Read Luke 10: 1-23
Firsthand Knowledge

Notice how the 72 that were sent out came back boldly declaring that all demons had to submit to the name of Jesus. They had learned it firsthand! Jesus had given them authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY.  Evidently, they took Jesus at His word and they experienced His truth on a personal basis. That’s what we must continue to do. Let’s take Jesus at His Word. Then, experience firsthand His promises unfolding in our lives.

QUESTIONS:

1. What do you think about Jesus telling them He had seen satan fall from heaven?
2. What did Jesus say was even more important than evil spirits having to submit to you?
3. How does knowing this account impact my personal circumstances?

Read Luke 10:38-42
Priorities

Sometimes we just need to assess, and reassess, our priorities.  What is the most important thing in my life right now? What do I do first in the morning?  How much time do I devote each day to the important issues in my life? Sometimes an honest assessment can reveal areas to which we have begun to devote an inordinate amount of unproductive time.  For example, social media or time spent on a computer in general, can easily become a time eating monster. Let’s remember the words of our Lord in this passage: “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.” The One to whom He refers is Himself.  Let’s put Him, His Word, and knowing more of Him as our number one priority. He promises if we will do that, He will handle the other things for us. (See also Matthew 6:33).

QUESTIONS:

1. Who (or what) gets most of my attention?
2. What are some areas, things or people in my life that I should devote less time?  Why?
3. How can devoting more time to knowing God through His Word be worth my time?

Read Luke 11:1-12
How to Pray

We can’t justifiably say that we don’t know how to pray, because Jesus clearly gave us instruction on how to pray. And, we’re told to pray incessantly.  (See 1 Thessalonians 5:17) 

In today’s passage (See also Matthew 6:9-13), He said, “When you pray, say….” He may not have meant that we should always say exactly the same prayer, but we can certainly use this model as guidance.  First, He let us know that we can go directly to The Father and in doing so we should show Him the deference He is due and acknowledge His holiness—“Our Father in Heaven, hallowed is your name…” (NKJV translation 1-4). Secondly, submission to His will is important—“Your kingdom come. Your will be done.  On earth as it is in heaven.” Next, we are to kindly ask for today’s provision; not tomorrow’s provision, next week or next month’s…just today’s. That reminds us to value the moment, trust in Him one day at a time, don’t worry about the future. (See also Matthew 6:25-34) And, the next thing He says is to ask for forgiveness of our sins.  Notice how He suggests that we ask the Father to forgive us just like we are forgiving of others who have sinned against us. Oh my goodness, did He really say that? Yes, He did. We should ask Him to forgive in the same manner that we are forgiving. I don’t know about you, but I need a whole lot of improvement in my forgiving of others!!  The next request is about sin as well. We are to ask our Father to help us stay away from temptation.  

It’s important to note what is NOT in the model prayer of Jesus.  He does not mention a request for healing of our physical bodies. Surely, He was aware of the frailty of the human body; however, He did not mention physical healing in His prayer.  That certainly doesn’t mean we shouldn’t request healing because He clearly instructs us to bring all of our cares to Him, no matter what, but He has not emphasized physical healing in His model prayer.  In fact, verses 9-12 make it clear that we should ask the Father for whatever concerns us, and that He will hear our prayer. But, in His instructions on how to pray in general, He emphasizes: acknowledging our Father’s greatness, the need to submit to His authority, the importance of forgiveness, and the importance of relying on Him daily for our needs.  Now, we know how to pray.

QUESTIONS:

1. How often am I talking to God?
2. How do my actions demonstrate that I am relying on Him to meet my needs?
3. What changes in my thought and prayer life do I need to make to limit my concerns to living within my Father’s provision for each “one day at a time”.

Read Luke 11:28
How To Be Blessed

This one verse packs a powerful punch!  Jesus said to a crowd of listeners: “Blessed…are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

QUESTIONS:

1.  What specific blessings am I focused on needing from my Heavenly Father?
2. What does the Word tell me that I need to do to obey Him with His help?
3. How do these line up in my life:

• Reading the Word of God?
• Hearing the Word of God?
• Obeying the Word of God?

Read Luke 12:22-34
Another “Do Not Worry” Message

Some have said there’s over 360 times in the scripture in which we are instructed not to worry! Today’s passage is one of those and it comes straight from the lips of Jesus.  (See also Matthew 6). Jesus plainly told us not to worry about our life, what we will eat, about our bodies, what we will wear. Look closely at verse 32 in which Jesus said “…your Father has been PLEASED TO GIVE you the kingdom[!]”.  Since He has given us the kingdom, He then instructs us to sell our possessions and give [the proceeds] to the poor.  That’s how His kingdom was designed to work —those who have much should help those who have little.  He wants us to meet the needs of others and He will, in turn, meet our needs.

We don’t have to look far to find people who need our help and need to see how beautiful His kingdom really is.  Especially during a time of struggle for ourselves, let’s look for ways we can help someone else to experience this perfect principle of the kingdom of God.

QUESTIONS:

1.  What does it mean to me that He has given me His kingdom?
2.  How has He shown me that I can trust Him to provide for my needs?
3. Is He calling me to be His hands and feet and help someone else? Who?