St. Nicholas Orthodox Church – Monongahela, Pa. Study - The of St. Luke Session 10 ______

Opening Prayer:

O Master, Who loves mankind, illumine our hearts with the pure light of Your divine knowledge. And open the eyes of your mind to understand the teachings of Your Gospel. Instill in us also the fear of Your blessed commandments, that we may overcome all carnal desires, entering upon a spiritual life and understanding and acting in all things according to Your holy will. For You are the enlightenment of our souls and bodies, O God, and to You we give glory together with Your eternal Father and Your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

I. CHAPTER 10 – The Seventy & Parable of the Good Samaritan

The Seventy Apostles are those whom the Lord chose, in addition to the original Twelve Apostles, to go before Him into the cities He would visit and lay down the groundwork and infrastructure for the Early Church. They are only mentioned in the Gospel of St. Luke, and he reports that appointed them and sent them out in pairs to preach the gospel. The Twelve generally remained at Christ's side, serving as witnesses to His life; but the Seventy preceded Him in every place He visited.

The Feast of the Seventy Apostles is commemorated on January 4/17 and was established by the Orthodox Church to indicate the equal honor of each of the Seventy. Besides the celebration of the Feast of the Seventy Apostles, the Church also celebrates the memory of each of them during the course of the year. Among them are: James, the brother of the Lord; Mark; Luke; Cleopas; ; ; Titus.

A. v. 18 What does this statement reveal who Jesus is? see also Revelation 12:7 (p. 1731)

B. The Parable of the Good Samaritan. Who is testing whom in this story?

C. Does the lawyer seem to think he has passed the test in v. 28?

D. Why does Jesus answer with a story rather than a straight answer?

E. How might the actions of the priest and Levite be justified? see Leviticus 21:1-3 (p. 148) F. Why is it significant who helps the wounded man?

G. This story can be interpreted as an allegory about me. How am I the wounded man?

Who or what is unable/unwilling to help?

Who is the Samaritan?

What are the oil and wine?

What is the inn?

Who are the innkeepers?

II. CHAPTER 10 – Mary &

A. How are these two sisters different?

B. Who is their brother? see John 11 (p. 2446)

C. Someone had to prepare and serve the meal for Jesus….but what is Jesus’ point?

D. Am I more a “Martha” or a “Mary”. What are the dangers in both extremes?

III. CHAPTER 11 – Prayer

A. How can the Lord’s Prayer be used not only as a prayer itself but as a model for all prayers?

B. Some Christians argue that prayers should never be read out of a book. What are the dangers and advantages of praying the prayers written by others?

C. What does the parable in v. 5-8 teach about prayer?

D. How do v. 9-10 relate to the parable?

E. How can v.9-10 be misunderstood or misused?

F. What is the real purpose and meaning of prayer? see John 15:1-8 (p. 1455)

G. Prayer “didn’t work” for St. Paul. Why? see 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (p. 1585)

H. v. 27-28 Is this a refutation of His mother? Why or why not?

From the Fathers: “Mary was more blessed in accepting the faith of Christ than in conceiving the flesh of Christ…. For His brothers, His relatives according to the flesh who did not believe in Him, of what advantage was that relationship? Even her maternal relationship would have done Mary no good unless she had borne Christ more happily in her heart than in her flesh.” Blessed Augustine 5th century AD “Holy Virginity”

IV. CHAPTER 11 – A Sign

A. What is “the Sign of Jonah”? read Jonah 1:1-2:1 (p. 1021)

B. What is Jesus point in referring to “the Queen of the South”? read 3 Kingdoms 10:1-9 (p. 401)

V. CHAPTER 11 – The

A. Who were the Pharisees? see Orthodox Study Bible: Glossary (p. 1785)

B. What is Jesus’ basic point in v. 39-41?

C. In your own words, what is Jesus meaning of the three “woes” in v. 42-44

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D. In your own words, what is Jesus meaning of the three “woes” in 46-52?

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E. How can Orthodox clergy become “new Pharisees”?

F. How can Orthodox people become “new Pharisees”?