The Greatest in the Kingdom of God

Luke 9:46-62

Key Verse: 9:48

“Then he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all—he is the greatest.’”

1.      Read verse 46. What were the disciples arguing about? What does this argument reveal about the disciples’ human ambition? Why were they like this? (Php 2:3-4)

2.      Read verses 47-48. How did Jesus teach them about greatness? What does it mean to welcome a little child in Jesus’ name? What kind of mind and heart must one have to do this? What promise does Jesus give to the one who welcomes the child in his name?

3.      What lessons can we learn from Jesus about the essence of true greatness? What does it mean that the least is the greatest? (Mk 10:42-45; 1Co 15:9-10)

4.      Read verses 49-50. Why did John and the others want to stop a man from driving out demons in Jesus’ name? What does this tell about John’s thought world? How did Jesus respond? What did he teach the disciples and us?

5.      Read verses 51-56. At this point in his ministry, what firm decision did Jesus make? (51) What would happen to Jesus in Jerusalem? (9:22) Why was Jesus resolute in setting his direction toward Jerusalem? What was his real destination?

6.      Why did Jesus want to go through Samaria? Why did the people in Samaria refuse to welcome Jesus? (Jn 4:9) How did James and John respond? Why? How did Jesus respond? What can we learn here about Jesus? (Eph 2:14)

7.      Read verses 57-62. What do these three events have in common? How are they different? What do they teach us about the cost of following Jesus? What do they teach us about the mission of a disciple? What does this whole passage (46-62) teach us about being a disciple of Jesus?