Bible Study - LUKE: Prevailing Voices
- What is something God has done for you that you are thankful for or are celebrating? How have you experienced the goodness and faithfulness of God since our last meeting?
- Where are you experiencing stress, anxiety or discouragement? How would you like to see God move in your life or in the life of someone close to you?
- What did you hear in this week’s sermon that was new or particularly interesting? Did anything stand out to you as puzzling or troubling?
- Consider the historical context for a minute. The Jewish religious leaders are doing everything they can to get rid of Jesus. Pilate, the Roman governor of the region, is responsible for maintaining peace in the region and ensuring that the Roman Empire is profitable and prosperous. Jesus, the Son of God, has performed miracles, cast out demons, singled out the Jewish leaders, and called people to repentance. What do you think about this? What images or pictures come to mind?
- Read Luke 23:2 – “And they began to accuse him, saying, ‘We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.’” What do you notice about these accusations against Jesus? What do these statements reveal about the intentions of the Jewish religious leaders?
- Luke 23:25 states, “He [Pilate] released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.” Barabbas, a guilty man, is freed – while Jesus, the innocent one, is punished and put to death. What did Jesus come to do on our behalf? Why is this so important for understanding the message of the Gospel? Is there someone in your life who needs to hear this Good News?
- Chris noted that there are certain voices that will prevail. As noted in the sermon, “Who might you be allowing to have a little too much leverage on your heart when it comes to whether or not you choose to live by the truth and go the way of Jesus?”
- As we consider this story, we are also challenged to place Jesus over our self-interest? Where do you struggle to relinquish control or self-interest? What is the Holy Spirit calling you to, right now?
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