Luke Bible Studies

Doing Bible study like it could save the planet.

Is Bible Study another Christian chore? Or is it something radical and transforming?

Is the Bible just a source-book for spiritual ideals? Or can we actually take it seriously in our own lives?

Our experience is that studying the Bible together with people from different age-groups and different backgrounds can unlock unseen treasure. Well-worn passages, stories we've known for many years, spring back to life.

It all depends on what we expect when we start.

Doing Bible Study like it could save the planet begins with:

Expecting to be transformed by the passage.

Beginning by letting the passage speak for itself.

Using the questions to push us towards taking it more seriously.

Looking for real parallels in our own lives.

Letting the passage have the final word.

Bible Study Questions on The Gospel of Luke

In comparison to the other gospels, this Gospel, written by the Greek doctor who also wrote the book of Acts, lays a special emphasis on the human nature of the Lord Jesus, though witnessing also with no doubtful voice to Christ's deity. In Luke we see sympathy with the suffering and bereaved, the despised and the outcast, and the universal nature of the Gospel, intended for foreigners as well as Jews. The free offer of salvation and the impossibility of acquiring merit come out again and again.

Luke 1:1-25
1. What do we learn from the 'preface' to the book, in verse 1-4, about (a) the sources of Luke's information, (b) the care which he took to verify his facts, (c) the importance which he attached to giving a truthful record?
2. What was the mission assigned to John the Baptist? What was the nature of his greatness (v.15)? See also verse 66 and Matt. 11:10,11,14.

Luke 1:26-38
1. In what sense was Mary 'highly favoured' (verse 28,30)?
2. What do verses 31-33,35 say about the person and destiny of the promised child?
3. How does Mary's reaction to Gabriel's message (vs. 29, 34,38) compare to Zacharias' attitude in the previous passage (esp. v. 18)?

Luke 1:39-56
1. What principle of God's working is revealed in the manner of the Saviour's coming? See verse 51-53 and 1 Cor. 1:26-31.
3. What can we learn from this song the kind of person that Mary was?

Luke 1:57-80
(A 'horn of salvation" (v.69) is someone who has strength to bring about salvation. The horn of an animal was a common symbol of strength and power.)
1. What divine attributes are extolled in Zechariah's song?
2. What kind of salvation did Zechariah envisage in this song? And how did the salvation Jesus brought eventually work out?

Luke 2:1-20
1. How do verses 1-7 illustrate the control of God over all, bringing to pass His own purposes through the free actions of people? Cf. 1:70; Micah 5:2; Titus 1:3.
2. What can we learn from the angel's message and the rejoicing of the heavenly host concerning the importance of the birth of Jesus?
3. How are the shepherds an example to us in the manner of their response to the divine word of revelation?

Luke 2:41-52
1. What consciousness of his unique relationship with God shines out in Jesus' words here, and what must be the necessary consequence in His life? (See verse 49.)

Luke 3:1-20
1. According to John the Baptist's message in vs. 2-14 neither the forms of religion nor a godly ancestry can help us to escape God's judgement. What is the only thing that can?
2. Verse 16 has been fulfilled. How far has verse 17 been fulfilled, and when will its fulfilment be completed?
3. What did John the Baptist tell (a) the crowd, (b) the tax collectors, and (c) the soldiers to do? How do these instructions apply to us?
4. What do these verses teach us about the character of John the Baptist?
5. If the Baptist's message was a message of repentance (vs. 3), then why did he take so much time and trouble to tell people they were sinners heading for judgement? Can we learn anything from this about the way we should present the Gospel to our friends and family?

Luke 3:21-38
1. How did the Holy Spirit manifest Himself during Jesus' baptism?
2. What do you think the people who witnessed this event thought and felt about it?

Luke 4:1-13
1. How does this account show that temptation and sin are not the same thing (cf. Heb. 4:15)?
2. What moment did Satan use for his attack and why do you think he did this?
3. Looking at each of the three temptations separately, what was the special characteristic of each, and how did Jesus respond in each case? (Cf. Ephesians 6:17, the 'sword of the Spirit'.)

Luke 4:31-37
1. Why were the people so amazed at (a) Jesus' teaching (v. 32) and (b) at the way He dealt with the demon-possessed man (v. 36)?
2. What are the similarities and differences between demon-possession and a state of mental illness and how should we treat people suffering from either of these?

Luke 4:38-44
1. What can we learn from this passage about Jesus' popularity with the people of Capernaum? Why do you think they wanted Him to stay (v. 42)?
2. What did Jesus do instead and why?

