Chapter Summary

Jesus heals on the Sabbath. Parable of the ambitious guest. Parable of the great supper. Parable of the tower, of the king going to war, and of the savorless salt.

Discussion Questions for Luke, Chapter 14

1. At the beginning of Luke 14, Jesus heals again on the Sabbath in spite of the Pharisees objections. How do we balance our respect for tradition and rules with our call to show compassion and help others, especially when their needs are urgent?
2. What is the central message of the different Feast/Banquet Parables? How does this parable challenge our understanding of humility, self-importance, and invitations? When we are invited to an event how do we show respect and humility to the one who invited us? If you are not able to attend the major event, how do you decline the invitation?
3. How can we interpret Jesus' call to carry our own crosses in the context of our modern lives? What are some practical ways we can embrace the challenges and sacrifices of discipleship?
4. The parable of the great banquet expands upon the theme of invitations and inclusivity. How does this parable contrast the reactions of those who were initially invited with the response of those considered "undesirable"? How can we apply the principle of God's invitation to our interactions with others, especially those who might be marginalized or overlooked?
5. In the context of building a tower and going to war, Jesus encourages counting the cost beforehand. How can this principle be applied to our decisions and commitments, both in our faith journey and in other aspects of life?
6. What are some potential challenges we might face when counting the cost of following Christ? How can we navigate these challenges while maintaining our focus on the eternal perspective?
7. Jesus refers to his followers as the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world." What are the implications of these metaphors for our roles as believers? How can we fulfill the responsibilities associated with being salt and light in our communities?
8. How might the concept of "losing its taste" apply to individuals or communities of faith? How can we guard against losing our spiritual vitality and influence?
9. After reading the parable about the Great Banquet, in what ways might we make excuses or prioritize other things over our spiritual growth and relationship with God? How can we align our priorities with spiritual priorities?
10. Jesus speaks about giving up possessions and taking up the cross to be his disciple. How does this teaching challenge our materialistic tendencies and consumer culture? How can we practically implement these teachings in our lives?

Key Words/Phrase

Great supper, v. 16.

Characters

Jesus, Pharisees, lawyers, man with dropsy.

Strong Verse(s)

11, 26, 27, 33.