21: The Way of God’s Kingdom (2) (Lk 14:1-35)

I.       The Basics

A.     Setting

The setting of the first part of this chapter was the house of a prominent Pharisee who invited Jesus for a meal on the Sabbath. The Lord made use of the occasion and the theme of banquets  to teach the people truths of God’s kingdom. In the second half of the chapter, which took place while the multitudes traveled with Jesus, the Lord turned His attention to those who wanted to be followers of Christ and taught them what true discipleship entails.

B.     Key Verse

            “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (14:33).

C.     Did You Know…?

1.      Dropsy (14:2): Abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the tissues of the body.

2.      Eat bread in the kingdom of God (14:15): Association of the future kingdom with a feast was common (13:29; Isa 25:6; Mt 8:11; 25:1-10; 26:29; Rev 19:9).

II.    Observation

A.     Outline

(14:1-6)

(14:7-11)

(14:12-14)

(14:15-24)

(14:25-35)

B.     Key Words/Phrases

III. Segment Analysis

A.     14:1-6

1. Did Jesus heal the man in order to incite His adversaries?

2. How did the Lord silence His adversaries?

B.     14:7-11

3a. What were the people’s view of how to receive honor?

3b. According to Jesus, what is true honor?

4. How should we humble ourselves in terms of the way we view ourselves?

5. Think of occasions in life where you can apply the teaching of this parable.

C.     14:12-14

6. How is the teaching in this paragraph closely related to the previous paragraph?

7. Compare the two different kinds of rewards mentioned here.

8. Who are “the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind” in your life? How can you apply the Lord’s teaching to them?

D.     14:15-24

9. What led the man to say those words in verse 15?

10. How is the gospel message like the invitation to a great banquet?

11a. Comparing the three excuses in the parable with common excuses people use today, what are some reasons people turn down the invitation to God’s kingdom?

11b. Do you sometimes also use these excuses to turn down God’s invitation to receive His blessings?

12. Why did the host become angry?

13. How does the man’s order to the servant in 21 and 23 apply to preaching to gospel?

14. Who finally came to the banquet? What does this teach us about who will enter God’s kingdom?

E.     14:25-35

15. List the things in this passage that are required of Jesus’ disciples.

16. Explain the meaning of “hate” in verse 26.

16b. Why is it necessary to “hate” our families and our lives to be a disciple?

17. How should we bear our cross?

18. How should we count the cost of being a disciple? Have you counted the cost?

19. What does it mean to forsake all? Have you forsaken all that you have for Christ?

20. What kind of disciples are like salt that has lost its flavor?