Luke 24:36-49 - Jesus Appears to the Disciples

    Luke 24:36-49 - Jesus Appears to the Disciples

     1. When have you ever been really surprised?

     2. How did Jesus approach the disciples? (24:36)

     3. How did Jesus try to calm and reassure the disciples? (24:38-39)

     4. How did the disciples react to the evidence and convincing words of Jesus? (24:41)

     5. What emotions did the disciples display? (24:41)

     6. When did the disciples finally understand the Scriptures? (24:44-45)

     7. What did Jesus explain would be the result of His resurrection? (24:47)

     8. What instructions did Jesus give to His disciples? (24:48)

     9. What was the "power from on high" to which Jesus referred? (24:48)

     10. Why did Jesus consider it important to teach the disciples from the Old Testament?

     11. What does this passage teach us about God's role in our understanding of the gospel?

     12. What causes us to disbelieve the Scriptures?

     13. What proof did you need to be convinced of the truth of the gospel?

     14. What responsibility do we have to share our faith with others?

     15. How can you become a more regular student of the Scriptures?

     16. What could you do this week to settle the doubts about salvation that your non-Christian friends have?

Luke 24:1-12 - The Resurrection

Luke 24:1-12 - The Resurrection

     1. When was a time you told a true story that other people found hard to believe?

     2. What did the women find once they arrived at the tomb? (24:2)

     3. What happened while the women were wondering what had happened to Jesus' body? (24:4)

     4. How did the women respond to the angels? (24:5)

     5. What did the angels tell the women about Jesus? (24:5-7)

     6. What did the women do after the men had told them that Jesus had risen from the dead as He had predicted? (24:9)

     7. Why did the apostles not believe the women? (24:11)

     8. How did Peter respond to the sight of the empty tomb? (24:12)

     9. Why is Jesus' resurrection central to the Christian faith?

     10. Why did the disciples express disbelief even though Jesus had told them clearly that He would rise from the dead?

     11. What does this passage teach us about witnessing and evangelism?

     12. How does this story encourage you to share your faith with others?

     13. What should you do if others reject you or your testimony when you share your faith?

     14. How can you reaffirm your faith in God's promises this week?

     15. How can you prepare yourself for your next encounter with someone who criticizes you or does not accept your testimony?

Luke 23:26-43 - The Crucifixion

Luke 23:26-43 - The Crucifixion

     1. When have you had to endure teasing or abuse?

     2. Why did the soldiers seize Simon of Cyrene? (23:26)

     3. Why did such a large crowd gather? (23:27)

     4. How did Jesus treat the women mourning for Him? (23:28-31)

     5. What did Jesus mean when He said, "If men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" (23:31)

     6. What do Jesus' words on the cross reveal about His character? (23:34)

     7. How was Jesus treated by others while He was hanging on the cross? (23:35-39)

     8. What did the first criminal demand of Jesus? (23:39)

     9. What request did the second criminal on the cross make of Jesus? (23:42)

     10. How did Jesus respond to the criminal's plea? (23:43)

     11. What can you learn from the actions of the repentant criminal?

     12. What prevents many people from turning to Jesus?

     13. In what way are we all like the criminals on the cross?

     14. What do we need to approach Jesus for?

     15. What does this passage teach you about forgiveness?

     16. Why did Jesus choose not to save Himself from His suffering on the cross?

     17. Could you say thank you to Jesus this week for His gift of salvation?

     18. How can you place a new area of your life in Christ's hands?

Luke 18:35-43 - A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight

Luke 18:35-43 - A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight

     1. In what circumstances does the criticism of others not matter to you?

     2. How did the blind man know that something unusual was happening? (18:36)

     3. How did the blind man know who Jesus was? (18:37-38)

     4. How did the blind man respond to the situation? (18:38)

     5. What did the blind man do in response to the criticism of the crowd? (18:39)

     6. How did Jesus respond to the blind man? (18:40)

     7. Why did Jesus heal the blind man? (18:42)

     8. What role did the blind man's faith play in his healing? (18:42)

     9. How did the blind man and the crowds respond to the miracle Jesus performed? (18:43)

     10. What can we learn from this passage about persistence in prayer?

     11. What can we learn from the blind man in this account?

     12. How is faith involved in Jesus' miracles?

     13. How should you respond to group pressure?

     14. In what way do we all need healing from the Lord?

     15. Why do you think God heals some people and not others?

     16. What can you do this week to respond more appropriately to the criticism of others?

     17. What steps can you take to be persistent in your prayers this week?

Luke 18:18-30 - The Rich Ruler

Luke 18:18-30 - The Rich Ruler

     1. What is the best example of "materialism" that you can think of?

     2. What does the wording of the ruler's question reveal about his attitude? (18:18)

     3. How did Jesus respond to the ruler's question? (18:19)

     4. What does the ruler's response to Jesus reveal about his character? (18:21)

     5. What did the ruler lack? (18:22)

     6. How did the ruler respond to Jesus' instructions? (18:23)

     7. What was the rich man's problem? (18:24-25)

     8. What did Jesus reveal about how a person can inherit eternal life? (18:27)

     9. What did Jesus teach about sacrifice? (18:29-30)

     10. What prevents people today from following Christ?

     11. How did the rich man's money hurt him?

     12. How do you need to change your attitude toward money or your financial practices?

     13. What specific sacrifice do you think Jesus would ask of you if you asked Him, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"

     14. What rewards could someone who left home for the kingdom of God expect?

     15. What is one sacrifice God is calling you to make?

Luke 18:9-14 - The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Luke 18:9-14 - The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

     1. How does it feel to be in the presence of someone markedly better than you at what you do best?

     2. How does our society regard the quality of humility?

     3. Why did Jesus tell this parable? (18:9)

     4. What did the Pharisee do? (18:11)

     5. What motivated the Pharisee to pray? (18:11)

     6. How did the Pharisee pray? (18:11-12)

     7. Why did the tax collector stand at a distance? (18:13)

     8. How did the tax collector pray? (18:13)

     9. What difference did it make how these men prayed? (18:14)

     10. What principle did Jesus stress? (18:14)

     11. What reputations did Pharisees and tax collectors have in Bible times?

     12. Who would be examples of "Pharisees" and "tax collectors" in our society today?

     13. How do we judge people according to outward appearances?

     14. How do you approach God in your prayers?

     15. What does this parable teach us about our prayer habits?

     16. In whose righteousness should we have confidence?

     17. Why does God honor the prayers of a humble person?

     18. In what area of your life do you want to combat a tendency to exalt yourself instead of Christ?