The Key to Knowledge

Luke 11:37-12:12

Key Verse 11:52

1. Read verses 37-41. This passage indicates that the Pharisees were not as clean on the inside as they appeared to be on the outside.  Why is it a problem for one to leave his inside unclean? In addition to "greed" what else makes mans’ inside unclean? How can a person keep their inside truly clean (or pure)? 

2. Think about Jesus' teaching in verse 42. How is tithing contrasted with "justice and the love of God"? Why are both necessary? Verse 42 suggests that we must "do" both, tithing and "practicing" justice and the love of God. What does "practice" mean? How can we practice justice and the love of God?  

3. Read verse 43. The word "woe" indicates that it is not a good idea to "love" what the Pharisees loved. Yet why did the Pharisees end up doing this? How can we avoid a problem like this?

4. Consider the expression "unmarked graves" in verse 44. What does this tell us about the Pharisees? How can one overcome a problem like this? (John 10:10; Isaiah 58:11; Psalm 23)

5. Read verses 45-54. In this passage Jesus talks about the "law" and "prophets". What does the Bible teach us about the purpose of the Law and the Prophets? (Matthew 5:17; 7:12; Luke 16:16; 24:44; Acts 28:23)? What does Jesus mean by "the key to knowledge"? (Isaiah 33:6) Apparently the experts (or teachers) of the law committed themselves to teaching the law. Yet, why did they become enemies of God (and people)? (Proverbs 19:2; Romans 10:2) How can we avoid a problem like this? 

6. In Luke 12:1-12 Jesus instructs his disciples not to be hypocrites (like the Pharisees of Jesus' day) but rather live as truthful witnesses of God's truths. How can we live as God's truthful witnesses?