SMALL CORE CONVICTIONS CURRICULUM
GROUPS
Jesus Christ
“RED LETTERS”
A study in the Gospel of Luke
LUKE 1:26-38 / Glorious and Lowly: How Jesus Christ is the Hope of the World
LARGE GROUP
1. Name someone of significant influence today. Why do they have that influence? Who would have been
in the same position 100 years ago? (for instance, if your answer was President Obama, who was
president [no cheating ;)] 100 years ago?)
SMALL GROUP (4-6 people)
OBSERVATION
2.Read Luke 1:26-38. What is repeated in this passage?
3.List all the descriptions of Mary.
4.List the promises of God to Mary.
INTERPRETATION
5.Compare and contrast Zechariah’s response to Gabriel (in Luke 1:18) with Mary’s response to Gabriel (in
Luke 1:38).
6.How does Gabriel respond to Zechariah? Why? Why is that important?
APPLICATION
7. What barriers do you see to God’s favor in your life?
8.How do you attempt to overcome them?
9.How can you be more like Mary regarding these barriers?
PRAYER: Repent of any proud self-reliance (trusting in things other than God for “favor”). Pray for the
person on your left. Pray that God would continue to reveal the false barriers and pride that exist and how
the Gospel addresses those barriers.
LUKE 3:1-20 / Generosity: The Fruit of Repentence
LARGE GROUP
1. Before this Sunday’s message, how would you define repentance?
SMALL GROUP (4-6 people)
OBSERVATION
2.Read Luke 3:1-20. List the characters in the story.
3.Who are the crowds that came to see John the Baptist? What did John tell them when they came?
INTERPRETATION
4.Why would John begin his message to the crowds in this way?
5.Read Matthew 25:31-46, Luke 19:8-10 and James 2:14-17. How are generosity to the poor, repentance and
salvation connected?
“We can’t be motivated by guilt but by what Jesus has done for us.” (Aaron Ritter)
APPLICATION
6.Consider our objections to generosity to the poor and needy shared in the message: 1) It’s difficult. 2) I
earned it, they don’t deserve it. 3) They will abuse it. How does the Gospel (Titus 3:1-8) address our
objections?
7. How do these considerations and Jesus’ words in Luke 12:32-34 and Luke 14:12-14 affect your view of
charity? How might your generosity be more in accord with the Gospel this year?
“I fear there are some Christians among you to whom Christ cannot say “Well done, good and faithful
servant.” Your haughty dwelling arises amidst thousands that have scarce a fire to warm themselves
at and have but little clothing to keep out the biting frost. You heave a sigh perhaps at a distance but
you do not visit them. Ah my dear friends I am concerned for the poor but more for you. I don’t know
what Christ will say to you on the great day. You seem to be Christians and yet you don’t care for his
poor. What a change will pass upon you as you enter the gates of heaven. You will be saved but that
will be all. There will be no abundant entrance for you. He that soweth sparingly reaps sparingly. And
I fear that there may be many hearing me that now know they are not Christians because they do not
love to give. To give largely and liberally, not grudging at all, requires a new heart. An old heart would
rather part with its life blood than its money. So friends, enjoy your money. Make the most of it. Give
none of it away. For I can tell you, you will be beggars throughout eternity.”
(Robert Murray McCheyne)
PRAYER: Pray for the person on your right. Pray that the Gospel would be so clear to them that they
would repent of any selfish hoarding and become truly generous.
Red Letters – 2 / 13
LUKE 5:1-11 / “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”
LARGE GROUP
1. Describe a community (or a friendship) that has affected you deeply. What were its characteristics
(openness, purpose, commitment, leadership, etc)?
SMALL GROUP (4-6 people)
OBSERVATION
2.Read Luke 5:1-11. Using one-word descriptions (e.g. “preach”, “fish”, etc), outline the events in this passage.
INTERPRETATION
3.What was Jesus preaching? (Use any other parallel references you can find)
4.Why is it significant that Jesus took these disciples fishing?
5.What do Peter’s responses tell us about becoming fishers of men?
APPLICATION
6.Is your trust in the Gospel bringing in boatloads of fish (metaphorically speaking – in your life and in
others)? If not, what might be the limitation... the message? the approach? the leader (or, say it another
way, who you are following)?
7. What could you change this year in:
a. The message you believe and speak?
b. Your approach to fishing (or making disciples)?
c. The one who leads you?
PRAYER: Pray for the person on your left. Pray that they would have clarity in the Gospel, desire to make
disciples, Spirit-led creativity to see this happen, and humility in it all.