Luke 5:1-11
1. How did this event help Simon Peter and the other disciples to realise who Jesus was?
2. Have you had similar incidents and events in your life that helped you to understand more about Christ?
3. What effect did his understanding of Jesus' identity have on Peter's view of himself? (v.8) Does this surprise you? Why?

Luke 5:12-16
1. Sometimes people doubt Christ's power to save, and sometimes his willingness. Of which was the man with leprosy doubtful, and how did Christ reassure him? What may we learn from this incident in relation to our own need?
2. Verse 16 says that Jesus often withdrew to pray in a lonely place. Do you think this is a habit that Christians should develop too? Why?

Luke 5:17-26
1. Why did the Pharisees and the teachers of the law interpret Jesus' words in v. 20 as blasphemy (v.21)?
2. How did the miracle Jesus perform in vs. 24,25 show that Jesus had in fact not committed blasphemy?

Luke 5:27-31
1. What was Jesus' purpose in eating and drinking with tax collectors and 'sinners'? (See v.31,32 and explain.)
2. Should Christians associate with those that our society looks down on? (What do this passage and other related Bible verses say?)

Luke 6:1-11
1. Pharisaic teaching contained very clear and strict rules about the way in which the Sabbath should be kept. God's law allowed the people to pick food from a field they were walking through if they were hungry (Deut. 23:24,25), but the Pharisees would not allow this on a Sabbath day because it was 'work'. Similarly, healing a sick person would be 'work'.
What does this passage tell us about Jesus' attitude towards (a) Old Testament teaching and (b) additional rules and restrictions?
2. What can we learn from this about any rules and restrictions Christians may impose on each other?
3. Why were the Pharisees and the teachers of the law so furious (v. 11)? How does this help us to understand 'religious anger' in certain people in our time?

Luke 6:12-26
1. The excitement of the people was increasing (v. 17-19) and the hostility of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law and growing more intense (v. 11). What special action did Jesus take (v. 12,13)? Do you think this was an obvious choice?
2. What special comfort is there in v. 20-23 for those who are persecuted or treated badly because of their faith in Christ?
3. What warning is given in v. 24-26 to those who are very comfortable with the life they have and do not believe they need God?

Luke 6:27-36
1. Jesus gives several commands in this passage, and they are all related. Which of these do you find the most difficult?
2. What would help you to be obedient to even this command of Jesus?

Luke 6:37-42
1. What does verse 42 mean and how is it related to verse 37?
2. Give an example of how this passage applies to your own life.

Luke 6:43-45
1. What does this passage teach about our words and the things we say?
2. How can we make sure our words are beneficial to others? (See also Ephesians 4:29)

Luke 6:46-49
1. When the 'house' of our life is tested, what alone will enable it to stand? (Cf. James 1:22.)

Luke 7:11-17
1. What do verses 11-17 teach us about Christ's compassion for people? How can this help us as we pray for those in need?
2. How did the people of Nain respond to this miracle? (See v. 16.)

Luke 7:18-35
1. What doubts does the question of John the Baptist (vs. 18,19) reveal? How would Jesus' reply in vs. 22,23 help John to believe that Jesus was indeed the one who was to come?
2. Why was John the Baptist more than a prophet (vs. 27,28)?
3. What does this passage teach (a) about God's patience and mercy and (b) about the personal responsibility of those who hear the Gospel being preached?

Luke 7:36-50
1. How did Jesus prove to this Pharisee that it was not ignorance which made Him allow this woman to anoint his feet?
2. What does this passage tell us about the things that Jesus looks for in those who receive forgiveness?

Luke 8:1-15
1. What light do verses 1-3 throw on  the way our Lord and the twelve were supported financially at this time?
2. What sorts of people do the four soils represent? And how does this parable help us understand why people can hear the same sermon or Gospel explanation and yet respond in such different ways?

Luke 8:16-18
1. What does this passage teach us about the way Jesus wants His followers to live? And how does this apply to you?

Luke 8:19-21
1. What does verse 21 mean?

Luke 8:22-25
1. Was it fair of Jesus to ask 'where is your faith' (v. 25)? Would He ask us the same question in a similar situation? (Explain your answer.)
2. What does verse 25 tell us about the understanding Jesus' disciples had of who He really was?

Luke 8:40-56
1. When the crowds nearly crushed Jesus as He was on His way to Jairus' house, someone touched Him, whose touch was different. How was it different and why do you think Jesus insisted on her admitting that it was she who had touched Him?
2. Why do you think Jesus ordered Jairus and his wife not to tell anyone that He had healed their daughter (v. 56)?

