20: The Way of God’s Kingdom (Lk 13:1-35)
I.
The Basics
A.
Setting
In the last lesson we studied
Jesus’ teachings on preparing for times of crises. In this chapter the Lord
continued this theme by warning the people about the consequence of obstinacy.
This chapter also reminds us of Jesus’ journey toward His final destiny (22),
ending with the lament over Jerusalem.
As God’s will continues to be fulfilled through Christ, the people must make
every effort to enter God’s kingdom before the time of judgment comes upon
them.
B.
Key Verse
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for
many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (13:24).
C.
Did You Know…?
1.
The Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled (13:1):
Galileans were susceptible to revolt. Apparently, these Galileans had violated
Roman law, resulting in their bloody punishment.
2.
The tower in Siloam (13:4) was built inside the
southeast section of Jerusalem’s wall.
3.
Mustard seed (13:19): The mustard seed is not
the smallest seed known today, but it was the smallest seed used by Palestinian
farmers and gardeners, and under favorable conditions the plant could reach
some ten feet in height.
4.
Fox (13:32): Today foxes connote cleverness; in
Jesus’ day they also connoted insignificance (cf. Neh 4:3; S of Sol 2:15).
II.
Observation
A.
Outline
(13:1-9)
(1-5)
(6-9)
(13:10-17)
(13:18-21)
(13:22-30)
(13:31-35)
B.
Key Words/Phrases
III.
Segment Analysis
A.
13:1-9
1a. According to verse 2, what is
a common misconception about a person’s
misfortune?
1b. How did the Lord Jesus
correct this misconception?
2. What does bearing fruit
represent? Are you bearing fruit in your life?
3. What can we learn from the
fact that the owner gave the fruitless tree another year?
B.
13:10-17
4. How had the synagogue ruler
misunderstood God’s intended purpose for the Sabbath commandment?
5. What hypocrisy was Jesus
referring to (15)?
6. Did the Lord Jesus abolish the
Sabbath by healing on this day?
C.
13:18-21
7. What is the common
characteristic in both parables?
8. What do these parables teach
us about the kingdom of God?
D.
13:22-30
9. Why did the Lord not respond
directly to the question, “are there few who are saved?”?
10a. What does the narrow gate
represent?
10b. Why must we strife to enter
it?
11a. Why will the Lord say to
those that ate and drank with Him, “I do not know you”? What does it take for
the Lord Jesus to know us?
11b. What may eating or drinking
in Jesus’ presence mean today? Why is this not enough?
12. What lesson can we learn from
verses 28-30?
E.
13:31-35
13. Explain Jesus’ response in
32-33.
14. What does this response tell
us about Jesus?
15. What is the tone of Jesus’
words in 34-35? What does this teach us about God and His children?
