Bible study on Luke 13.31-35
This study can be used by a small family/household group, or by an online group, or – sometimes with a little adaptation – by an individual.
See our Guidelines for a weekly Bible study
Begin with an opening prayer
Faithful God, we come to you,
conscious of our vulnerability
but rejoicing in your protective love.
Speak your values into our hearts,
your energy into our actions,
and your integrity into our lives,
that we may use our time well and wisely,
and be a church of compassion, conviction and courage.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
Read the passage
Consider different ways to read the text. For example, hearing it in more than one version of the Bible.
In an online group, you could share parts between those present, or use/adapt this week’s Share the Word suggestion: Use the Jump to this week's menu on the right to go to Share the Word and scroll down to find the Gospel reading.
Explore and respond to the text
Start by reading the Bible notes below. You may want to read them more than once, or pause after each paragraph to reflect on what you have read.
Bible notes
‘At that very hour’ (v.31) is at the time when Jesus is teaching that entrance to the kingdom of God will be on a different basis from what many expect: to have shared a dinner table with Jesus and hear him teach will not be enough to claim him as an acquaintance. Meanwhile, strangers from the four points of the compass will be welcomed in. The way in is through the narrow door and we should strive to enter through it. By beginning this narrative ‘At that very hour’, Luke is linking this teaching about the kingdom of God with the suffering of Jesus that is foreshadowed here. ‘Today, tomorrow, and the next day’ (v.33) speaks of Christ’s faithful service despite the risks, and the use of the specific phrase ‘on the third day’ (v.32) immediately makes a link to his death and resurrection. He knows (as perhaps any astute commentator of the time could guess, cf. John 11.16) that his journey to Jerusalem will be a journey to his death, but he does not speak about it in terms of his own courage, nor as a scornfully fierce martyrdom to expose the corruption of Jerusalem. He would far rather gather the people to him to protect them, but they are not (and will not be) willing. While Herod is a fox, wily and dangerous, Jesus describes himself as a hen. A rallying slogan such as ‘I am lion, hear me roar’ is always popular. How many of us would rally to ‘I am hen, see me gather’?
See also: In conversation with the scriptures: A season of sifting
Reflection
Spend a few moments thinking about what stands out for you from the Bible reading. This idea may help.
In folktales, animals are often assigned human characteristics. Foxes are seen as cunning and predatory, whereas a chicken is usually stupid and cowardly. In this week’s Gospel reading, Herod is called a fox, but Jesus likens himself to a mother hen. So how apt are these descriptions? Do Herod and Jesus fit the stereotypes? Herod may be somewhat ‘foxy’, but Jesus is certainly no chicken in the modern conventional sense! And in real life the mother hen is protective, brave and caring. Do we behave like foxes, or hens, or some other animal? And, if so, how would you characterise that animal?
Questions for reflection
You could also use the image and following questions to help introduce the theme.
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Click on the image to view a larger version
or use the Jump menu to go to This week's images.
For artist's details, see this issue's illustrators.
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Questions
- How would you describe the words on this wall?
- What words would be written on your wall?
- Pick one of your words – how might that value affect your behaviour?
A simple worship activity
What would you do?
Discuss how our core values influence our behaviour.
- Working in groups, reflect on the following two scenarios:
- You come across someone at school/work who is being bullied; the victim is unpopular.
- You are in a shop and you notice a friend of yours shoplifting.
In each case, discuss your possible courses of action, and what each of those possibilities would say about your values.
Use the Jump to this week's menu on the right to go to more activities in Explore and respond.
Prayer
Adapt to your local context.
A prayer of thanksgiving
We praise you, loving God,
that you give each of us enough time
to do all that we are called to do.
Take from us the worry of hurry,
and enable us to delight in your presence with us,
and to share our joy with all who are in need
of hope and friendship and courage.
In Jesus’ name we pray – thankfully and hopefully.
Amen.
Use the Jump to this week's menu on the right to find more prayers, including up-to-date intercessions.
A prayer to end the Bible study
Teach me, Lord God, to live out my faith;
to show courage when things are tough,
to show love to those in need,
and to be forgiving even when I am hurt.
Help me to follow Jesus.
Amen.
Go with God 24/7
Encourage everyone to put their faith into action.
Find time, preferably at the beginning of each day, to reflect how your core values have shaped what you did (yesterday) or will do (today), and say prayer above again.
Encourage everyone to explore their faith this week with the ROOTS at home resource.