LUKE 11:14-26

MISSION SPOT

Once per term we take some time as City Light Communities to pray for the Missionaries that we support across the world.
This can be done immediately before the main discussion time, or even over dinner.

Videos are all available in the Leaders Whatsapp:

Paul & Leah 

Prayer points:

·      We have been praying for one young man who came to faith through Uni ministry in Ireland.  When his catholic family found out, they gave him an ultimatum to give it up or leave home. A few days later we heard that they had relented and let him live at home, but we continue to pray for him as he would be facing a huge amount of pressure as a new Christian in a hostile home. 

 ·      Please pray with us that we would wait well as we wait for God’s timing re. Visas. That we grow in our trust in him in this time and that we would use every opportunity to share the good news with the people God has put in our lives in the here and now.

Claire

Prayer Points

·      For God to bring miraculous healing to the people of Spain including Basque Country who have had such a painfully negative experience with the institutional church. 

·      That individual Christians and churches would reflect the true character of God by demonstrating His love, justice and mercy and do this in humility.

·      For Claire as she has conversations with her teachers and friends that she would have wisdom to share Him in a way that will help people think and re-evaluate.

Morgan & Olivia

Prayer Points

  • Pray for peace in our region and city, for protection for the vulnerable, and that many would find eternal hope in Jesus. 

  • Pray for trust, patience and wisdom as a church through this situation.

  • Pray that we, and God's people, will take our cares to the Lord more than we fixate on the news on our phones.

  • Pray for Imogen and Todd as they settle into the new school, and for Leith and Mia as they prepare for major exams at school here.

  • Pray for the students finishing the year and graduating at the Bible college.

Opening questions

  1. How do people today tend to explain the presence of evil in the world?

  2. Why do you think people can see something compelling about Jesus and still explain him away?

Read Luke 11:14–16

14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” 16 while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven.

  1. What are the different reactions to Jesus in these verses? What do those reactions reveal about the hearts of the crowd?

Read Luke 11:17–23

17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

  1. Why does Jesus say the accusation that he casts out demons by Beelzebul makes no sense?

  2. In verses 21–22, Jesus describes a strong man being overpowered by someone stronger. Who is the strong man, who is the stronger man, and what is Jesus claiming about himself?

  3. How does this Miracle give a reason to find hope even in a world where evil still exisits?

  4. Verse 23 says, “Whoever is not with me is against me.” Why does Jesus leave no room for neutrality? What might neutrality toward Jesus look like today?

Read Luke 11:24–26

24 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

  1. Why is an outwardly improved, “swept and put in order” life still in danger?

  2. How does this challenge the idea that Christianity is mainly about moral improvement?

Application

  1. Where are people today tempted to settle for spiritual tidiness rather than true surrender to Jesus? Where do you see that temptation in your own life?

  2. In Light of this passage, what might God might be calling you to change, in your thoughts, desires or actions?

  3. Prayer

Spend some time sharing and praying in groups, any areas where you need to trust in Jesus’ victory, and areas of your own life where you would like to see change as you are filled with God’s Spirit.