The Beginning of Jesus's Ministry

Read Luke 4:1-6:11. Identify 3-5 elements that you find especially striking, surprising, puzzling, offensive, or any questions you may want to raise in class

In 4:1-6:11, Jesus heals a number of sick people

a) List each instance with chapter/verse citations (for example, "The man with the withered hand in 6:6-11")

b) Go back to each person you listed in 2A, and do your best to put yourself "in their shoes," based on what you know about first-century life. Write a sentence or two for each person, describing how their healing would have opened up new possibilities for them, or otherwise changed their life, in practical terms

Reread 4:31-37. In this passage, Jesus encounters a man who "[has] the spirit of an unclean demon." This kind of language or concept is probably foreign to many of us

a) Based on what this particular passage says, what might you conclude it means to "have" the spirit of an unclean demon? What can you say about this, as it is understood in this passage?

b) We talked about secrecy as an especially important theme in Mark's Gospel, but it is also present in Matthew and Luke in interesting ways. Talk about all the ways you see secrecy factoring into this passage

Reread 5:27-31. Notice that the Pharisees and scribes lump together "tax collectors and sinners"

a) Look back at Luke 3:12-13. What sort of "sin" does this suggest tax collectors would be guilty of?

b) When Jesus says, "I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance," do you think this means he did not come for the scribes and Pharisees? Why or why not?

Reread 6:6-11. How does Jesus's understanding of the Sabbath differ from that of the scribes and Pharisees?