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15. The role of John the Baptist and his limitation (Luke 7:18–35)

Though John was the first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, he did not fully grasp the nature of the salvation the Messiah would bring. The Old Testament pointed people to Christ, but many remained in the Old Testament framework and did not move on to Christ Himself. πŸ‘‰ Read Luke 7:18 - 35 Q1. Though John the Baptist had proclaimed that Jesus was Christ, later he doubted Jesus' identity. When John sent his disciples to ask about Jesus' identity, what was Jesus' answer?  Answers πŸ‘‰ ANS: V22 (quote from Isaiah 35:5)  John doubted Jesus was Christ because he thought Christ would recover Israel from Rome. The Lord reminded him of the Messianic prophecy to correct his misunderstanding of Christ's role and to allude that he was Christ.  “Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” As we begin to believe in the Lord, we are often challenged or even disappointed by His word and His work, because things do not unfold according to our expectations. Nevertheless, tho...

14: The faith of the Centurion & Raising a Widow’s Son (Luke 7:1 – 17)

It is not the law but faith that grants access to the Lord. From God’s side, it is compassion—not compensation for our works—that moves Him to intervene in our need. This reveals the nature of the gospel of Jesus, symbolized by the new wine. πŸ‘‰ Read Luke 7:1 - 17 Q1. Compare Matt 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10. How is Luke’s record differences from Matthew’s? Answers πŸ‘‰ ANS: The centurion sent some Jewish elders to Jesus and asked for help. “He is worthy to have you do this for him” (v.4). The Jews told Jesus what the centurion had done and argued that he deserved help. This reflects a common human mindset—even among religious leaders—that grace is earned by merit. But the centurion said, “I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.” Yet he believed Jesus could heal his servant by merely speaking a word. This is faith: humbling oneself, acknowledging Christ’s authority and power, and trusting that even a word from Him is sufficient. Q2. What part of the Centurion's sayin...

13: Do not Judge, Check your heart, and Obey Jesus (Luke 6:37 – 49)

They should not be occupied with judging others; rather, they should examine their own lives with humility and follow the instruction of Jesus. πŸ‘‰ Read Luke 6:37 - 49 Q1. Do not (            ), and you will not be (             ). If you want to (           ) from God, you should (             ) to others first. If you don't see your fault but point out other's fault, you are (             ). Such a person cannot lead others. If you want to see and find your fault, you should check your heart first. Like a good tree produces good (         ), only a person with good (         ) can do good work. However, for only God is good, a good heart is a repentant heart without hypocrisy. Such a heart obeys (                ) of Jesus sent ...

12: Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17 – 36)

Promises of the Upside-Down Kingdom (17-23), Warnings to the Self-Sufficient (24 – 26), The Radical Ethic of Love and Mercy: Imitating the Character of God (27 – 36) πŸ‘‰ Read Luke 6:17 - 36 Q1. “Sermon on the Plain” (Luke 6:17–49) and “Sermon on the Mount” (Matt 5–7) contain similar teachings but reflect different emphases. Compare two passages, especially on the setting and audience. Answers πŸ‘‰ Setting: • Luke: A level place (plain), stressing nearness and accessibility. • Matthew: A mountain, highlighting authority and continuity with Moses. Audience: • Luke: A large crowd from Judea, Jerusalem, and Gentile regions (Tyre and Sidon), emphasizing the inclusive reach of the Kingdom. • Matthew: Primarily disciples, emphasizing instruction for committed followers. Matthew emphasizes the Kingdom of Heaven—its fulfillment of Scripture and its global proclamation—while Luke highlights God’s saving work among the lost and marginalized and calls for personal, costly commitment...

11: Lord of the Sabbath & Choosing Twelve Apostles (Luke 6:1 – 16)

While the Pharisees clung to the rituals of the Sabbath, Jesus affirmed that He is the Lord of the Sabbath and revealed its true purpose: to preserve and save life. πŸ‘‰ Read Luke 6:1 - 16 Q1. "The Son of Man is the lord of the Sabbath" means that Jesus has the authority to reveal its meaning and fulfill the Sabbath law. As you read verses 3, 4, and 9, what would you say about the true meaning of the Sabbath?  Answers πŸ‘‰ ANS: Mercy and love, the Sabbath law is for man,  Jesus used the example of David to show that the Scriptures should be interpreted in the spirit of love and compassion. Although David broke the law, God did not condemn him, yet the Pharisees could not explain this, revealing their limited understanding of the law and its purpose. They, however, judged the disciples for what seemed like a Sabbath violation.  “Lord of the Sabbath:” Jesus revealed God’s true intention for the law and, in a sense, redefined it, fulfilling its purpose through His sacr...