Luke 9:1-9
1. In vs. 1-6 the Twelve were sent out to preach and heal. What lessons do you think they would learn in preparation for their future ministries? And what do you think would be the effect on the places they visited?
2. What rumours were going around about Jesus' identity (v. 7-8)? What do these rumours reveal about people's understanding of Jesus?
3. What do you think is the significance of Herod's attempts to meet Jesus (v. 9)?

Luke 9:10-17
1. What can we learn from this passage about Jesus' concern for both our physical and our spiritual needs? And how does that compare to the conviction of many people that God will take care of our spiritual needs if we let Him but we have to take care of our physical needs (food, health, accommodation) ourselves?

Luke 9:18-27
1. What was the difference between the people's view of Jesus and that of the apostles? What would you say if Jesus asked you, "Who do you say I am?" Why?
2. What new disclosure did Jesus now make concerning His future path? And what demands did He make on those who would follow Him? And what claims did He make for himself?

Luke 9:28-36
1. How would this event have prepared the disciples for Jesus' death and resurrection? (cf. 2 Peter 1:16-18)
2. Why do you think the disciples told no-one at the time what they had seen (v. 36)?

Luke 9:37-45
1. Why were people so amazed when Jesus healed the demon-possessed boy (v. 43)? What do you think they understood about Jesus' identity?
2. The disciples understood by now that Jesus was the promised Messiah (see vs.19,20), but they did not yet understand what He told them about the suffering that was to come (v. 45). Why do you think this was so difficult to understand?

Luke 9:46-56
1. What can we learn from these verses about pride and humility in the Kingdom of God?

Luke 9:57-62
1. What can we learn from this passage about the costs of following Jesus? And why do you think Jesus pointed this out to these two men?

Luke 10:1-24
1. What do verses 1-16 show of the passion for evangelism in Jesus' heart?
2. How does verse 2 apply today?
3. How does Jesus' joy in verse 21 compare to his disappointment in 9:41-42? What grieves Him and what makes Him glad?
4. What do verses 17-24 teach concerning (a) the greatness of our privilege in Christ; (b) the Father's way of working (v. 21; cf. 1 Cor. 1:26-28); (c) Jesus' unique relationship to the Father?

Luke 10:25-37
1. How did Jesus show this expert of the law that the law has a deeper and greater meaning than he thought?
2. Give an example of how we in our days can 'love our neighbours'.

Luke 10:38-42
1. With what differing matters were Martha and Mary concerned? Which did Jesus think the more important, and how did He solve the issue?

Luke 11:1-13
1. How does this passage teach us that it is always worth our while to pray?
2. What gift especially does God gladly give to those who ask (v.13)?

Luke 11:14-28
1. How did Jesus show that the charge that He cast out demons by the devil's aid is false?

Luke 11:29-32
1. What is the sign of Jonah that Jesus mentions in verse 29?

Luke 11:33-36
1. How can we 'see to it that the light inside us is not darkness' (v. 36)?

Luke 11:37-54
1. What three things does Jesus hold against the Pharisees in this passage (vs. 39,42,43)? And how do these three accusations apply in our days?
2. What three charges does He level against the teachers of the law, and what judgement does He say is on its way?
3. How can we avoid making the same mistakes as the Pharisees and the experts in the law?

Luke 12:13-21
1. What does verse 15 mean? And how is this illustrated in the parable of vs. 16-21?
2. How do you think we can we develop a healthy Christian attitude towards money?

Luke 12:22-34
1. Why is it wrong to worry about having enough to eat and to wear? What should we do instead?

Luke 12:35-48
1. What does 'being ready' for the Lord's return mean? What aspects of readiness and unreadiness are shown in this passage?

Luke 12:49-59
1. Jesus knew He was going to endure the cross which, while it brings salvation, also brings division and judgement. What warning did the Lord give to His disciples about the former (verses 51-53) and what to the multitude about the latter (verses 54-59)?

Luke 13:1-9
1. How does Jesus here show the need to repent, but also God's patience?

Luke 13:10-17
1. How did Jesus use the people's own habits to show them their hypocrisy? Do you think it is possible for us Christians to fall into the same trap as these people, by applying our own rules and forgetting about God's love and compassion for people?

Luke 13:18-21
1. In God's kingdom, small things can have huge effects (vs. 18-20). Give an example of how this teaching applies to your life.

