Discussion Questions: Luke 6:1-11

For the message, Excuse Me, But Your Meanness Is Showing! given by Pastor John at New City Church on June 9, 2013

These discussion questions are designed to help you reflect upon and apply the message from the Scriptures. You can use these by yourself for reflection, or you could use these with your family or small group for discussion.

Introduction: What are some ways in which your have recently bumped into the meanness of this world? (Or perhaps an example from your own life or from a news item you saw.) Questions: 1. In Luke 6:1-5, Jesus easily could have rebuffed the Pharisees by saying, Well, thats just your interpretation. But he wanted to get at something deeper in their understanding of God, and their obligation to their fellow human beings. What was that something deeper? Cf. Matthew 12:7. 2. What point is Jesus making when he said, For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath? Reflecting on this passage, author & pastor Tim Keller said, in the end you cant simply like anybody who makes claims like those of Jesus. Either hes a wicked liar or a crazy person and you should have nothing to do with him, or he is who he says he is and your whole life has to revolve around him and you have to throw everything at his feet and say, Command me. How does Luke depiction of Jesus in this text flesh this out? 3. In Luke 6:6-11, another confrontation is recorded on the Sabbath. Point out some of the ironies going on in this text with regards to what the Pharisees were doing. 4. What is it about human beings that like to relate to others on the basis of silly rules than on the basis of love and compassion? Why do we find it hard to admit this about ourselves? What are some modern day examples of the way that people easily excuse themselves from loving people who are different or dont measure up? 5. Read Colossians 3:12-14 about the clothing that followers of Christ should wear. Which article are you most drawn to? Which do you want to be most known for? Which do you need to wear more often? Conclusion: What is the one thing you want to take away from this study to remember or to make a change in your life? How does this text challenge you to follow Jesus?

Renewing your mind: Micah 6:8, He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.