Red Letters – 3 / 13
LUKE 6:27-36 / “He said it.”
LARGE GROUP
1. Is it hard for you to receive gifts? Why or why not?
SMALL GROUP (4-6 people)
OBSERVATION
2.Read Luke 6:27-36. What does Jesus require in this passage?
INTERPRETATION
3.Why does he require it?
APPLICATION
4.Why do we need to be free from the desire to be spoken-well-of? How does that affect us? What does
that have to do with love?
5.How do we obey this incredible requirement of life in the Kingdom of God?
6.How does the cross change us?
PRAYER: Pray for the person on your right. Pray that the Gospel would be so clear to them that they
would repent of any selfish hoarding and become truly generous.
“The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount produces despair in the natural man–the very thing Jesus
meant it to do. As long as we have a self-righteous, conceited notion that we can carry out Our Lord’s
teaching, God will allow us to go on until we break our ignorance over some obstacle, then we are willing
to come to Him as paupers and receive from Him. ‘Blessed are the paupers in spirit,’ that is the first
principle in the Kingdom of God. The bedrock in Jesus Christ’s kingdom is poverty, not possession; not
decisions for Jesus Christ, but a sense of absolute futility–I cannot begin to do it. Then Jesus says–Blessed
are you. That is the entrance, and it does take us a long while to believe we are poor!” (Oswald Chambers)
Red Letters – 4 / 13
LUKE 7:36-50 / “He who is forgiven much, loves much.”
LARGE GROUP
1. What does forgiveness mean to you?
SMALL GROUP (4-6 people)
OBSERVATION
2.Read Luke 7:36-50. List the cast of characters (and any of their descriptions) in this passage.
3.What are the main elements of the Jesus’ story of the moneylender? Who is involved? What do they
owe? What is different between them? What is the same?
INTERPRETATION
4.What does Jesus expect of people?
APPLICATION
5.Does your “wasteful worship” and “personal compassion” reveal a deep understanding of your own
forgiveness? Are their specific relationships where it is difficult to be compassionate and loving?
6.What is lacking? Do you find you compare yourself to others? Is it an attempt to find a secure identity
or a sense of right-ness?
7. How can you grow in understanding your forgiveness?
PRAYER: Read Titus 3:1-8 and let it be a guide to pray for the person on your left.
“...the Lord’s first concern is with our position at His feet and our anointing of His head. Whatever we have
as an ‘alabaster box’: the most precious thing, the thing dearest in the world to us—yes, let me say it, the
outflow from us of a life that is produced by the very Cross itself—we give that all up to the Lord. To some,
even of those who should understand, it seems a waste; but that is what He seeks above all. Often enough
the giving to Him will be in tireless service, but He reserves to Himself the right to suspend the service for
a time in order to discover to us whether it is that or Himself that holds us” (Watchman Nee)
To see the law by Christ fulfilled
And hear His pardoning voice,
Changes a slave into a child,
And duty into choice.
(William Cowper)
Red Letters – 5 / 13
LUKE 8:40-56 / “Who is this?”
LARGE GROUP
1. Describe someone you enjoy being with. Why are they a joy? (after everyone’s answer, ask “What was
missing from these descriptions?”)
SMALL GROUP (4-6 people)
OBSERVATION
2.Read Luke 8:40-56. List the cast of characters in this passage.
3.Describe the posture towards Jesus of each of them.
INTERPRETATION
4.What is Christ’s goal in these events? Does he have one? How can we know what it might be?
5.Is his goal good news for us? Why?
6.If Jesus is sovereign over demons (v. 26-39), sickness and death... why doesn’t he deliver you (or those
close to you) from your pain and struggle?
APPLICATION
7. Why is it critical for us to understand Jesus’ goals in our suffering?
8.Why is it critical to see Jesus own suffering in the midst of our suffering?
PRAYER: Read Luke 8:9-19 and let it be a guide to pray for the person on your right.
Red Letters – 6 / 13
LUKE 9:10-21 / “You give them something to eat.”
LARGE GROUP
1. Describe a time when you have been at your capacity and you were confronted with another challenge
or demand. What was going through your mind?
SMALL GROUP (4-6 people)
OBSERVATION
2.Read Luke 9:10-21. Use the back of this page (or better yet, a white-board!) and list the order of events
in Luke 9 to this point.
INTERPRETATION
3.Read vs. 10 carefully again. What is remarkable about the apostles communication (especially in light of
Luke’s account in Acts 17:27)?
