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07/12/2020
Doing Life with Jesus: Getting Ready
Luke 8
1. Parable of the Sower (8:4-8, 11-15) : Take a minute as a group to review the details of one of Jesus’ best
known parables – the parable of the sower (Luke 8:4-8, 11-15). While the individual details of the parable are
fairly well known, its context within the ministry of Jesus is often overlooked. Given the increasing hostility of
the Pharisees and the fast-approaching mission Jesus will give His disciples (Luke 9:2; Matt. 10:16-18), how
did this parable act as a very immediate warning for those disciples? How does this help alleviate the pressure
we put on ourselves as Christian sowers?
2. Purpose of Parables (8:9-10) : If someone were to ask us, as the disciples asked Jesus, “Why did Jesus teach
in parables?” (Matt. 13:10), we might respond, “Stories make truth easier to understand.” Could it be that
Jesus’ response to this question was exactly the opposite (Matt. 13:11-15; Luke 8:10)? If Jesus’ parables were
deliberately intended to confuse, might Jesus have had two audiences in mind in His use of this medium (Matt.
13:11, 34-36)? How do we make sense of this? Are there things you believe and hold dear which the Spirit of
God had to reveal to you personally (1 Cor. 2:14)?
3. Jesus’ Family (8:19-21) : What do you think it was like to have Jesus as an older brother? Had you been a
younger sibling of Jesus, do you think you would have been quicker to believe your older brother’s claims than
were His brothers in the Gospels (John 7:2-5; Matt. 13:57; Mark 3:20-21)? How does Jesus’ relationship with
His family instruct you as to how you ought to relate to your biological family and live in relationship with your
spiritual family (Luke 8:19-21; Luke 19:25-27)?
4. Miraculous Power (8:22-56) : Luke 8 concludes with three stories of Jesus’ power over nature, the demonic,
sickness and death. How would such a demonstration inspire the twelve to go and do likewise (9:1-2)? If they
were going to make disciples at Jesus’ command, they would need faith . How do each of these three miracle
stories highlight faith (8:38-39, 48, 50) or a lack of faith (8:25, 34-35, 37) in the Messiah Jesus? If a modern
day gospel were written with you as one of the disciples, which moments of faith in your life would it include?
