February 29th

Opening Question: Have you ever experienced flooding?

Read Luke 6:46-49

46 “Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and still don't do what I say? 47 Some people come to me and listen to me and do what I say. I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like someone who builds a house. He digs down deep and sets it on solid rock. When a flood comes, the river rushes against the house. But the water can't shake it. The house is well built. 49 But here is what happens when people listen to my words and do not obey them. They are like someone who builds a house on soft ground instead of solid rock. The moment the river rushes against that house, it falls down. It is completely destroyed.”

Discussion Questions:

1. Did you always do what your parents said to do?
2. Why do children sometimes not do what their parents say?
3. What does the word “Lord” mean to you? And to Jesus?
4. How is doing what Jesus says like building a strong foundation for a house?
5. According to Jesus, what will our lives be like if we ignore what he says?
6. Do you know some things Jesus said his followers are supposed to be doing?

February 22nd

Introduction Question: What’s your favorite – and least favorite –
fruit, and why?

Read
Luke 6:43-45
43 "A good tree doesn't bear bad fruit. And a bad tree doesn't bear good fruit. 44 You can tell each tree by the kind of fruit it bears. People do not pick figs from thorns. And they don't pick grapes from bushes. 45 "A good man says good things. These come from the good that is put away in his heart. An evil man says evil things. These come from the evil that is put away in his heart. Their mouths say everything that is in their hearts.

Galatians 5:22,23.
22 The fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful 23 and gentle and having control of oneself. There is no law against things of that kind.

Word List:

figs – a favorite fruit for some people in the Middle East.
thorns – plants with sharp parts that stick out and can hurt if touched.
bushes – plants the grow low to the ground.

Discussion Questions:

1. In the first 3 verses, what do the tree and the fruit represent?
2. In what ways are words like fruit?
3. What’s your favorite “fruit of the Spirit” and why?
4. How do you think Christians should act?
5. Can you think of an example when Jesus Christ produced some fruit of the Spirit?
6. What or who is supposed to be the power source for the Christian life? Explain.
7. How’s the quality of the fruit in my life these days? How can I be more fruitful?

February 15th

Introduction Question: Have you ever felt like you were being graded by someone and you failed the test in their mind?

Read Luke 6:37-42 as a group, and then again individually.

37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." 39 He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Word List:

judge / condemn - to decide someone is bad.
parable - a story with a spiritual meaning.
pit - a deep hole that you can fall into.
speck - something very small and almost invisible.
sawdust - a tiny piece of wood.
plank - a long piece of wood.
hypocrite - when you say something, but do just the opposite.

Discussion Questions:
1. Which is easier: a) to judge, or b) to forgive? Explain.
2. Can you think of any examples of people judging other people?
3. Why do we sometimes make the mistake of judging other people?
4. How would you explain verse 38?
5. What do verses 41 and 42 mean to you?
6. Is there someone in your life who you need to stop judging and start forgiving?

February 8th

Introduction question: What are some things that make you happy?

Read Luke 6:17-26 as a group, and then again individually.

17 Jesus went down the mountain with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there. A large number of other people were there too. They came from all over Judea, including Jerusalem. They also came from the coast of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They had all come to hear Jesus and to be healed of their sicknesses. People who were troubled by evil spirits were made well. 19 Everyone tried to touch Jesus. Power was coming from him and healing them all. 20 Jesus looked at his disciples. He said to them, “Blessed are you who are needy. God's kingdom belongs to you. 21 Blessed are you who are hungry now. You will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are sad now. You will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they have nothing to do with you and say bad things about you, and when they treat your name as something evil. They do all this because you are followers of the Son of Man. 23 Their people treated the prophets the same way long ago. When these things happen to you, be glad and jump for joy. You will receive many blessings in heaven. 24 But how terrible it will be for you who are rich! You have already had your easy life. 25 How terrible for you who are well fed now! You will go hungry. How terrible for you who laugh now! You will cry and be sad. 26 How terrible for you when everyone says good things about you! Their people treated the false prophets the same way long ago.”

Word list:

disciples – followers or students.
Tyre and Sidon – cities on the southern coast of modern-day Lebanon.
Blessed – happy.
kingdom – a nation ruled by a king.
Son of Man – the title that Jesus gave himself most of the time.
prophets – men living before the time of Jesus, who spoke messages from God.
false prophets – men living before the time of Jesus, who said they were speaking messages from God, but were not.

Discussion questions:
1. According to verses 17-19, why was Jesus so popular 2000 years ago? And why is still popular today?
2. How can followers of Jesus be happy when they are needy, hungry, sad, hated and mistreated?
3. What is Jesus saying is wrong with having lots of money, food, happiness and friends?
4. Do you know of any false prophets today or from the past? If so, why do you think they are or were so popular?
5. Are you a happy disciple of Jesus? If so, what makes you happy about following him?

February 1st

Introduction Question: What does love mean to you?

Read Luke 6:27-36, and go over any difficult words.

27 "But here is what I tell you who hear me. Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who call down curses on you. And pray for those who treat you badly. 29 "Suppose someone hits you on one cheek. Turn your other cheek to him also. Suppose someone takes your coat. Don't stop him from taking your shirt. 30 "Give to everyone who asks you. And if anyone takes what belongs to you, don't ask to get it back. 31 Do to others as you want them to do to you. 32 "Suppose you love those who love you. Should anyone praise you for that? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33 And suppose you do good to those who are good to you. Should anyone praise you for that? Even 'sinners' do that. 34 And suppose you lend money to those who can pay you back. Should anyone praise you for that? Even a 'sinner' lends to 'sinners,' expecting them to pay everything back. 35 "But love your enemies. Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then you will receive a lot in return. And you will be sons of the Most High God. He is kind to people who are evil and are not thankful. 36 So have mercy, just as your Father has mercy.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is love so important?
2. Who has shown you a lot of love, and how was it shown?
3. Which of the verses above do you think sounds the most difficult? Explain.
4. Who do you have the most difficulty loving, and why?
5. What are some ways we can love our enemies?