December 15 | Discovery Questions

December 15: Discovery Questions (based on Luke 3:21-22; 9:18-21; 22:63-71)  

1. When people look at you, what perceptions (good or bad) do they develop about you? How do incorrect assumptions about you make you feel? 

Ask two people to read aloud Luke 3:21-22; 9:18-21; 22:63-71, one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask a third person to briefly summarize the passage. 

2. In Luke 3:21-22, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and the spirit descended upon him like a dove and the Father said, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 

• Why do you think Jesus presented himself to be baptized by John the Baptist? He had no sin, so why be baptized? 

• What is the significance of Luke noting that Jesus was praying as this happened? 

3. The “Great Confession” is recorded in Luke 9:18-21, Mark 8:27-30, Matthew 16:13-20. Compare and contrast the three Gospel accounts of this event.  

4. Why do you think Jesus asked this question of the disciples at this time? 

• What do we learn from the initial responses to Jesus’ question?  

• How important to Christianity is Peter’s response? See Matt. 16:17-20 and note that Jesus isn’t calling Peter the rock, but he’s referring to Peter’s statement as the “rock” upon which the church is built. 

5. Why do you suppose Jesus warned the disciples not to tell anyone who he is (Luke 9:21; Mark 8:30)? 

6. As you read Luke 22:61-63, how does it make you feel? What are your thoughts about Jesus? Why do you think Jesus responded as he did to those he faced? 

7. When comparing all three of the passages from Luke’s Gospel and Jesus’ consistent identification of himself, what do we learn about Jesus? What does it mean to us as Jesus followers today? 

8. Based on our study and discussion, complete the sentence: “I will …” 

For Next Week: Read and reflect on Luke 2:1-20. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts and the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.   

This lesson segment concludes our study through the entire Bible. In January we will begin formatting the past six years of The Lookout lesson material (topically and as individual books of the Bible) in an updated lesson series, “1717 Studies: Your Word Is Truth.” The first in the new series, a study of Galatians, is available now for you to download and use at no cost. We hope you’ll join us in our effort to make the Word of God accessible, understandable, and appliable to groups and individuals.