Who is Jesus? Study 3

Jesus: The Teacher

Gratefully used with permission from Global Media Outreach - A Ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ

In the last study, we looked at 'Jesus the Healer." But people didn't come just to be healed by Him;

they also wanted to listen to Him. Large crowds from all over the country would come to hear what

he had to say. He talked about: God's Kingdom, prayer, wise and foolish lifestyles, love and

forgiveness, and also Himself.

Not everyone liked Jesus' teaching. He was outspoken against the religious leaders who were

hypocrites. He had enemies who tried to trick Him with questions, but He always managed to give

wise answers. Even when the religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus, they found it hard because the

crowds wanted to listen to His teaching, "not wanting to miss a single word" (Luke 19:48). In this

study, we will discuss two of the best known parables (stories which teach biblical truth) that Jesus

told.

A. The good Samaritan

1. What would you say are the most important things in life?

Many people went to Jesus with their important questions. For one man, his concern focused on

what would happen to him after his death. He asked Jesus how he could "receive eternal life."

Jesus got the man to answer it himself, from the Scriptures (Luke 10:27).

READ: Luke 10:25-28

2.         What did the man say were the two most important things in life? (10:27)

What do you think of these answers?

Jesus was then asked, "Who is my neighbour?" He answered by telling the story of the good

Samaritan.

READ: Luke 10:29-37

3.         What did the priest and Levite do that was wrong? (10:31, 32)

Did they disobey the principle "I never do anyone any harm"?

Did they break the Law?

4.         Due to their religious and cultural upbringing, Jews looked upon the Samaritans (Gentiles)

with contempt. How did the Samaritan in this parable show love?

5.         How would you answer the question, "Who is my neighbour?"

Jesus acts as a good Samaritan towards us. He sees our needs and failures, and instead of

passing by, He reaches out to help.

B. The lost son

This is a simple story, yet one of the greatest in the world of literature. It takes the problems that

often arise between people to illustrate how men and women react toward God.

READ: Luke 15:11-32

1.         What do you think the younger son was thinking as he left home? (15:12, 13)

Where did he go? (15:13)

How do you think the father felt when his son had gone?

2.         Things went fine for awhile. What happened when things got bad? (15:14-16)

3.         The son changed his mind. Why? (15:17)

How did he show that his attitude had changed? (15:18-20)

4.         What was the father's attitude? (15:20, 22-24)

5.         In what ways do you think this story is a picture of our relationship with God?

This story shows us that God still offers His love in spite of our wilful selfishness. It also shows us

that we can come back to God, no matter how far we have wandered from Him.

To think about

What do you identify with more: the attitude of the son as he left home or his attitude when he

decided to return?