10: Salvation by Forgiveness & They don’t want (Luke 5:17 – 39)

Jesus, purposefully, announced forgiveness of sins. He said He came to call sinners to repentance. This is a new wine: Salvation through forgiveness, but they don’t want it. πŸ‘‰ Read Luke 5:17 - 39 Q1. When Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law who came from all villages. What was their purpose? (22) Answers πŸ‘‰ ‘Hostile’ attitude: They came to verify or judge Jesus’ teaching and ministry.  They had already concluded that Jesus was not from God, and they sat there only to find something to accuse Him of. We, by contrast, are called to remain open-minded to God’s work and His intervention in our lives. Otherwise, we become judgmental and miss what God is accomplishing in our own day. Q2. When they lowered a person with paralysis on a stretcher from the rooftop, what did Jesus say to them? Why did Jesus say that? Answer πŸ‘‰ Your sins are forgiven.  To let them know that Jesus had the authority to forgive sins on Earth. Surely, healing is easier tha...

09: Calling Sinners to Be Disciples & Cleansing the Leper (Luke 5:1–16)

Jesus called fishermen who confessed their sinfulness to become His disciples. He willingly touched a leper and cleansed him. Through these acts, Jesus revealed that His ministry is to forgive sinners and to make the unclean clean. πŸ‘‰ Read Luke 5:1 - 16 Q1. When the people gathered to listen to Jesus’ word, Simon and his fellow fishermen were washing their ( ). Jesus got into Simon’s boat and asked him to put out a little from the shore so that He could ( ) the crowd. After He finished teaching, He told Simon to let down the nets in ( ) water. Trusting Jesus’ word, Simon obeyed and caught a great number of fish. Answers πŸ‘‰ ANS: nets, teach, deep. Notably, Simon was not among the crowd listening to Jesus, likely because he was occupied with his work to earn a living. Yet Jesus implicitly called Simon, not from the crowd, but from his ordinary labor, to become His disciple. Q2.  What was his response when Simon (later named Peter) caught many fish? And what did Jesus s...

08: Beginning of the ministry: Nazareth rejection & Capernaum confusion (Luke 4:14 – 44)

Most people either reject the gospel or seek earthly blessings. These are two typical responses of the world toward the gospel. πŸ‘‰ Read Luke 4:14 - 44 Q1. Jesus read a Messianic prophecy from Isaiah in the synagogue at Nazareth and proclaimed that it had been fulfilled that day. According to the prophecy, what was the Messiah's role? (18–19) Answers πŸ‘‰ ANS: To bring the Year of the Lord’s favor. The ministry of the cross also proclaims the salvation of God through forgiveness. Salvation is not based on merely hearing about the cross, but on coming before the cross in faith. That is why the Holy Spirit was with Jesus in this ministry. Q2. Why did the people in Nazareth reject Jesus? Answer πŸ‘‰ ANS: They saw Jesus only as Joseph’s son. We should see through the eyes of faith in God’s Word, not rely solely on our personal experience. The people of Nazareth were given the first opportunity to be acquainted with Christ, yet they became the first to reject Him—just as ...

07: The Son of God @ Baptism, Genealogy, and Temptation (Luke 3:21 – 4:13)

Before Jesus begins His public ministry, His identity as the Son of God is proclaimed by God, explained through His genealogy, and challenged in the wilderness. πŸ‘‰ Read Luke 3:21 – 4:13 Q1. What was spoken from heaven when Jesus was baptized? Answers πŸ‘‰ You are my one dear son; in you I take great delight. Q2. The genealogy of Jesus in Luke Chapter 3 differs from the one in Matthew. It is (         ) generations from Jesus to Zerubbabel, 22 generations from Zerubbabel to David, (        ) generations from David to Abraham, and (       ) generations from Abraham to God. It presents Jesus as the Son of God not only through His conception by the Holy Spirit, but also through the biological line traced back to (         ), who is called the son of God. Answer πŸ‘‰ ANS: 20, 14, 21, Adam One possible explanation is the levirate marriage law in the Old Testament. When a man died without a...