Luke 13:22-30
1. Can you think of people nowadays who ask the same question as the person in verse 23?  How can Jesus' answer in v. 24-30 help them?
2. How does this passage remind us of the truth of 2 Cor. 6:2b and that opportunities neglected may never return?

Luke 14:1-14
1. What attitude is commended in verses 7-11? And what in verses 12-14? How can we apply them today in this country?

Luke 14:15-24
1. What is the connection between the parable (vs. 16-24) and verse 15? Do you think the excuses the guests made were genuine? If not, what was the real reason they stayed away?
2. Who finally participated in the feast? What does that tell us about the people we should focus on when we try to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ?

Luke 14:25-35
1. What reason do you think Jesus had for emphasising the cost of discipleship at this time?
2. How do the two parables in verses 28-32 enforce the wisdom of counting the cost before embarking upon a life of following Jesus? What picture of Jesus do we get from this whole passage?

Luke 15: 1-10
1. What was the occasion of these three parables being spoken? (see v. 1) And how do they provide a justification of our Lord's compassion for the fallen and the despised?
2. What is the point of the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin? Are there any differences? Why would Jesus tell these two parables together, followed by a third about a lost son?

Luke 15: 11-31
1. What led the prodigal son to leave home and what led him to return?
2. How had his father regarded him during all this time?
3. What do you think the Pharisees and teachers of the law thought of the older brother (vs. 25-32)? Is there an application in this for us?

Luke 16:1-15
1. To whom was the parable in vs. 1-9 spoken? (see v. 1.) What does it teach us? (see vs. 8,9.) And what do think any converted tax collectors would have thought of it?
2. How do vs. 10-12 show that Jesus was not condoning dishonest practices in His references to the unjust steward?
3. How does verse 13 apply to Christians today?

Luke 16:19-31
1. How does the earthly scene in Jesus' story (vs.19-21) differ from the scene at 'Abraham's side' (v. 22,23)
2. What does this parable teach about (a) the opportunity of repentance; (b) the reality of future punishment?
3. Verse 31 gives the 'point' of this story. What does it mean?

Luke 17:1-10
1. Which of the two commandments in verse 3 do you find the most difficult, the command to rebuke the brother who sins, or the command to forgive the brother who repents?
2. According to v.6, how much faith do we need to do great things for God?
3. What do vs. 7-10 teach about our role as God's servants?

Luke 17:11-19
1. How would the behaviour of the Samaritan leper as opposed to that of the other nine have shamed and embarrassed the Jews who were present?

Luke 17:20-37
1. What aspects of our Lord's return are emphasised in this passage? How will His return find the world, and how should it find His own people?

Luke 18:1-8
1. How can we 'pray for justice' (v.7)? And what does Jesus here promise if we do?

Luke 18:9-14
1. What does this parable tell us about the attitude with which God wants us to approach Him in prayer?

Luke 18:15-17
1. How can we 'receive the kingdom like a little child' (v. 17)?

Luke 18:18-30
1. What did the rich young ruler lack? And how did Jesus' challenge bring this to light? How does this tie in with Luke 9:25 and 14:26-30?
2. What do verses 29-30 mean??

Luke 18:35-43
1. Why, do you think, was the blind beggar so determined to get Jesus' attention?
2. How is the way he showed his appreciation an example to all Christians whose lives have been thoroughly changed by Christ? (see v. 43.)

Luke 19:1-10
1. Why, do you think, did Jesus choose to "be the guest of a 'sinner' (v. 7)"?
2. What important aspect of repentance is shown in v. 8?

Luke 19:11-27
1. The people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear 'at once' (v. 11). How did the parable in vs. 12-27 prepare them, and us, for the intervening time?
2. What does this parable say about the present responsibility of every follower of Christ and about future judgement? (cf. 2 Cor. 5:9,10.)
3. On what ground was the servant who made no use of the mina given to him condemned? Was the excuse he gave valid?

Luke 19:28-44
1. What was Jesus' purpose in making this public entry into Jerusalem? What picture of the nature of His kingship did He give by it? (cf. Zech. 9:9.)

Luke 19:45-48
1. Why would the chief priests, teachers of the law and the leaders want to kill Jesus (v. 47)? And why was Jesus so popular with the people (v.48)?

Luke 20:1-8
1. Why do you think Jesus answered the question put to Him in verse 2 with a question? And what was their reason not to give Him a straight answer?
2. What do you think happened in their hearts as they considered Jesus' question?

Luke 20:9-19
2. To what kind of people and attitudes does this parable refer? What claim does Jesus here openly make for Himself?
3. Compare verse 18 with Luke 19:10. What can we learn by combining these two sayings?