4.Describe the irony in the fact that the disciples told Jesus to send the crowds away and that Jesus told
the disciples to give the crowds something to eat.
5.Recall the disciples question from Luke 8:25: “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and
water, and they obey him?” How does the feeding of these 5000 answer that? How might it confirm
that Jesus is the Messiah?
6.Why the leftovers?
APPLICATION
7. Is Jesus into running his disciples ragged? Why did he push them beyond their limits? What does that
mean for us? How do we find rest (Matt 11:28)?
8.Why is it important to act regardless of the disparity between our ability and the need before us?
(When have your limits completely stopped you from engaging with a need?)
PRAYER: Read 1 Peter 4:10-11 and pray it for the person on your left.
Red Letters – 7 / 13
LUKE 9:22 / “The Son of Man must suffer many things.”
LARGE GROUP
1. Why do we seek relationships with people who have common experiences, especially common painful
experiences?
SMALL GROUP (4-6 people)
OBSERVATION
2.Read Luke 9:22, Isaiah 52:13-53:11 and Hebrews 5:7-10. In Luke 9:22, Jesus states that the Son of Man
must suffer many things. According to the other passages, why must he suffer? Write down the specific
phrases.
INTERPRETATION
3.Why is Christ’s example in suffering important for us when we suffer?
4.Why is it important to us that Christ suffered to this degree and did not sin?
5.How do Christ’s many sufferings demonstrate his love? Why is that important for us in our own
suffering?
6.What comfort is there in Christ’s sympathy toward our suffering and struggle?
APPLICATION
7. Read Hebrews 12:1-3. What must we do in the pain of temptation or the temptation of pain?
PRAYER: Read Ephesians 3:14-19 and Romans 8:31-32 and pray these things for the person on your right.
Red Letters – 8 / 13
LUKE 9:22 / “The Son of Man must ... on the third day be raised.”
LARGE GROUP
1. What did Easter mean to you as you were growing up? What is different today?
SMALL GROUP (4-6 people)
OBSERVATION
2.Read Matthew 26:62-66. What are the chief priests and the Pharisees anticipating? What does this tell
us of Jesus’ prediction of his resurrection?
3.Read Luke 9:22 and Luke 24:13-35. What was the emotional state of these disciples prior Jesus
revealing himself?
INTERPRETATION
4.What would we expect to see of history if Jesus had not risen from the dead? What would we expect to
see if he had? What is the most logical explanation for the propagation of Christianity during the 200
years following Jesus’ death?
5.Read Romans 4:25, 1 Corinthians 15:25-26, Hebrews 2:14-15, and 1 Peter 1:3-5. What are implications of
the Resurrection of Christ for those who have trusted him?
APPLICATION
6.In the message, Mitch stated that Jesus being who he says he is and accomplishing what he said he
would accomplish brings us “joyful humility” and “enduring hope”? How is that practical? How would
real joy, humility and hope affect your biggest struggles today? Or, say it another way, where is your
lack of joy, humility or hope damaging your soul and those around you?
PRAYER: Pray for the person on your right, pray that a deepening belief in the historical reality of Christ’s
resurrection would bring them “joyful humility” and “enduring joy”.
Red Letters – 9 / 13
LUKE 9:23-27 / “Christ lives in you so He can live His life through you.”
LARGE GROUP
1. How comfortable are you with the concept of “delayed gratification”? Where have you seen losing
something ultimately end in gain?
SMALL GROUP (4-6 people)
OBSERVATION
2.Read Luke 9:23-27. What requirements does Jesus place on those who would desire to follow him?
What reason does he give for those requirements?
INTERPRETATION
3.Verse 23 contains the first mention of the cross in Luke’s Gospel. Why is the mention of it significant
here? What word/idea from our modern context could be used instead of “cross”?
4.In recounting his story Craig stated one of his life lessons: “Christ lives in you so He can live His life
through you.” So Christ’s saves us so we will follow Him, following Him will require us to take up a cross,
and all of this is so He might live His life through us. So... what’s in it for us? Is that even a good question
to ask?
5.In verses 57-62 of Luke, Jesus addresses three men who desire to follow Him. What else do we discover
about Christ’s requirements for His followers? In the message Craig mentioned Psalm 90:12 and
2 Corinthians 6:2:
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. (Ps 90.12 ESV)
Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he
says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is
the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6.1–2 ESV)
Why does Jesus require that we not wait (for any reason) to take on the radical requirements of
following Him?
