TJC eLibrary Item

(Luke)

14: Sending out the Twelve, Later Galilean Ministry (Lk 9:1-50)

I. The Basics

A. Setting

The previous two lessons were about Jesus training the disciples through words and deeds. In the passage we will be studying in this lesson, the training now becomes more and more focused. He also let the disciples participate in His work while teaching them lessons on discipleship. The aim is to let the disciples truly recognize Christ’s mission and identity, as well as their own roles in the ministry.

B. Key Verse

“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said, ‘The Christ of God’” (9:20).

“And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!’” (9:35).

C. Did You Know…?

1. “Shake off the very dust from your feet” (9:5): With this symbolic gesture, the disciples would show that they had no part in the sins of those who rejected the gospel.

2. Herod the tetrarch (9:7) bore the distinctive name of Antipas. He was Herod’s younger son by Malthace, and inherited the Galilaean and Perean portions of his father’s kingdom…He was the ablest of Herod’s sons, and like his father was a great builder; the city of Tiberias on the Lake of Galilee was built by him (ad 22) and named in honor of the Emperor Tiberius. He married the daughter of the Nabataean king Aretas IV (q.v.), but divorced her in order to marry Herodias (q.v.), the wife of his half-brother Herod Philip.

3. Bethsaida (9:10) was on the northeast shore of the Sea of Galilee. Philip the tetrarch rebuilt Bethsaida and named it “julias,” after Julia,daughter of Caesar Augustus.

4. The Christ (9:20), or “the Messiah” in Hebrew, means “the Anointed One.”

II. Observation

A. Outline

(9:1-6)

(9:7-9)

(9:10-17)

(9:18-27)

(18-20)

(21-22)

(23-27)

(28-36)

(9:37-45)

(9:46-50)

B. Key Words/Phrases

III. General Analysis

1. What kind of training did the disciples receive in each of these events?

1a. Being sent out (1-6)

1b. Feeding the five thousand (11-17)

1c.The Transfiguration (28-36)

IV. Segment Analysis

A. 9:1-6

1. What was the twofold ministry that the Lord commissioned the disciples?

2. How did Jesus equip the apostles? What can we learn from this about our ministry?

3. Why do you think the apostles were instructed not to take anything for the journey?

B. 9:7-9

4. How does this paragraph relate to the context of the entire passage?

C. 9:10-17

5. Observe the interaction between Jesus and the disciples in this story. What role did Jesus want them to play?

6. What is the significance behind Jesus’ actions in verse 16?

7. Compare the five loaves of bread and two fish with the twelve baskets of leftover fragments. What can we learn here about God’s provision in our ministry?

D. 9:18-27

8a. Compare Jesus’ two questions in 18 and 20. Why did Jesus make this distinction?

8b. Do you truly know who Jesus is? Why do you follow Him?

9. What is the meaning of “the Christ of God”?

10. Why did Jesus command them not to tell anyone about His identity?

11. Explain these terms about discipleship and apply them to your walk with the Lord:

11a. “Deny himself”

11b. “Take up his cross daily”

11c. “Follow me”

11d. Saving and losing life

12a. What type of followers of Christ are ashamed of Him and His words?

12b. Have you ever been ashamed of Christ and His words? How so?