Luke Chapter 6

The whole point of reading our Bible is to understand that it is the Word of God, it is not just another book. Spending time reading His Word and talking with Him is the way we truly can come to understand the character and the heart of God. We have to allow the truths of His Word to seep into our heart and to change it. The Pharisees had studied scripture their whole lives. They knew it backwards and forwards. But they knew it only as a textbook with rules and standards of living not seeing the great love and mercy of God.

1. The Pharisees accused the disciples of sinning on the Sabbath. They were not caught stealing grain from a farmer’s field. The law stated that when a farmer harvested his crop, he had to leave a bit still standing for the poor to glean from. The accusation of sin that the Pharisees were upset about was that the disciples were doing work on the Sabbath by picking and rubbing the heads of the grain to get to the actual meat part. How did Jesus refute the Pharisees?

2. On another Sabbath, the Pharisees watched Jesus closely as he taught, knowing there was a man with a withered or crippled hand in the audience. What was the reaction of the Pharisees when Jesus healed the man?

3. Jesus used a phrase that showed His deity. He had the authority to know if His disciples broke the Sabbath law or not. What phrase did Jesus use?

4. How long did Jesus pray before choosing 12 of His disciples to be named as apostles? Jesus spent time talking with The Holy Spirit and the Father for a very important decision. This next step in Jesus’ ministry was so important as these were the men who would carry out the plan of God to evangelize the world.

As you read that 12th name in the list of the apostles, you see that Judas Iscariot was chosen even though Jesus knew he would become His traitor. Let that sink in for a moment. This too was part of God’s plan.

5. In verses 15-19 it’s easy to miss the enormity of what Jesus did. How many people did He heal during this one particular point in time?

6. Jesus begins to build a contrast, as He taught this large crowd, between those disciples who would truly follow Him with their whole heart and those who relied on their own riches and stature in life. Those who follow Him would be blessed and those who relied on self would not be blessed. What type of people were the very first people Jesus mentioned that He would bless?

7. Jesus taught us that His disciples will love people, even their enemies. To love our enemies is a difficult thing. It does not mean that we will feel the same way about that person as we do a friend, but God instructs us to do good towards that enemy rather than seek revenge. When we can show that kind of love towards our enemies, what is the promise of God that we will receive?