For the message, The Supernatural Authority of Jesus given by Pastor John Ferguson at New City Church of Calgary

on February 2, 2014 These discussion questions are designed to help you reflect upon and apply the message from the Scriptures. You can use these by yourself for reflection, or with your family or small group for discussion.

Discussion Questions: Luke 8:26-39

Introduction:

! Do you find it easy to believe that there are supernatural (ie., non-human) entities who are evil? Why or why not? Has this always been the case with you? Have your views changed? If so, what was the impetus? ! Read Luke 8:36-39. ! Questions: ! 1. In our text, Jesus is met by a man who had demons (vs. 27) & was demon-possessed (vs. 36). What some of the features of the text that show his strangeness? ! are No doubt this looks like it might be a scene out of Hollywood. Now compare this with what we learn of

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! 2. ! ! 3. ! 4. ! ! ! 5. ! ! 6. ! 7. !

Satan from the Apostle Paul: Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising then if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:14). What does Paul seem to teach here about a different tactic that the Evil One might use from the one in our text from Luke?

Look up John 8:39-45, the account of a conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders of his day. What do we learn about Satans tactics, especially from vs. 44? Can you think of some lies from the father of lies that have a grip on our city? The demons who delighted in torturing this man seemed like sniveling cowards in the presence of Jesus, one powerful enough to torment them. What do we learn about their destiny (& the destiny of their leader) from Revelation 20:10? In our passage in Luke, there were two markedly different responses to Jesus. How does the text describe the response of the man who had been healed? Do you find anything curious or interesting about his response? How does the text describe the response of the people when they saw the man healed and then heard how he was healed? Do you find anything curious or interesting about his response? (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:4). Compare and contrast the response of Jesus to each audience? How did Jesus respond to the request by the healed man? How did Jesus respond to the crowd? Does his response surprise you? Pastor John mentioned a quote by CS Lewis, There are only two kinds of peoplethose who say to God, Thy will be done, and those to whom God says in the end, They will be done. All that are in hell choose it. What do you make of this quote? How does it illustrate this passage? What does it assume about Jesus and Heaven? Jesus and Hell? (again, cf. with the desire of the people in the text). Jesus invited this man healed of demons to join him in his mission. It entailed telling everyone how much God had done for him. So he goes off and tells everyone how much Jesus had done for him. Read Colossians 1:13-14. How does this text illustrate each Christians rescue story?

! Conclusion: ! ! What is the one thing you want to take away from this study to remember or to make a change in your ! Renewing your mind: ! ! Isaiah 43, Fear not, for I have redeemed; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass

life? How does this text help you understand your need for Jesus? How does this text challenge you to follow him?

through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you.