Life Group Discussion Guide for February 26, 2023
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Resolute: A Focused Study of Luke
2.26.23
What People Highly Value
Luke 16:1-15
Dinner Table Questions
We’ve been talking a lot in the last week or so about idols. We’ve said those things that can become idols to us are not necessarily bad, they make lousy gods. Wealth is not bad. Affirmation is not bad. Nor is influence or giftedness or even family. But how do we tell if something in our life has gone from being good to being an idol?
Open Bible Questions
Read Luke 16:1-9.
– It is important from the start to set the boundaries of what Jesus is doing with this parable. This one is often referred to by scholars as one of the “most difficult” in the book of Luke.
o First, this is not meant to be allegorical. In other words, Jesus is not saying that the rich man is supposed to represent God and that we are supposed to see ourselves as the manger in this story.
o Second, notice verse 8. Jesus does not “commend the dishonest manager because he acted shrewdly.” Jesus says that a fictitious character in the parable, who does not allegorically represent God, commends the dishonest manager for acting shrewdly.
o Third, notice what Jesus says next, in the second sentence of verse 8. What do you think he means by “their own kind”?
– With those things in mind go back and read the parable again. What do you think Jesus is getting at here? How does all of this relate to the punch line in verse 9?
Read Luke 16:10-12
– How does this connect to the parable and punchline that Jesus has just told? What does Jesus mean by “true riches” in contrast to “worldly wealth”?
Read Luke 16:13
– At this point it becomes more obvious how this teaching of Jesus connects with our topic of idolatry. How does verse 13 develop out of what has come before in verses 1-12?
Read Luke 16:14-15
– Notice “…the Pharisees who loved money…”. How does our affection relate to our conversation about idolatry?
– Notice the last sentence in verse 15. Is this hyperbole, like when Jesus says you should gouge out your eye if it causes you to sin? What is Jesus saying here? How does this relate to those things, or even people, that can become idols in our life?
Monday Morning Questions
What do you “highly value?” Has it become an idol? How can you tell? As you go about your week, take inventory of the place that people, and positions and possessions hold in your life