I. Background Information
- Map - Galilee, Capernaum
- Sabbath
- Demons - Worldview
- Context
Luke 4:31 Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, where he taught the people on the Sabbath. 32 They were all amazed at the way he taught, because he spoke with authority. 33 In the synagogue was a man who had the spirit of an evil demon in him; he screamed out in a loud voice, 34 “Ah! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Are you here to destroy us? I know who you are: you are God’s holy messenger!” 35 Jesus ordered the spirit, “Be quiet and come out of the man!” The demon threw the man down in front of them and went out of him without doing him any harm. 36 The people were all amazed and said to one another, “What kind of words are these? With authority and power this man gives orders to the evil spirits, and they come out!” 37 And the report about Jesus spread everywhere in that region. 38 Jesus left the synagogue and went to Simon’s home. Simon’s mother-in-law was sick with a high fever, and they spoke to Jesus about her. 39 He went and stood at her bedside and ordered the fever to leave her. The fever left her, and she got up at once and began to wait on them. 40 After sunset all who had friends who were sick with various diseases brought them to Jesus; he placed his hands on every one of them and healed them all. 41 Demons also went out from many people, screaming, “You are the Son of God!” Jesus gave the demons an order and would not let them speak, because they knew he was the Messiah. 42 At daybreak the next morning, Jesus left the town and went off to a lonely place to pray. The people started looking for him, and when they found him, they tried to keep him from leaving. 43 But he said to them, “I must preach the Good News about the Kingdom of God in other towns also, because that is what God sent me to do.” 44 So he preached in the synagogues throughout that part of the country.
III. Label the Text
- Underline the things that Jesus did
- Highlight v 43 where Jesus tells His goal or purpose - what He “must” do.
- Mark anything else in the text that seems important or interesting to you.
- Write any comments or ideas you have in the margins of the text.
- Write at least two questions about this text.
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IV. Reflect on the Text
Pretend you are in the town watching Jesus that day. What are your emotional reactions?
What are you learning about this Jesus?
Jesus came to preach the Good News. What are you learning about the Good News from listening and watching Jesus in this text?
V. Personal Application
The people saw signs that the Kingdom of God was near that day when Jesus was there. Are you going to Jesus - watching - listening - asking? Why or why not?
What signs of the Kingdom of God have you seen/experienced in your life as you have followed Jesus? (what has been changed or healed...?)
What signs of the Kingdom have you seen in this Christian community?
What signs of the Kingdom do you long to see - what do you pray for?
