Friday, August 28th

Opening Question: Do you believe in life after death?

Read Luke 16:19-31 together as a group, and then again silently.

Word List:
Lazarus – a name which means GOD IS MY HELP.
beggar – someone who asks strangers for help.
angels – messengers of God.
Abraham’s side – another way of saying HEAVEN, where Abraham is.
Father Abraham – the father of the Jewish people group.
have pity – to feel sorry (and maybe do something) for someone who’s suffering.
hell – a permanent place far away from God’s presence, also described in the Bible as THE LAKE OF FIRE.
wide space – a great separation.
Moses and the Prophets – the words of THE BIBLE that talk about Jesus.
sins – all the selfish things that people think, say, do, etc.

Discussion Questions:
1. What’s happening in this story that Jesus tells?
2. According to this story, what is heaven like? And hell?
3. Why was there a “wide space” between the rich man (in hell) and Abraham (in heaven)?
4. Who should the rich man’s brothers have listened to, and why?
5. What should the rich man have done while he was still alive?
6. How can we escape hell and enter heaven, and help our families and friends do the same?

Friday, August 22nd

Opening Question: Did you ever want to run away from home when you were young?

Read Luke 15:11-24 out loud as a group, and again silently by yourselves.

Word List:
family property – the things children get when their parents die.
sin – living independently from God.
fit – deserving.
tender – gentle, sensitive.
calf – a young cow.


Discussion Questions:
1. How would you describe the son? And the father?
2. Why do you think the son wanted to leave home?
3. What does “wild living” mean? Can you think of some modern-day examples?
4. What do you think the words in verse 24 mean?
5. How is the human father in the story like our heavenly Father?
6. Does God seem a long way off or near to you? Explain.
7. What steps do we have to take to return to God?

Friday, August 15th

Opening question: What is the most costly thing you have ever purchased?

Read Luke 14:25-35 as a group, and then again by yourselves.

Word list:
disciples – followers.
cross – the way they killed criminals during the days of the Roman Empire.
tower – a tall building, or an extra-tall part of a building.
salt – for preserving meat (before refrigeration was invented), or for flavoring food.

Discussion Questions:
1. Who is Jesus talking to, and what is he talking about?
2. How can Jesus ask people to “hate” their family members?
3. What does it mean to “carry our cross”?
4. What’s the hardest thing in life to give up for Jesus?
5. What do you think is the cost of following Jesus in your culture?
6. Have you decided to follow Jesus? If so, what is, or has been, the cost for you?

Friday, August 8th

Opening Question: Do you ever make excuses when you don’t want to do something?

Read Luke 14:15-24 as a group, and again by yourselves.

Word list:
God’s kingdom – heaven, where God rules
oxen – work animals
lanes – small streets

Discussion Questions:
1. What is happening in the story Jesus tells?
2. In the story, who or what do you think is represented by:
The owner?
The house?
The dinner?
The servant?
The guests, street people and country people?
3. How would you describe the owner?
4. Do you think the excuses the guests make are good ones or not?
5. What excuses do people make today for not becoming committed Christians?