10: Middle Galilean Ministry (1) (Lk 6:12-49)

I.       The Basics

A.     Setting

This section marks Jesus’ first extended teaching, also known as the Sermon on the Plain (see 6:17). This may be the same as the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, except that Matthew and Luke selected and presented different parts of the sermon. As a prelude to the sermon, Luke sets the stage with the account of choosing the Twelve and healing the great multitude. Typical of Luke’s emphasis on prayer, he did not fail to first note that Jesus continued all night in prayer to God before all these events.

B.     Key Verse

            “And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all” (6:19).

            “Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful” (6:36).

            “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” (6:46).

II.    Observation

A.     Outline

(6:12-16)

(6:17-49)

(17-19)

(20-23)

(24-26)

(27-36)

(37-42)

(43-45)

(46-49)

B.     Key Words/Phrases

III. Segment Analysis

A.     6:12-16

1. Although the passage does not state the purpose of Jesus’ prayer, looking at the whole context, what are some possible reasons that He “went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God”?

2a. Go through the names of the apostles and see how much you know about each of them.

2b. Why is it remarkable that Matthew and Simon the Zealot became members of this select group?

3. Why do you think Jesus chose a group of apostles out of all his disciples?

B.     6:17-19

4. Why did the great multitude come to Jesus?

5. What is emphasized here about Jesus’ healing?

6. Who were the primary audience of Jesus’ sermon? Who were the larger audience?

C.     6:20-26

7. How does Jesus’ message on blessings and woes compare with popular values?

8a. Who are the poor, the hungry, and those who weep?

8b. Explain how such people are blessed (Take note of the varying tenses in 20 and 21).

8c. Who are the rich and those who are full?

9. According to 22-23 and 26, what is the difference between a true believer and a false believer?

D.     6:27-36

10. How do the teachings in this paragraph relate to the previous paragraph?

11. According to these teachings, how does Christian love transcend the love in this world?

12. Do you find it difficult to love your enemy? What principle has the Lord offered here that can help you overcome this difficulty?

E.     6:37-42

13. How does the command to give (38) relate to verse 37 and the previous paragraph?

14. On what governing principle are the commands in 37 and 38 based?

15. What is the point of the parable in 39-40?

16a. What makes a person judgmental?

16b. Have you been critical of someone lately? Based on what you have learned in this paragraph, state in your own words why you should no longer pass judgment on this person.

17. Think of ways that can help us see the plank in our own eyes.

F.      6:43-45

18. What do the fruit and the tree refer to?

19. How does the parable of the tree and its fruit relate to the teachings in 37-42?

20. What kind of fruit are you bearing?

G.    6:46-49

21. When you call Jesus “Lord,” what does it mean to you?

22a. Based on your own experience, how is putting the Lord’s words into practice like laying a solid foundation?

22b. On the contrary, why would a person fall under trials if he does not put Christ’s words into practice?

23. The house without a foundation may look identical to the house on the rock, and it takes much less effort to build. What lesson can you learn from this analogy?

24. Where are you building your house today?