Luke 6: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Luke 6 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Jesus and his disciples are picking grain on the Sabbath, which some Pharisees challenge, asking why it is lawful (vv. 1-2). Jesus points out that David ate the show bread when hungry, emphasizing that ‘The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath’ (vv.

Key verse

“But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,”
Luke 6:27 (WEB)

Outline

Luke 6:1–5 Debate on the Sabbath Law
Luke 6:6–11 Healing on the Sabbath
Luke 6:12–16 Choosing the Twelve Apostles
Luke 6:17–19 The Crowd and Healings
Luke 6:20–26 The Beatitudes and Woes
Luke 6:27–38 Radical Love and Mercy
Luke 6:39–49 Judgment and Foundations

Discussion questions

In v6, who was present in the synagogue when Jesus entered?
What was the condition of the man with the withered hand in v6?
Jesus' question in vv. 9-10 about doing good on the Sabbath: what tension does it present regarding the Pharisees' interpretation of the law?
In v37, why does Jesus connect not judging others with being set free?
When have you faced criticism for doing something viewed as unconventional, similar to the disciples in v2?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Luke 6: Proverbs 4, Matthew 5, Matthew 7.

Before next time: read Luke 7.