Luke 14: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Luke 14 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Jesus went into the house of a Pharisee on the Sabbath to eat. They were watching him closely. A man with dropsy was there. Jesus asked the Pharisees if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. They did not answer. He healed the man and sent him away. He asked them if they would help a child or an ox on the Sabbath, and they were silent.

Key verse

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 14:11 (WEB)

Outline

Luke 14:1–6 Healing on the Sabbath
Luke 14:7–11 Teaching on Humility
Luke 14:12–14 Generosity to the Marginalized
Luke 14:15–24 Parable of the Great Banquet
Luke 14:25–33 Cost of Discipleship
Luke 14:34–35 The Nature of True Discipleship

Discussion questions

In v3, what question does Jesus ask the lawyers and Pharisees?
In v13, who does Jesus suggest should be invited to a feast?
The statement 'none of those men who were invited will taste of my supper' in v24: what implications does this have for broader invitations?
In v26, why does Jesus emphasize the need to 'disregard' family ties in following Him?
When have you prioritized social status like the guests at the feast in vv. 8-10?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Luke 14: Matthew 10, Proverbs 29, Matthew 5.

Before next time: read Luke 15.