APPLICATION
6.When have you denied yourself in following Christ? What was the result in the world and in your soul?
7. (Here’s a goal for this question: have everyone answer!) In what ways (specifically) could you be more
responsive to Christ’s call in your own life? What is holding you back?
PRAYER: Pray for the person on your left. Pray for their answer to #7. Pray that they would see the
rewards of following Christ as they really are – infinitely greater than seeking life anywhere else.
Red Letters – 10 / 13
LUKE 10:25-37 / The Good Samaritan
LARGE GROUP
1. When have you benefited from someone’s mercy toward you? What did it cost them? What did it do for
you?
SMALL GROUP (4-6 people)
OBSERVATION
2.First, read Luke 10:25-37, then read Luke 10:17-24. What is the context (the setting and timing) of Jesus’
interaction with the lawyer in Luke 10:25?
3.Read Luke 11:45-52. What is the substance of Jesus’ rebuke of the lawyers in that passage? What insight
does that give us into the lawyer in Luke 10?
INTERPRETATION
4.In the parable, why is it significant that a priest and a Levite passed by this “half dead” man?
5.What does the detail of the Samaritan’s care suggest of his heart? Where does genuine compassion
lead us?
6.Where would Jesus’ command “You go, and do likewise” have left this lawyer?
APPLICATION
7. How would Jesus tell this parable to you?
8.What justifications for the lack of mercy in your life does this parable destroy?
9.What needs to change? How will it change?
PRAYER: Pray for the person on your left and for your whole church. Pray for a revolution in mercy that
Jesus intends to exist wherever He is King.
Red Letters – 11 / 13
LUKE 10:38-11:4 / Pray Moms, Pray
LARGE GROUP
1. Give and example of a time when you were so busy with a certain responsibility that you missed the
whole point of that responsibility.
SMALL GROUP (4-6 people)
OBSERVATION
2.Read the passage (Luke 10:38 – 11:4). Carefully list everything that is revealed about each sister in the
account.
3.Read John 11:1-44 and 12:1-3. Although these events occur after the account in Luke, what can we learn
about each sister from them?
4.What is the substance of Jesus’ correction of Martha?
INTERPRETATION
5.Why is Martha distracted? From what is she distracted?
6.Why does just point out to Martha that what Mary has chosen will not be taken from her? What could
be taken from Martha?
7. What is significant about Mary’s address to Jesus in verse 40?
8.What is “the good portion?” What does Jesus plain (unadjusted) speech about “the one thing” reveal
about what Jesus wants from us? What does the Lord’s prayer reveal about this good portion?
APPLICATION
9.Why is it hard to choose “the one thing?” What would it look like in your own life? Do you see that it
would be helpful for you? How?
10. Will this approach (choosing the “one thing”) result in inactivity? Why or why not?
PRAYER: Pray for the person on your right. Pray that they would see where the details of their duties have
overshadowed the point of their duties. Pray that would be deeply refreshed and at peace as they chose
the good portion.
Red Letters – 12 / 13
LUKE 11:33-36 / Life as Solar-powered Flashlight
LARGE GROUP
1. We have all misunderstood some communication in our lives. Recount a time when misunderstanding
led you to hear something completely different from what was intended.
SMALL GROUP (4-6 people)
OBSERVATION
2.Read the passage (Luke 11:33-36). How many lamps are referred to in this passage? Looking at the
context (Luke 11:29-32), what might they represent?
3.What caution/command is given in Luke 11:33-36? Why?
INTERPRETATION
4.Read the similar passage in Luke 8:16-18. Again, considering the context of these two passages, what is
the lamp that is to be put on a stand (11:33 and 8:16)?
5.In verse 11:35 Jesus cautions his listeners to be careful lest the light in them be darkness and in verse
8:18 he cautions his listeners to “take care then how you hear.” It seems that he is cautioning them to
carefully listen to what he is saying. Look at Luke 11:14-32, here Jesus corrects misunderstandings that
would prevent his listeners from rightly understanding his message. Look for them and list them, with
one column for “Wrong view” and one for “Jesus’ correction”.
6.Where do you see similar misunderstandings of Jesus, his message and his mission today? How do they
affect us? (Why is important to see these and correct them?)
APPLICATION
7. How can we be more careful to see and hear Jesus rightly?
PRAYER: Pray for the person on your left. Pray that they would see Jesus in his rightful place and correctly
understand his mission and that, because they do, the Gospel would make them “wholly bright” to the
world around them.
Red Letters – 13 / 13