Read Luke 9:51-11:54 (Journey to Jerusalem – Part One)
I found a couple of themes in this week’s verses. Please let me know if you find any more by sharing in the comment box below.
Theme: Good versus evil – Power against evil (10:19; 11:14-26)
Theme: Reversal of things – Hidden from the wise and learned but revealed to the childlike (10:21)
While reading, or after reading, this week’s verses (Luke 9:51-11:54), please ponder the questions shown below as well as the questions found in your study guide (the ICSB for instance). Furthermore, please share with the group your responses to some of the questions and any comments you have regarding the verses (i.e. a verse or phrase you read that touched you or information you found about this week’s readings).
Questions:
- What verse or verses stand out to you, touch you? Why?
- What are you willing to give up, or what have you given up, to follow Jesus? Is there anything that you are not willing to give up? (9:57-62)
- Are you a laborer for the Lord? In what ways? (10:1-16)
- Are you following the OT’s Greatest Commandments as listed in verse 10:27?
- We are called to love everyone, not just our family and friends. Who does our society tend to turn away from and refuse to show compassion? Do you turn your back on anyone? (10:30-37)
- “Work is nothing without its connection to God” (New Collegeville Bible Commentary’s The Gospel According to Luke, by Michael F. Patella). Are you taking time to listen for, and to learn from, God? What are ways in which we can do this? (10:38-42)
- What do you pray for? Are you persistent in your requests? When it appears that God is not answering our prayers, in fact, God may be granting our requests, just in a format we did not expect. Do you trust God to know what is best? Are you open to God’s way of answering your prayers? (11:1-9)
- We must fill our hearts with the love of God, so that evil cannot find a place to reside. Does evil reside within you? How can you sweep it out and replace it with love for God? If you need help with this cleaning, pray to God for guidance and maybe seek a spiritual mentor, like a priest or deacon, to help guide you. (11:24-26)
- Does your light shine bright for all to see? What are some ways you “take care . . . that the light in you not become darkness” (11:35)? Are there ways to improve how you do this? (11:33-36)
Additional Questions found in the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible – Gospel of Luke
Life Giving Bread 
Did anyone else from St. Athanasius read verse 10:2 (“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”) and think of our closing prayer at mass? The Ignatius bible isn’t the same wording as what we use for the prayer, but I’d say that is where the line comes from,. The other study guide I am using has: “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
In regards to the 2nd question above, I think it would be hard for me to give up my family.
For #3 above, I see my two bible study groups a labor of love for my Lord. I hope that it helps spread the Word of God. I also help in other ministries at our Church and try raising my boys to love God as well.
#6 is a tough one. I feel like there isn’t enough quiet times in my days to stop and listen for God. I have my prayer times, but I think I need to take advantage of the time before I pick the boys up from school. Also, it wold be good for my boys to see me in prayer, contemplation. So, my goal is to start doing both these things.
I am typically fearful to ask God for much of anything other than my family’s good health and protection, as well as guidance from the Holy Spirit. I am afraid of how God will grant my requests. The saying, “be careful what you wish for,” comes to mind. I need to learn to ask God for help in my life and give up control to Him.
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