New Covenant Online Bible study: Luke 11

Luke 11 Verses 1-11 Jesus' teachings on prayer I don't think it is simple irony that this comes immediately after the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10; Jesus is expounding on the "better portion" of Mary- spending time with Jesus Lords Prayer is taught to disciples after their request to "teach us to pray" ; this is the only thing that Jesus was ever requested by disciples to teach In verses 5-8, Jesus calls for perseverance in our prayer petitions In verses 9-13, we hear that God desires to give us great thing; ask and it shall be given Verses 14-28 Jesus and Beelzebul Jesus is driving out a demon; amid accusation that he is doing this in name of demons, he shares how can demons do good things; good things done by God, not evil ones Beelzebul was considered the head of demons in folk lore of that day Verses 29-32- sign of Jonah Parallel between sign of Jonah and Jesus; Jonah in the belly of the fish for 3 days, and Christ Jesus will be in the tomb for 3 days; Jonah's signto Nineveh is that they should repent, and Jesus' sign is that they should accept him. Verses 33-36- Lamp of the body Show and share the light of Christ among them Verses 37-54- Woes to Pharisees and experts in the law In essence, Jesus is saying woe to those who say one thing and do another; who preach, but do not practice; who keep up only good appearances; by keeping up only good appearances, they block the way for others going into the kingdom of God Discussion Questions 1. Jesus speaks about persevering in prayer. What are some things that get in the way for you of persevering in prayers about something? 2. When you are really honest with yourself, what words in the Lords Prayer are the hardest for you to pray? 3. Jesus shares here a list of woes to religious leaders- Pharisees and experts in the law. If Jesus was on earth today, what woe would he share on leaders in His Church? What woe would he say about your own life?