BIBLE DISCUSSION GROUP STUDY QUESTIONS

In preparation for Sunday, July 20, 2008                                                                                                          Passage: Luke 10:25-37

Memory Passage: Galatians 6:10

TODAY: From your study this past week, what is one thing that impressed you that can be of help in your life?

DAY 1 – ASK FOR INSIGHT                                                                                           READ THE PASSAGE

(a)     Read Luke 10:25-28.   Who stood up to ask Jesus a question?  Why was he asking this (also Matthew 22:35)? 

(b)     What was a common characteristic of these lawyers (Luke 11:46)?  Are we sometimes like this?

(c)     What important question does he ask?  What is strange about the answer Jesus gives? 

(d)     What does the law tell us all (Romans 3:19; 3:23)?  Was it possible for a man to be saved by keeping the law (Galatians 2:21)?  Why not (Galatians 3:10-12)? 

(e)     Family: Read Luke 10:25-28 and Galatians 2:21.  Can a person get to heaven by being good to others?  What is required for eternal life?  Who can do this?  Why do we need a savior?  Spend some time praising God for giving us a savior like Jesus.

DAY 2 – ASK FOR INSIGHT                                                                                           READ THE PASSAGE

(a)     Read Luke 10:25-28 again.  What did the lawyer answer Jesus?  How is this a correct answer? 

(b)     Think about the requirement: do you know anyone who loves God with all his mind, soul, heart and strength?  Do you know anyone who always loves his neighbor as himself?  What was Jesus showing him?  

(c)     Read Mark 12:28-34.  Here Jesus gives a similar explanation to a different question.  What was the question?  What does Jesus add to the obvious answer (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18)? 

(d)     To what does this scribe compare loving God and our neighbor (Mark 12:33)?  What does God desire from us (Matthew 9:13; Matthew 12:7)?  How does Paul speak about this in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3? 

(e)     What is the connection between loving God and loving others (1 John 3:16-19; 1 John 4:20-21)? 

(f)      Family: Read Luke 10:25-28 and 1 John 4:20-21.  Talk about the importance of loving others as believers.  Why is it easier to love others when we are in a right relationship with God?  Can we do this perfectly?  Pray about how you can show God’s love to someone specifically this week. 

DAY 3 – ASK FOR INSIGHT                                                                                           READ THE PASSAGE

(a)     Read Luke 10:29-35.  Re-tell the parable in your own words.  Who are the major characters in the parable?  What would be the surprising (maybe even upsetting!) element to Jewish listeners? 

(b)     What question had the lawyers asked Jesus?  Why did he ask this?  Have you ever had a situation when someone did this when you gave them an answer to their question when you were sharing the gospel? 

(c)     Who were the first two that found the man?  Why might they have avoided him (Leviticus 21:1-4)?  What other reasons might they have had?  Put yourself in their situation.  What reasons might you have for passing by? 

(d)     Read James 4:17.  What does James tell us is sin?  How does this apply to loving our neighbors?  How does this apply to loving those within the church (Galatians 6:10)? 

(e)     Family: Read Luke 10:29-35 and Galatians 6:10.  What excuses have you heard for not helping others in need?  Are any of these legitimate (e.g. 2 Thessalonians 3:10)?  Talk together about how you can help a specific person in need this week.  Pray that you can show this person God’s love by your actions.

DAY 4 – ASK FOR INSIGHT                                                                                           READ THE PASSAGE

(a)     Read Luke 10:29-35 again.   Who does stop to help the man?  What is surprising about this (John 4:9)? 

(b)     What does he do for the man?  What motivated him (Luke 10:33)?  Compare this to why Jesus often responded to people in times of need (Luke 7:13; Mark 8:2; Matthew 9:36; Matthew 14:14; Matthew 15:32; Matthew 20:34)? 

(c)     What shows that his love goes beyond the minimum and that he really cared?  How is this an expression of the kind of love Jesus called for in Matthew 7:12 (Romans 13:8-10)? 

(d)     How is the love of God toward us in salvation like the love of this Samaritan (Romans 5:6-8)? 

(e)     Family: Read Luke 10:29-35 and Romans 5:6-8.  Who are we supposed to love?  How did God demonstrate that kind of love to us?  How does the Samaritan love in this way?  Pray that your heart might be filled with God’s love toward others.

DAY 5 – ASK FOR INSIGHT                                                                                           READ THE PASSAGE

(a)     Read Luke 10:36-37.  What was the lawyer’s question at the beginning?  How did Jesus turn that question around?  How would you re-phrase that question for us today? 

(b)     What impact will loving others have on us (Proverbs 14:21; 14:31; Proverbs 11:25; Proverbs 19:17; Psalm 41:1-2; John 13:7; Luke 6:32-36)? 

(c)     Also read Isaiah 58:7-12 and note the promises God gives to those who care for others.

(d)     What impact will it have on others (John 13:34-35)?  If we don’t actively love others, what does that say about us (Matthew 5:43-48)? 

(e)     Family: Read Luke 10:36-37 and John 13:34-35 and talk about the impact our love can have on others.  Pray for someone who is not a believer that they might see the wonderful love of Jesus even in your own life.

DAY 6 – ASK FOR INSIGHT                                                                                           READ THE PASSAGE

Think back through what you have learned each day this week.  Read Luke 10:25-37.  What does the law require of us if we wish to inherit eternal life?  How can we ever do this?  What did Jesus do to provide eternal life for us?  Think about the people you came in contact with last week.  Did you display the love of Christ to them in some way?  Pray for tomorrow’s services that the love of the Lord might be clear and that the gospel might be presented. 

