Good evening.  Tonight, we are going to continue our look at the book of Luke.  Before we do that, allow me to begin us with a word of prayer.  Let’s Pray!

Let’s just go ahead and jump right into chapter 14.  Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that for us please.  (READ 14:1-14)

What is it that Jesus does to heal the man and trap the Pharisees?

What does their silence mean after Jesus asks them His question?

How does Jesus’ view of honor differ from the opinion of others?

What does this passage teach you about kingdom values as opposed to social values?

Does anyone have anything else to add before we move on?

Well, if there is nothing else, we will go ahead and take a look at the next section.  This chapter began with Jesus eating at the home of a Pharisee. The mention of the resurrection in verse 14 lead one of the dinner guests to express the common Jewish sentiment found in verse 15.  Then, Jesus uses this common feeling to force His listeners to consider how they have actually responded to God’s call.  Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that.  (READ 14:15-24)

Why did the invited guests refuse to come?

What excuses did the invited guests give?

How valid were these excuses?  (See Quest: Why were these lame excuses?)

How would you react if you planned a big banquet, and at the last minute everyone back out on coming?

What do you think this great banquet represents?

How would you have reacted had you been one of the poor or lame people invited?

From your experience, what are some of the excuses that people give today for avoiding God?

Now, does anyone have anything to add?

Well, if that is all, we will go ahead and finish chapter 14.  In this last section, we are reading about the cost of being a disciple.  Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that.  (READ 14:25-35)

What does Jesus mean in verse 26 when He says “hate”?

What is the idea behind the salt analogy?

Based on this passage, what price must a person be willing to pay as a disciple?

At this time, allow me to share with you what the commentary had to say.  It says, (READ COMMENTARY)

Now, before we move on, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?

Well, if there is nothing else, we will begin chapter 15.  In chapter 15, we have a short chapter about things that are lost.  Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that passage for us.  (READ 15:1-10)

Who is it that is in Jesus’ audience?

How does Jesus’ parable about the lost sheep relate to the muttering of the Pharisees?

What is Jesus’ point in verse 7?

How do you picture the woman searching for her lost money?

How do these stories make you feel about your value to God?

Does anyone have anything else that they would like to add?

Well, if there is nothing else, we will go ahead and take a look at the last section to this chapter.  To answer some of his critics who thought that Jesus was running around with the wrong people, Jesus told this parable about a wayward son who rebelled and squandered his inheritance and a father who threw a party for that son when he came home.  Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that.  (READ 15:11-32)

What do you think caused the younger brother to want to leave home?

If you had been the father, would you have given him his inheritance?

What was it that caused the younger son to come to his senses?

Do you thin the father was wise in throwing a party when he returned?

How do you think the older son felt when he heard about the party?

What prevented the older son form attending the party?

What is the lesson in this parable for you?

At this time, allow me to read for you what the commentary had to say about chapter 15.  It says, (READ COMMENTARY)

Now, before we move on, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?

Well, if there is nothing else, we will take a look at our next chapter this evening.  Jesus talked a lot about responsible use of money and material possessions.  In this passage, Jesus is calling us to invest our lives in service to Him.  Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that.  (READ 16:1-15)

In what crisis does the manager find himself in?

What plan does he come up with?

How does Jesus summarize this parable in verse 9?

What is the problem with trying to serve 2 masters?

Does anyone have anything to add?

Well, if there is nothing else, I will go ahead and read this next little section.  In verses 16-18, we find some additional teachings.  (READ 16:16-18)

How has the coming of the kingdom affected the law?

To clarify this passage, what question would you ask Jesus?

Does anyone have anything to add to this passage?

Well, if there is nothing else, we will go ahead and move on and finish this chapter.  In this last passage, we are reading about the rich man and Lazarus.  Whoever has the last key, go ahead and read that for us please.  (READ 16:19-31)

Luke again returns to the subject of wealth.  The Lazarus mentioned here is not the same Lazarus that Jesus raised from the dead.

How do the lives of the rich man and Lazarus compare on earth?

How do they compare after death?

Why is it so difficult for people to be convinced of God’s ways?

How does verse 31 speak to people today?

Since a lack of knowledge is not the brother’s problem, what is?

What does this story teach you about human nature?

At this time, allow me to read for you what the commentary had to say about chapter 16.  It says, (READ COMMENTARY)

Now, before we close this evening, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?

Well, if there is nothing else, for next time, we will be looking at chapters 17 and 18.

Announcements/Prayer Concerns                                                           Closing Prayer!