1. We can resent it (vv. 34-37, 41):

2. We can resist it (vv. 40, 42-44):

3. We can receive it (vv. 38-49):

For Further Thought and Discussion

Getting Started
1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?

Going Deeper
2. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus quotes from Isaiah 61:1-2 and declares that his ministry will be one of liberation (see also Isaiah 58:6). According to this passage, what does Jesus’ ministry of liberation look like (see vv. 34-37, 38-39)?

3. Why are the crowds so impressed with Jesus’ word (compare v. 32 with v. 36)? What is unique about Jesus’ teaching? What is Luke telling us about Jesus and the nature of his authority (compare Jesus’ rebukes in this passage with Psalm 106:9; Nahum 1:4; Zechariah 3:2)?

4. Compare and contrast Jesus’ exorcism in the synagogue (vv. 34-37) with his healing of Simon’s mother-in-law (vv. 38-39). How are these accounts similar? Why are these similarities significant (compare Acts 10:36-38)?

5. How do the crowds respond to Jesus (vv. 40-41)? How does Jesus respond to his newfound popularity (v. 42)? Why does he respond this way? How do the people of Capernaum resist Jesus’ mission (vv. 42-43; compare Luke 4:28-30; 10:15)?

6. How does Simon’s mother-in-law respond to her healing (v. 39)? How does she serve as a paradigm of what it means to follow Jesus (compare Luke 8:2-3; 10:38-39; 17:10)?

Application
7. This passage reveals a number of ways we can respond to Jesus’ authority. Which of these stood out to you? Why?

8. Jeff provided a number of reasons to receive Jesus’ authority. Which of these stood of out to you? Why?

9. What’s one thing you can do this week to apply this sermon?