Sermon Summary: After Jesus finishes teaching in this synagogue scene people are raving about his beautiful sermon. Luke says they marveled of his gracious words, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son” And he is claiming to be the anointed one? Things escalate as Jesus references stories of Elijah and Elisha where Israel is judged and blessing goes out to foreigners. Jesus escapes the mobs wrath and the story moves on to a sabbath day in Capernaum. We learn in this section of the story that Jesus is one who teaches with authority, has power over demonic forces (they obey his rebuke to leave the man), and he has authority to heal sickness (rebukes the fever in Simon’s mother-in-law). These stories show us Jesus alone has liberating power and authority for the whole of who we are. He is the authority on human thinking (mind), spirituality (spirit), and physicality (bodies).
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Memory Verse: “And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.” Luke 4:31-32 (ESV)
Discussion Questions:
- Read through Luke 4:22-44. We recommend using the questions from the DNA Meeting Guide to help guide your study of this text. The guide also gives your DNA group a simple structure to work through the passage and discuss together.
- Getting to the Heart - What is your response to the claim that Jesus’ alone has liberating power and authority over the whole of your life? Why is his authority over all that we are good news?
- Living the Way of Jesus - What area of your life do you feel the most tension with your thinking and Jesus thinking? What is one action step for you that might cultivate a greater awareness of your need for His authority in regards to your need for His spiritual protection and physical healing?
Kids Worship Questions:
- Has there ever been a time when a parent told you to do something and you disagreed so much it made you angry? What about a sibling telling you what to do? How might this relate to the crowd’s reaction to Jesus in his hometown?
- Read Luke 4:22-44. What sticks out to you in this passage? What questions do you have?
- How does Jesus authority over all things help us to be courageous?
- What is something in your life that you are regularly afraid of? Ask God to help you remember Jesus is with you and help you trust in Jesus protection of you.