Luke 8.22-56 – New Creation Power

A storm is calmed, a demon-possessed man is set free, a woman with chronic bleeding is healed, and a dead girl is brought back to life.  This is God’s saving power being displayed in the person and work of Jesus, bringing order out of chaos and life out of death.  And the question of faith is very much in focus.  The disciples are asked to find it, the woman to uncover it, Jairus to hang on to it, and Jesus the only object of it. 
• What ‘storms’ are you currently facing in your life, or in what situations do you currently feel helpless?

• Are you able to hear today Jesus’ words, ‘don’t be afraid; just believe’?

• What might it mean for you to reach out and ‘touch’ Jesus today?

• Where in your life, in your family, our church or in this world do you want to see a release of God’s saving power?

Luke 8.1-21 – Getting It

Jesus teaches about receiving the kingdom of God and living in it.  And this extraordinary kingdom calls those who participate in it to put their life, reputation and property at its disposal.  For the followers of Jesus, nothing must be allowed to distract or divert or to get in the way of the absolute claim of God’s word on their lives.
 
• ‘Path’ or ‘rock’, ‘thorns’ or ‘good soil’ – which of these four conditions best describes your walk with God?

• Does God have absolute claim on your life?

• What gets in the way of you responding to the word of God?

• Can you think of any ways to cultivate ‘good soil’ in your life? 

Luke 7.1-50 – Miracles and Mercy

He heals the sick, raises the dead and forgives sins – this is Jesus rescuing and restoring his people.  New life is played out for all to see and respond to.  People wonder who he is.  And it doesn’t matter who you are; a wealthy Gentile soldier, a poor bereaved widow, an uninvited guest – all are welcome and invited to see that in Jesus of Nazareth the one true God, the God of Israel, the Lord of heaven and earth, is personally present and active.
 
• Who do you think Jesus is?

• Think of a moment in life you dread.  Imagine Jesus joining you in the middle of it.  In what ways is his presence reassuring?      

• How inclusive is your understanding of God’s kingdom?

• How might you respond to Jesus today?  With faith like the centurion, questions like John’s disciples (vs.18-20), or with boldness and adoration like the sinful woman? 

Luke 6.17-49 – New Life

Life – but not as we know it.  God’s people are called to live with values and engage in practices that turn the world upside-down and so the right-way-up.  The poor, the hungry, those who weep, who are hated, who give, who love exceptionally, who do not judge and forgive, they will be blessed.  And astonishingly, this is what it means for Jesus’ followers to build their lives on a solid foundation; this is what it means to live out a call to follow him.

• Can you imagine how different the world would be if we took Jesus’ words seriously?

• How many people do you know who really live like this?

• What are you currently building your life on?

• In what ways might you need to change in order to build on a more secure foundation?

Luke 5.33-6.16 – New Deal, New People

With Jesus present the old has gone and the new has come.  This is the new covenant spoken of long ago by Israel’s prophets.  This is the kingdom of God; the dawning of God’s new age.  And the people of this new age are to live new lives themselves.  Now is the time for feasting not fasting, the abundance of new wine, and a radical new life that bursts into Sabbath.  The mercy of God is alive and active.

• Are you living a radical new life?

• In what ways are you still living as if the new deal of the Gospel had never burst into your life?

• How can you celebrate this new deal today?

• In what ways do you need to ‘stretch out your hand’ to Jesus?  

Luke 5.1-32 – The Call of Jesus

Jesus draws out responses.  He wants people to leave their old securities behind and follow him.  He calls the ordinary and the excluded; fishermen, tax collectors, political zealots and lepers.  People respond - the disciples leave everything to become his followers; a leper falls at his feet; and some men dismantle a roof.  This is the first day of the rest of their lives; lives which forever would be changed.  The presence of Jesus transforms peoples’ priorities.

• ‘When Christ calls a person, he bids them come and die’ (Dietrich Bonhoeffer).  How does the call of Jesus make you feel?

• What does it mean for you to follow Jesus today?

• Is there anything you need to leave behind?

• What does it mean for you not to centre your world on your career or your brokenness?

Luke 4.31-44 – Powerful Words, Mighty Deeds

Demons and sickness are rebuked.  Exorcisms and healings take place.  The simple words of Jesus carry extraordinary authority and power.  They are part of the proclamation of the coming kingdom of God; the result of Jesus having been anointed by the Holy Spirit to do exactly what he said he had come to do at Nazareth – to release the oppressed, to give sight to the blind, and to set the prisoners free.

• Is there room in your understanding of the kingdom of God for remarkable healings and exorcisms?

• Do you believe in demons?

• Do you think you could rebuke a demon or a fever?

• What do you think these episodes tell us about Jesus?