Session 5: Luke Chapters 9-10 Caring for His Disciples (Part 1)

This 12-session study looks at the heart of Jesus for all people, as seen in the book of Luke. It is in Luke’s gospel that we see the breadth of Jesus’ ministry to reach all people, to bring all into his arms and show them his heart for them personally. Since Christ and the Father are one (John 10:30), Luke provides the opportunity to see for ourselves how God interacts with his beloved, how he showers his beloved with goodness and mercy all of our days (Ps 23:6). And the good news is that you are his beloved! He delights in you (Zeph 3:17)!

This post is the first part of session four of the study, with each session opening with warm-up introductory questions, going on to a reading from Luke and questions related to the passage. Then the study goes to the comparative or referenced Old Testament passages found in the assigned reading with accompanying questions. Each study session ends with considerations for personal application. The study is appropriate for individual or small group application. Feel free to share the response to an application question or just comment on the study itself below.

Session 5: Luke Chapters 9-10 Caring for His Disciples, Part 1

Introduction

How do you define ‘disciple’? Has the definition changed from Jesus’ time to today?

Share activities that you do to recharge. How often do you do them?

The reading today opens with Jesus sending out his disciples with all authority and power. By their faith in Jesus as the Messiah and love of God they drove out demons, healed the sick and proclaimed the kingdom of God. Yet upon their return to tell him all the things they had done, they had no idea how to feed over 5,000 people. Given all authority and power, they didn’t know the power vested in them. Jesus was still instructing them even while they were acting on his behalf. How often we have also thought that we were not ready to take some duty, but Jesus teaches along the road, not just in preparation.

Read Luke Chapters 9 and 10.

Questions

By sending out his disciples without provisions, what position did that put them in? What did Jesus do when they returned (9:10)?

How did the disciples demonstrate ‘earthly thinking’ over ‘heavenly thinking’ in the feeding of the 5,000?

What other lessons did Jesus impart to the disciples after they were unable to solve the feeding problem? (chapter 9:37-43; chapter 10:18-20, 38-42)

Peter declared Jesus as Messiah then Jesus went on to say that he would suffer many things. Why would he choose this time to explain what he would suffer?

Twice in chapter 9 Jesus describes the cost or challenge of following him, verses 23-26 and 57-62. What is the cross he refers to (v. 23)? What three points does he make to those who want to follow him in verses 57-62?

What was Jesus talking to Elijah and Moses about on the mount? How long were Jesus, Peter, John and James on the mount?

What are at least two characteristics that Jesus described, and his followers should show, in the Parable of the Good Samaritan? Who are our neighbors?