Revolution

March 20, 2022

Luke 6:27-42

²⁷ “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹ If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. ³¹ Do to others as you would have them do to you. ³² “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. ³⁵ But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. ³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

³⁷ “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. ³⁸ Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

³⁹ He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? ⁴⁰ The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. ⁴¹ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴² How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Read Luke 6:27-36

1. This passage contains the very core of Jesus’ ethical teachings. This passage describes most clearly how Jesus wants His followers to live. Which parts of His teaching are you pretty good at practicing? Which parts of His teaching are most difficult for you to follow on a regular basis?
2. Many of us do not have actual enemies. When you read this passage, who comes to mind as someone Jesus would want you to love better? What can you do this week to express love to that person? Will you do it?
3. Verse 35 suggests two motives to do what Jesus is teaching. What are those motives? Which of those two motives is most compelling for you? Why?

Read Luke 6:37-38

1. Very often verse 38 has been used to inspire people to give financially to a church or charitable organization. In view of Jesus’ words in verse 37, do you think this is the kind of giving Jesus is talking about? Why or why not?
2. Work together to compile a list of reasons people might give money to a church. Which of those reasons resonate with you personally? Which of them fail to motivate you personally?
3. Who do you know that you might tend to judge, condemn and not forgive? What would it look like to give to them? How difficult would that be for you?

Read Luke 6:39-42

1. What character qualities are needed if we are going to deal properly with the planks in our own eyes? What character weaknesses get in the way?
2. Think about some of the ‘planks in your eye’ that you have dealt with in the past. How did you become aware of them? How did you deal with them?
3. Are you aware of any ‘planks in your eye’ right now? What is your next step in dealing with them?