This week we look at Jesus’ famous sermon from Luke 6:17-49, known in Luke as the Sermon on the Plain (or Plateau) but paralleled in Matthew’s Gospel as the Sermon on the Mount.
SERMON OUTLINE
“Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice… they are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock.” (Luke 6:47-48)
The Great Reversal (Luke 6:20-26)
- “Blessed”
- Contrasts of blessing and woe
- The Son of Man at the center
The Radical Love of Jesus’ Disciples (Luke 6:27-38)
- Radical love for enemies
- Radical love with intent
- Radical love reflecting God
- Radical love free of judgment
3 Pictures of a Disciple’s Life (Luke 6:39-49)
- Student and Teacher: the way
- Tree and Fruit: the heart
- Buildings and Foundations: the center
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What is one of the most important lessons you have ever learned?
- We continue the series “Jesus on the Move” by looking at an extended teaching from Jesus. Before you begin this study, ask God to speak to you from His Word. Then, whether you are alone or with a group, read Luke 6:17-49 aloud.
- Jesus is teaching on a plain, or plateau, near the hillside where he recently selected His twelve apostles (see Luke 6:12-16). This famous sermon contains some of the most well-known teaching of Jesus. Who is present to hear it, why are they present, and to whom is Jesus really speaking (vss 17-20)?
- In vss 20-26, Jesus contrasts what it means to experience or not experience God’s blessing. What do you think it means to be blessed? Write up a one-sentence definition of what it means to be blessed according to the Bible.
- These contrasts relate to physical, social, and spiritual conditions. What are the contrasts, what is the future hope, and what would you say is the dividing center point between these lists?
- Vss 27-38 focus on the way of love. To whom should we extend love according to Jesus? How does this contrast with other standards or human nature? Why is this important to Jesus?
- Jesus finishes this section by addressing the concept of judging others. What sort of judgment is Jesus talking about here? In what way do you think this relates to Jesus’ teaching about loving our enemies?
- Who is someone you struggle to love or not judge? Why is this difficult for you? What do you think it looks like to extend Jesus’ love to that person this week?
- Jesus’ teaching concludes with three pictures of what life with Christ looks like (vss 39-49). Which of these is most striking to you personally? What is Jesus saying in the teaching? What is He saying to you in particular through it?