Discussion Questions: Luke 10:17-20

For the message, Following Jesus on a New Journey given by Pastor John Ferguson
at New City Church of Calgary on July 20, 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.

Introduction:

How do you tend to define joy? Do you define it differently than happiness?

Read Luke 10:17-20.

Questions:

1. The disciples returned from the mission that Jesus sent them on. It seems like it was a huge success.
Ministering in Jesus name, they even had power and authority over malevolent spirits which seemed to
surprise the disciples.

What does the text tell us was their state of mind? Was this appropriate, or not? Why or why not?

2. Jesus gives them a glimpse into what is going on behind the scenes in the spiritual world. Look up
Revelation 12:9-10 to see a description of Satan falling from heaven.

What kinds of questions does this bring to your mind?

3. Jesus told them what should give them the greatest cause for joy. How did Jesus express it?

Do you think Jesus was condemning any other kind of joy? Or was he making a comparison?

4. In the study, Pastor John said that we can know that our names are written in the book of life not by looking
at the actual book of life in heaven to see if our names are written there, but by trusting in Jesus (which is
how we know anything about salvation).

What did he mean by that?

5. How should a joyful assurance of the salvation that Christ Jesus freely give to all who believe in him bolster
our joy even in the midst of sometimes painful trials in life?

6. Reflect on the quote from CS Lewis, God cannot give us peace and happiness apart from Himself
because their is no such thing.

What is CS Lewis saying and not saying here?

Conclusion:

What is the one thing you want to take away from this study to remember or to make a change in your
life? How does this text help you understand your need for Jesus? How does this text challenge you to
follow him?

Renewing your mind:

John 3:16, For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not
perish but have eternal life.