Queen's Road Cell

5. Keep question 1 in mind as you answer these questions.  a. Who accepted the gospel in 8:26-40?   An Ethiopian eunuch. If the man was a physical eunuch ihe could not have been a proselyte. He would have been a 'god-fearer' However, the term could also be used to refer simply to a court official.   The church did not simply ‘stumble upon’ the idea of evangelizing the Gentiles; it did so in accordance with God’s deliberate purpose (Marshall) A desert road 'at noon' (8:26, alternate reading) would be not well-travelled. Philip required specific divine direction for an improbable effort.   And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” - there was specific direction again.   God obviously does not reveal himself to all men equally. b. What status did this kind of person have with the Jews (see Deuteronomy 23:1)? Considered unfit to join the assembly of the Lord, to be a full part of God's people. c. How was this person’s conversion signific...

1. How is the kingdom of God like a. A mustard seed (13:18-19)   The mustard seed is the 'smallest of all the seeds on earth' (Mk 4:31) - an agricultural rather than a botanical description. From insignificance it grows into significance until it becomes a blessing to the nations (Ezek. 17:23; 31:6; Dan. 4:12, 21). The kingdom will be universal. b. Yeast (13:20-21) Yeast/leaven works invisibly and silently to exert its effects. Once it enters within, a small amount carries disproportionate impact and transforming power. "Three measures" is a large amouht.     2. In what sense is the door to the kingdom wide open (13:18-19, 28-30)?  It is open to all peoples of the world, both Jews and Gentiles.     3. In what sense is the door narrow (13:25, 27)?  On what basis will some people try to enter the kingdom after it is too late (13:26)? Explain in your own words what Jesus is geting at.  Not all who think themselves deserving of the Kingdom will be ...

 A note on the women following Jesus: It was uncommon for a rabbi to allow women to accompany him. Luke is the gospel that most highlights Jesus' interaction with women. Mary Magdalene has been (wrongly) identified as the 'sinner' of the previous passage. The women came from different backgrounds. Many other women (the Greek of 'many others' and 'their' is feminine) supported Jesus' ministry.  1. What main point is Jesus trying to commuicate in this parable to the crowds who flocked around Him(see 8:5-8, 11-15)? The Parable of the Sower (Mt 13:3-9, Mk 4:3-9) is given on the background of large/great crowds.  because there are those to whom 'is given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God' (v.10), whereas those outside the kingdom are taught in parables in order that they may not 'see... and.. understand' (cf Is 6:9-10). 'Secrets' (Gk mysteria ) are truths which we could never discover for ourselves, but which God has revealed....

 4. Why is it crucial that God "saved" and "called" us not because of anything we have done? (1:9). 1:9 tells us 3 more things about our salvation and calling: It leads to "holly calling". The "call" of God to salvation is at the same time a call to holiness, not a call to complacency. The truly called will strive for true holiness. It is "because of his own purpose and grace".Titus 3:5 says, "he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy", and Eph 2:8-9 says, "F or by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9  not a result of works, so that no one may boast.". We do not merit salvation. It is all of grace. Even the faith needed to save is a gift, not earned. Because "no one may boast", no one will get glory except the gracious One who saves. It is "given us in Christ Jesus before the ages began...