, 15.4-7
QUESTION 6: What is the main point of this parable? How does it fit into the story of the growing conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees (compare 14.5-6)?
QUESTION 7: Should we draw any conclusions from the treatment of the 99 in this parable?
QUESTION 8: In what ways are our attitudes and priorities challenged by Jesus here? How are we going to respond?
Jesus continues with another parable, 15.8-10
QUESTION 9: What new perspective does this parable add?
QUESTION 10: How would you respond if you were challenged in the way Jesus challenged the Pharisees through these parables? What would help us to respond in the way God wants us to?
Further reading
The rest of Luke 15 is taken up by the parable of the lost son, which could also be called the parable of the Father’s love. This deserves a separate study, but it may be good to end today’s session by reading it slowly and prayerfully.
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Ref Q.7. The 99 were left and trusted not to go astray.Today, in an increasingly secular society, begs the question as to how many of the 99 remain faithful to the Shepherd, and how many have been lost,how many have deliberately left the flock, for example as the Prodigal Son. There then follows your Q 10 or put another way what do those that are left of the 99 and the Shepherd Himself and their temporal leader the Church to do? Nothing as the prodigal son's father , trusting in their return as he did with his son,or do we go out and follow the Shepherd? Results? Seeing the in-flow of newcomers, especially young people and young families into St George's, you and Billie and yr Counccil seem to have found an answer. Can we have a guide-line!!!
ReplyDeleteMichael, you are a great encourager, but we certainly haven't got all the answers. My hunch is that prayer needs to move higher up our agenda if we are to become more effective junior shepherds...
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrew, a new perspective on a familiar story, very thought provoking. Q7 has always left me baffled!
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