The Lost Sheep/Coin
Who were the two groups of people that gathered to hear Jesus in Luke 15:1?
Who are tax collectors and sinners?
After wasting his inheritance, what job does the younger son take?
What is feeding pigs?
In Luke 16:1-13, the steward is accused of this action by his master.
What is wasting his master's possessions?
Scripture:
"So he called him in and asked him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.'" (Luke 16:2, NIV)
This group of people, often criticized by Jesus for their greed and materialism, is specifically mentioned as sneering at Jesus in Luke 16:14.
Who are the Pharisees?
In the parable, this event happens to both the rich man and Lazarus, highlighting the end of their earthly lives.
What is death?
(Luke 16:22 – "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.")
In both parables, Jesus says there is more rejoicing in heaven over what?
What is one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent?
What does the father do when he sees his prodigal son returning?
What is "he runs to him, embraces him, and welcomes him home"? (Luke 15:20 – “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”)
The steward in the parable decides to do this with his master's debtors to secure his future.
What is reducing their debts?
Scripture:
"So he called in each one of his master's debtors. He asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' 'Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,' he replied. 'The manager told him, "Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty."'" (Luke 16:5-6, NIV)
(A similar reduction occurs with the second debtor in Luke 16:7.)
Jesus told the Pharisees that God knows this, which people often try to justify in front of others.
What are their hearts?
(Luke 16:15 – "He said to them, 'You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts.'")
This figure in the parable, representing comfort and security in the afterlife, is where Lazarus is taken after his death.
Who is Abraham’s side (or Abraham's bosom)?
(Luke 16:22 – "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side.")
How does Jesus contrast the attitudes of the Pharisees and scribes with the themes of these parables?
What is their lack of joy over sinners repenting compared to God's rejoicing?
What is the significance of the father giving the son a robe, ring, and sandals upon his return?
What is "these symbolize restored sonship, authority, and honor in the family"? (Luke 15:22 – “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.’”)
In Luke 16:8, Jesus contrasts the children of light with the children of this group, referring to worldly wisdom and values.
What are the children of this age?
Scripture:
"For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light." (Luke 16:8, NIV)
Jesus taught that what people value highly is this in the sight of God.
What is detestable?
(Luke 16:15 – "What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.")
This rich man, after his death, finds himself in torment and asks for Lazarus to bring him relief, but his request is denied because of this reason.
What is the great chasm?
(Luke 16:26 – "And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.")
What accusation by the Pharisees and scribes led Jesus to tell this parable?
What is "they criticized Him for welcoming and eating with sinners"?
How does the phrase "he came to himself" (Luke 15:17) reflect a deeper theological concept of repentance?
What is "it shows that repentance begins with recognizing one’s true condition and turning back to God"? (Luke 15:17 – “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!’”)
This key theological lesson is drawn from the parable of the unjust steward regarding the use of material wealth.
What is the idea that wealth should be used for eternal purposes, not just worldly gain?
Scripture:
"I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings." (Luke 16:9, NIV)
(This highlights the idea of using earthly wealth for eternal rewards.)
In Luke 16:17, Jesus emphasized the permanence of God's law, saying it is easier for these two things to disappear than for the smallest part of the law to fail.
What are heaven and earth?
(Luke 16:17 – "It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.")
Abraham responds to the rich man’s request to send Lazarus to his brothers by pointing to these two sources of divine revelation.
What are Moses and the Prophets?
(Luke 16:29 – "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'")
How does the pursuit of the lost sheep from the shepherd reveal the character of Christ?
He actively pursues us.
How does this parable relate to Jesus’ larger theme in Luke’s Gospel about God’s concern for sinners and outcasts?
It shows that He came for the sinners and the outcasts and not just for the righteous ones.
Luke 16:13 teaches about the impossibility of serving both God and this.
What is mammon (wealth or money)?
Scripture:
"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Luke 16:13, NIV)
According to Jesus, who is the last prophet?
Who is John The Baptist?
(Luke 16:16 – "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John.")
What theological truth is revealed in the death of the rich man and him wanting "relief."
There can be no accepting of Christ after you died.