DATE: July 20, 2008                                                                                                                             PASSAGE: Luke 10:25-37

Caring for Others

“Let us do good to all men, especially to the household of faith.”

BIBLE DISCUSSION GROUP STUDY QUESTIONS

In preparation for Sunday, July 27, 2008                                                                                                             Passage: Luke 10:38-42

Memory Passage: Philippians 3:10

TODAY: From your study this past week, what is one thing that impressed you that can be of help in your life?

DAY 1 – ASK FOR INSIGHT                                                                                         READ THE PASSAGE

(a)     Read Luke 10:38-42.   What do we learn about Martha and Mary in John 11:1-5? 

(b)     What was Martha doing that is important in the Christian life (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9-10)? 

(c)     Read John 11:21-27.  What profession does Martha make?  What does this tell us about her faith? 

(d)     What was wrong with what Martha was doing?  What is one danger of serving?  What effects did serving have on her (Luke 10:40-41)?  How did she respond to Jesus?  How did she view others? 

(e)     Family: Read Luke 10:38-42 and 1 Peter 4:9-10.  Talk about the differences between Mary and Martha.  What is good about each?  What was Martha’s strong point?  What had Jesus already told the disciples about serving (Mark 10:43-44)?  How did her service affect her relationship to God and others?  Pray that you might serve the Lord with all your heart.

DAY 2 – ASK FOR INSIGHT                                                                                         READ THE PASSAGE

(a)     Read Psalm 100.  How are God’s people supposed to serve Him?  Was Martha doing that?  How is our attitude  important when we are serving the Lord?  What are some things we can do to help us keep a right attitude in service? 

(b)     Read Luke 8:14.  What kept the Word (the seed) from bearing much fruit?  What did Jesus say about Martha’s cares? 

(c)     How was Martha different from Mary?  Are believers supposed to have the same interests and abilities (Romans 12:3-8)? 

(d)     What are all the saints supposed to do, even if it is not their area of giftedness (Romans 12:9-13)?  Are prayer and hospitality the responsibility of all believers or just some? 

(e)     Family: Read Psalm 100 together.  What happens when we serve with the wrong attitude?  How does remembering whose we are help us to serve properly?  Pray for a right heart to serve the Lord in every thing you do this week. 

DAY 3 – ASK FOR INSIGHT                                                                                         READ THE PASSAGE

(a)     Read Luke 10:38-42 again.  What do we learn here about Mary?  Is there anything unusual about what she is doing? 

(b)     What was Jesus commending her for (Luke 10:39; Proverbs 8:34; Acts 17:11)?  Why does he say that it will never be taken away from her? 

(c)     Why is this an essential part of spending time with the Lord (John 8:31-32; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Psalm 119:98-100)? 

(d)     What are some benefits of hearing from God in His Word every day (Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:9-11; Psalm 37:31)? 

(e)     Family: Read Luke 10:38-42 and John 8:31-32.  Why is God’s Word so important for having a daily walk with Him?  What are the dangers of trying to develop a relationship with God apart from His Word?  What would be the value of reading God’s Word first every morning?  Spend some time thanking God for giving us His Word.

DAY 4 – ASK FOR INSIGHT                                                                                         READ THE PASSAGE

(a)     Read Luke 10:38-42 again.  What else does sitting at his feet imply?  Is it just learning or something more?  What are some reasons that this must be a priority for our lives (John 15:5; John 15:7-8; John 14:23; John 16:23-24; James 4:2-3)? 

(b)     What is the difference between something that is useful and needful?  Was Martha doing something useful? 

(c)     Read Psalm 73:25-26.  What attitude did the psalmist have toward God?  What did David say in Psalm 37:3-4? 

(d)     What was David’s attitude toward his relationship with the Lord (Psalm 42:1; Psalm 63:1; Psalm 84:2)? 

(e)     When did David say he sought the Lord regularly (Psalm 63:1; Psalm 5:3; Psalm 88:13)?  What pattern can be seen in the life of Jesus (Mark 1:35)?  Is it required that we do this in the morning?  What are the advantages?  What does it say about our priorities (Genesis 22:3)? 

(f)      Family: Read Luke 10:38-42 and Psalm 42:1.  Why is a daily time with the Lord important?  What should be our desire when we meet with the Lord?  Talk about your struggles in having a quiet time.  Pray that each of you would make your time with the Lord your priority. 

DAY 5 – ASK FOR INSIGHT                                                                                         READ THE PASSAGE

(a)     Read John 12:1-8.  What else do we learn about Mary and her love for Jesus from this passage? 

(b)     Read Psalm 27.  What was the one thing that David desired more than anything else? 

(c)     What one thing did Paul say that he did in Philippians 3:13-15? 

(d)     Read Philippians 3:10-12.  What did Paul say that he wanted more than anything else?  What did Jesus say was eternal life in John17:3?  What does this mean about the essence of being a Christian? 

(e)     Family: Read John 12:1-8 and Philippians 3:10-15.  What things are important to you?  What is the most important?  How do you show that it is important?  How does your relationship with the Lord rank in your priorities?  Pray for someone who has never come to know Jesus as savior.

DAY 6 – ASK FOR INSIGHT                                                                                         READ THE PASSAGE

Think back through what you have learned each day this week.  Read Luke 10:38-42.  What are some of the important things we need to do to follow Jesus with all our hearts?  What was Martha doing?  What was Mary doing?  How did Martha’s approach affect the way she felt toward the Lord and others?  What did Jesus say about Mary’s desires?  Pray that we all might realize the importance of having fellowship with Jesus, even in our times of worship together.

DATE: July 27, 2008                                                                                                                             PASSAGE: Luke 10:38-42

One Thing Is Needful

“that I might know Him and the power of his resurrection...”