Luke 12:54-59 - Judge what is right

Luke 12:54-59 - Judge what is right

1. What various interpretations have been offered to explain the dramatic world events of the last few years?

2. What did a cloud in the west mean to Jesus' audience? (12:54)

3. What name did Jesus call the crowd? (12:56)

4. What did Jesus want His audience to do? (12:57)

5. What could be the consequences if people did not settle their differences? (12:58-59)

6. What accounted for the crowd's inability to interpret the signs of Jesus' time?

7. How does God communicate with us today?

8. When has God given you a sign that you should do something?

9. How is the "out of court" settlement better than a judge's decision?

10. What spiritual discipline can you work on to help you listen to God's Word?

11. What relationship can you work to reconcile this week?

Try writing to aid worship

Sometimes it's helpful to collect our thoughts and write them down. The leader asks the group to think over the last day or two. Then to list things for which they are thankful. Share their list with the group. Have members lead in prayer as they praise God with what they have written. Also write letters of gratitude to God; share parts of them; pray them conversationally back to God.

Creative writing can also be a help in worship. Give group members time to write a poem, song or psalm. Read them to each other as an introduction to worship.

Luke 12:49-53 - Jesus: the great divider

Luke 12:49-53 - Jesus: the great divider
1. What causes family members to turn against each other?

2. What did Jesus come to bring? (12:49)

3. How did Jesus feel about the baptism He would undergo? (12:50)

4. In what way did Jesus indicate that division would affect everyone until He returned? (12:51)

5. Where would the division that Jesus brings be noticed? (12:52-53)

6. Why did Jesus wish that the "fire . . . were already kindled"?

7. In what way did Jesus bring division?

8. How common is the view that Jesus came to bring peace on earth?

9. Over what issues are any of your relatives divided?

10. Over what issues should we be willing to divide?

11. What can you do to prepare for clashes over your beliefs?

Luke 12:35-48 - Get Ready

Luke 12:35-48 - Get Ready

1. What is it like to wait for someone without knowing when he or she is coming?

2. According to Jesus, what are the two traits of the one who is ready? (12:35)

3. What did the men in the story do when their master returned? (12:36)

4. What happened to the servants who were watching properly? (12:37)

5. How long should the servants have been willing to wait? (12:38)

6. When do important things often happen? (12:39-40)

7. How did Jesus reply to Peter's question? (12:42)

8. What distinguished the faithful and wise manager? (12:42-44)

9. How did some servants handle responsibilities in their masters' absence? (12:45)

10. What happened to the servants who acted out of ignorance? (12:48)

11. How are "watching" and "waiting" used throughout this passage?

12. Why is watchfulness not a passive activity?

13. How should we act while waiting for Jesus to return?

14. How much have we, individually and collectively, been given and entrusted with?

15. What is one area of need in your church or among other Christians that you can serve?

Luke 12:22-34 - Don't Worry

Luke 12:22-34 - Don't Worry

1. What do people you know tend to worry about?

2. Why did Jesus start talking about worry? (12:22)

3. What is more important than food or clothes? (12:23)

4. What are we to learn from birds? (12:24)

5. What does worrying accomplish? (12:25-26)

6. What do flowers teach us? (12:27-28)

7. What does worry about clothes indicate about us? (12:28)

8. On what basis are we not to worry? (12:30)

9. How did Jesus continue with the Father-child analogy? (12:32)

10. What goes with treasure in heaven? (12:34)

11. What situations bring out the worrier in you?

12. What has worrying done for you?

13. When have you seen the truth that God knows your needs and meets them?

14. What is the connection between seeking God's kingdom and the Father giving us the kingdom?

15. What step can you take this week to share your earthly treasures with others?