CONNECT: How can we live in a way that demonstrates how thankful we are for our forgiveness?

WARM-UP

1. What are the common conceptions or ideas about evil in our culture? How does this contrast to a biblical understanding of the problem of evil?

Read Luke 8:26-29

1. What has just happened before this encounter? How have we witnessed Jesusʼ authority so far?
2. How did the demon-possession affect him physically, relationally, and emotionally? How does that make you feel? Why do you think he had been ostracised from his community?
3. What is the ultimate goal of evil? How do we see the manifestation of evil today?
4. How does the demon-possessed man greet Jesus? What does this show us about evilʼs capacity to recognise the identity of Jesus yet still fail to submit to him as Lord?
5. How–in Christianity–can we be in danger of paying too much attention or too little attention to the reality of evil? How should this encounter shape our approach?

Read Luke 8:30-39

1. Why would evil be afraid of Jesus? How should this be a cause for confidence for us?
2. Does Jesus seem phased by the scale of evil at play? Why not?
3. What was the name of the man? What is the significance of this?
4. What did the demons beg Jesus to not happen? Why did Jesus send them into the pigs?
5. What questions does this part of the story raise? What might the fate of the pigs point to?
6. How did Jesus ultimately defeat evil and when will evil finally be destroyed? How should this reality and future shape our perspective today in the face of evil?
7. What are the two responses by those present? Why were some afraid of Jesus? Should we be?
8. How is it good news–for you and for the world–that Jesus is Godʼs solution to evil?

APPLY: How might you take a stand against the ways of evil this week?

On Your Frontline This Week: What window in your day do you pray for your three people to become followers of Jesus? It might be helpful to set a daily alarm.

Listen, Watch, and Read:          

• Audio: “Luke 8:26-39” by Andrew Sach
• Audio: “Surprised by Power” by Christ Wright
• Chapter: “But First Demons” (in World Next Door) by Rory Shiner & Peter Orr
• Book: “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S.Lewis

SERIES Resources:

• Series overview booklet
• Scripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9CO
• Book: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful)
• Book: Luke for Everyone by Tom Wright
• St Bartʼs Library Resources for Current Series