15: Going to Jerusalem (Lk 9:51-10:24)

I.       The Basics

A.     Setting

The Lord’s ministry now enters a new phase. Jesus, knowing God’s purpose and timing, set out resolutely to accomplish His mission. Much of the material in this section, also known as the great travel narrative, is unique to Luke. Although Jesus would still travel back and forth through various regions, it is clear that He was moving toward Jerusalem. In this travel narrative, the teachings of Christ will become more dominant as He expounded the truths of God’s kingdom, instructed the disciples, and warned the complacent.

B.     Key Verse

            “Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (9:51).

C.     Did You Know…?

1.      Village of the Samaritans (9:52): Samaritans were particularly hostile to Jews who were on their way to observe religious festivals in Jerusalem. It was at least a three-day journey from Galilee to Jerusalem through Samaria, and Samaritans refused overnight shelter for the pilgrims. Because of this antipathy, Jews traveling between Galilee and Jerusalem frequently went on the east side of the Jordan River.

2.      The probable site of Korazin (10:13) along with that of Bethsaida is near Capernaum, at the north end of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus concentrated his ministry.

II.    Observation

A.     Outline

(9:51-56)

(9:57-62)

(10:1-24)

(1-16)

(17-20)

(21-24)

B.     Key Words/Phrases

III. Segment Analysis

A.     9:51-56

1. Why did Jesus determine to go to Jerusalem? What can we learn from the Lord regarding our attitude toward God’s will?

2. Why did the Samaritans not welcome Jesus?

3. What was the mentality of James and John?

4. What can we learn from Jesus’ attitude toward people’s rejection?

B.     9:57-62

5. Based on each of the responses Jesus gave to the three men, explain what following Jesus involves.

5a. Verse 58

5b. Verse 60

5c. Verse 62

C.     10:1-16

6a. What was the purpose of appointing the seventy?

6b. Why did the Lord send them out two by two? What lesson can we learn from this?

7. Why must we always remind ourselves that “the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few”?

8. Observe that the Lord commanded the disciples to pray (2) and to go (3). What can we learn from this about our ministry?

9. In your life, how are you a laborer in God’s great harvest?

10. How would the disciples be “as lambs among wolves”?

11. Why must the disciples travel light (4)? Why should they not greet anyone on the road?

12. What do verses 7-8 teach us about the attitude and lifestyle of an evangelist?

D.     10:17-20

11. Why should we rejoice over our eternal life instead of rejoicing over having authority over our enemy?

E.     10:21-24

12. Who are the wise and prudent? Who are the babes?

13. What do 21 and 22 teach about divine revelation?

14. In verse 24, what did the disciples see and hear?