Luke 20:20-26
1. What do verses 19 and 20 tell us about the way the Jewish leaders thought about Jesus?
2. What does Jesus' reply in verse 25 mean? And how does it apply for us today?

Luke 20:27-40
1. The doctrine of the resurrection seemed ridiculous to the Sadducees, as illustrated by their question to Jesus in verse 33. How does Jesus' reply show they were wrong?

Luke 20:41-47
1. What is the answer to the question in verse 44? (See Rom. 1:3,4.)

Luke 21:1-4
1. What do we learn from these verses as to how God regards the gifts of His worshippers? (cf. 2 Cor. 8:2,12.)
2. Would you encourage or applaud anyone who gave 'all they had to live on' (v.4) to the work of the Lord?

Luke 21:5-38
1. In verse 6 Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple and in verses 8-19 He outlines what will happen before it is destroyed. What does He say about (a) the treatment His disciples were going to receive, and (b) their attitude under these trials? What promises does He make to them?
2. Verses 20-24 seem to be Jesus' answer to the question of 'when' asked in verse 7. Verses 25-28 are about Jesus' return. How will the attitude of Christians differ from that of other people at that time?
3. In what way should we as Christians live as we wait for Jesus' return (vs. 29-36)?

Luke 22:1-6
1. It was part of God's plan that Jesus should die for our sins. How did Jesus' enemies fit into this plan (see vs. 1-6)?
2. There are Christians who read this passage and find the thought of Satan 'taking over' Judas' will so that all he could do was to betray Jesus intimidating. How do John 12:4-6, 13:2,26,27 show that Judas had allowed Satan into his life by sinning and by giving in to temptation?

Luke 22:7-38
1. How would the way Jesus here refers to the Passover and to God's covenant help the disciples to understand later why Jesus had to die?
2. How can the desire to be important lead to problems? (See v. 24.) How does Jesus point this out and how can we deal with this in our own lives?

Luke 22:39-46
1. What can we learn from v.42 about Jesus' humanity, and what can we learn here about His desire to do God's will?
2. Why do you think Jesus told the disciples to pray that they would not fall into temptation?

Luke 22:47-53
1. What facts in verses 47-53 show that Jesus was in control of the situation and that His arrest was not an 'accident' or 'failure' on his part?

Luke 22:54-62
1. What events in vs. 33-56 eventually led to Peter's denial in 57-60? And what brought him to repentance in v.62?

Luke 22:63-71
1. Quietly consider what our Lord had to endure, as described in these verses.

Luke 23:1-25
1. What evasions of duty did Pilate make? And is does Pilate's attitude here similar to that of many people today who reject Jesus' claims?
2. How did (a) the religious leaders of the Jews, (b) Pilate, (c) Herod, and (d) the crowd show their true inward character and attitude when they had to say 'yes' or 'no' to Jesus?

Luke 23:26-43
1. What different attitudes towards our Lord are represented among those who were gathered around His cross?
2. In Islam, it is taught that Jesus did not die on the cross, but that someone else was mistaken for him and died on the cross instead. The argument is that Jesus was too good to die and God protected Him. Whilst we agree that Jesus was perfect and did not deserve to die, can you explain why God chose to allow Jesus to die in this way?

Luke 23:44-49
1. What do you think was the significance of the darkness (v.44) and the torn curtain in the temple (v.45) when Jesus died?
2. What do you think made the centurion conclude that Jesus was a 'righteous man' (v.47)?

Luke 23:50-56
1. What do these verses tell us about the opinion Joseph and these women had of the Lord at a time when His work seemed to have failed?

Luke 24:1-12
1. How do you think 'the women' (v.1) felt when they found the angels at the grave who told them Jesus had risen? Should they really have been so perplexed (vs. 6-8)?

Luke 24:13-35

1. What do we learn from this passage and also from verses 44,45 about the unity and inspiration of the Scriptures, in particular the Old Testament, and about their trustworthiness?

Luke 24:36-53
1. Why do you think the disciples found it so hard to believe that Jesus was truly risen from the dead?
2. How were the disciples finally convinced that He was indeed risen?
3. What are the fundamental facts of the Gospel that must be preached throughout the world? (vs. 46-48)
4. Why do you think the disciples were so joyful (v. 52) when Jesus had gone to heaven?

Stechford Baptist Church • Victoria Road • Stechford • Birmingham B33 8AH. Map. Stechford is in the Stechford and Yardley North Ward, and is close to Hodge Hill.