06: Prepare the way of the Lord (Luke 3:1 – 20)

John was the voice in the wilderness to make people to prepare their heart for the Lord. πŸ‘‰ Read Luke 3:1 - 20 Q1. V1 – 2 tells us about the historical background of the gospel. Who are addressed here? Answers πŸ‘‰ Tiberius, Pilate, Herod, Philip, Lysania, Annas, Caiaphas This comment advocates his record is a historical truth.  God’s words didn’t come through those prominent figures but the one in the wilderness. Q2. According to Isaiah's prophecy, John the Baptist was (              ) shouting in the wilderness. According to his message and ministry, what is to prepare the way for the Lord?  Answer πŸ‘‰ the voice. John was the voice: What matters is the message, not the speaker. Repent and be baptized. John prepares the way by calling people to repent of inner sins like greed, fear, and hypocrisy, which twist the heart and blind it to the gospel. He also confronts social sins like exploitation and injustice, which burden peopl...

05: The Unfolding Revelation of God’s Savior (Luke 2:22 – 52)

Simeon and Anna were the first, by the Holy Spirit, to recognize God’s Savior and to praise the Lord. As Jesus grew up, His own understanding of who He was became increasingly clear. All those praises and prophetic words must have served as God’s confirmation and encouragement for Mary. πŸ‘‰ Read Luke 2:22 - 52 Q1. When they brought baby Jesus to the temple, Simeon and Anna recognized Him as the Lord’s Savior. How do you think they were able to recognize Him? Answers πŸ‘‰ The Holy Spirit enabled Simeon to see it, because he had been waiting for the Lord’s salvation. The Bible notes that he was righteous and devout, and on that very day the Spirit led him into the temple. His heart longed for the restoration of God’s people. In the same way, when you long for the deliverance of God’s children with the compassion of God, you will be among the first to recognize His work of revival. Anna never left the temple but worshiped with fasting and prayer day and night. Because she lived in ...

04: Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1 – 24)

God made Jesus born away from home and laid in a manger. They sang, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased.’ Christ glorifies God and brings peace to us, through His suffering. πŸ‘‰ Read Luke 2:1 - 24 Q1. Why did Jesus' parents travel to Bethlehem while Mary was pregnant? Answers πŸ‘‰ At the behest of Emperor Augustus for registration for tax purposes. Joseph was a descendant of David, and Bethlehem must have been his family's inheritance. However, coming to Galilee and earning a living as a carpenter showed that the Old Testament laws for restoring inheritance, like the year of Jubilee, were ignored. Joseph’s return to his hometown, though temporary, was to prove Jesus was the son of David and to allude to God’s restoration of the inheritance of His people. Q2. What are the three points of the angel's message to the shepherds? (10, 11, 12) Answer πŸ‘‰ • A good news that brings great joy to all the people. • Tod...

03: Birth of John (Luke 1:57 – 80)

When John was born, his father Zechariah praised the Lord. His praise gives important insight about God’s salvation. πŸ‘‰ Read Luke 1:57 - 80 Q1. What amazed them? (from 59-66) Answers πŸ‘‰ When they saw the birth of John in their old age,  when they heard that the baby would be named John—a name not taken from among their relatives— and when they saw Zechariah begin to praise after being mute, they recognized something unusual was happening. At first, they rejoiced with her. But when they realized that Zechariah had been mute because of his unbelief, all were filled with fear. These signs showed that the Lord’s hand was with the baby. The Lord’s coming brings both blessing and judgment. Ironically, his lack of faith—and the resulting muteness—became a witness that the Lord’s hand had appeared. Q2. The praise of Zechariah consists of praise for God's salvation (    ~     ) and a prophecy about John's mission (     ~    ...

02: Birth announcement of Jesus (Luke 1:26-56)

Six months after the announcement of John’s birth, the angel appeared to the virgin Mary and proclaimed the coming birth of Jesus. πŸ‘‰ Read Luke 1:26 - 56 Q1. What were the angel’s words to Mary (three, 30-33) Answers πŸ‘‰ Don't be afraid. You have found favor with God You will bear a son and name him Jesus He will sit on David's throne; his kingdom lasts forever. (His mission) v28: the Greek word for 'Greetings' is Ο‡Ξ±αΏ–ρΡ (rejoice).  Two observations: the Bible highlights Mary was a virgin, and Zechariah and Elizabeth were very old. And the angel again said, ‘Do not be afraid.’ Q2. When Mary questioned how she could have baby without knowing man, the angel answered,  “(         ) will come upon you and the power of the Most High will (       ) you. Therefore, the child will be called (                   ). Look your relative Elizabeth has also become pregnant in her ...