Luke/Acts for Beginners

• Who is represented by the sower? Desired response: Each of us as we carry the message of Jesus.
• What is represented by the seed? Desired response: The teachings of Jesus, or, the word of God.
• What is represented by the soil? Desired response: Those in the world that we teach about Jesus.

If someone is truly seeking the teachings of Jesus, then they would be receptive to what He was saying. Their receptiveness would allow for understanding. Those desiring to follow Jesus and specifically, His apostles were granted insight into what Jesus was teaching because of their receptiveness.

As Jesus concludes the Parable of the Lamp, He admonishes them to take care of how you hear. The use of "how" in this passage seems to point out the importance of their desire to understand. However, it is also important that one does something with what is taught. In the context of Jesus' teachings, when we learn of Him and what He desires, we should be showing this to others and not keeping it to ourselves. In truth, it should be difficult not to show it. Hence, the use of illustrations in the parable of hiding the light.

Note: This might be a good time to ask a follow-up question regarding the sending of the apostles in Luke 9, "What is the relationship to the Parable of the Lamp and to the sending out of the 12? Desired response: After teaching the apostles of the importance of not hiding the light of Jesus, He gives them the charge to teach of and for Him. He also empowers them with the ability to do miracles, thus validating before the people that Jesus is the Messiah. It was not the Apostles' power, but the power of Jesus working through them.

Desired response: It further proves His Deity and power over creation, His power over evil and His compassion.

Responses will vary but look for answers about the power of faith. This woman's faith was remarkable. Many times we feel we need tremendous faith in order to draw upon the power of our Lord. This is the opposite of reality. In this event, the woman's faith was that if she only touched his garment she would be healed. Jesus recognized her small faith and healed her.

Our Lord controls time, not us. Whether the girl was alive or dead had no impact on Jesus' ability to heal her or answer the prayers of her parents. We learn from this that our faith is in our Lord. As His disciples, He promises to answer our prayers. He will do so according to His will and His timeline. This is where our faith must be shown.

One other note, it is possible to those involved with the events of the woman suffering from hemorrhaging and Jarius' daughter, that due to the position of Jarius, his was the greater need. But to Jesus, both were important. The humility and faith of the woman demanded that Jesus response to her needs.

An apostle is a type of messenger that would carry to others the teachings of their master. In Luke 9:2 we read "He sent them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal." This is very similar to what Jesus was Himself doing.

This was a way of teaching them to have faith. Today, we carry the simple message of Jesus and must learn to rely on His power working through us for our success.

Herod is a good example of what Jesus stated about hearing but not understanding. Herod no doubt heard of Jesus and His teachings but completely misunderstood who Jesus was and the message He preached.

Responses will vary but look for answers such as Jesus will meet our needs. We must use what we have to serve Jesus. The power is with Jesus and not with us.

We dedicate whatever we have whether physical, intellectual, emotional or spiritual to answer our charge as disciples to obey Jesus.

It clearly shows the Deity of Jesus.

Jesus, ever the master teacher, was continuing to prepare His apostles for what was to come. The apostles may have been feeling a bit overconfident in their position. Jesus used the child to illustrate that being first in the Kingdom requires humility.

A child in the culture of that time would not be one with great power. Even today, children are dependent on others for their care. Children possess potential for greatness but must go through a period of development. To the apostles, greatness was found in one's ability to do great things. This is ironic since they were standing in the presence of the Son of God who had all power and yet taught and demonstrated humility. This would be a lesson they would learn as the events of the life and death of Jesus unfolded.

Answers will vary. Encourage students to learn to go to God in prayer to help develop faith and the wisdom to deal with events in our lives. Just as Jesus physically calmed the storm, He will help us deal with storms in our lives.

We want prayers answered our way and in our timeline. Naturally we want negative events in our lives changed but we must always remember that we are the servants and our Lord is the Master. The timing and answer to prayers are according to His will. We can take solace in knowing that He promises to answer prayers for those that are His disciples.

Look for specific responses about how we can develop our faith and learn to rely on Jesus. We must also look for opportunities to teach others about Him with the knowledge that not all will be receptive or remain faithful. Our role is to sow the seed of the knowledge of Jesus. We must also remember that it is God's power working through us, not our own power.