A VERY SMALL THING

Luke 19:11-27

Key Verse 19:17

1. Read v. 11. What prompted Jesus to give them this parable? 

2. Read vs. 12-13 and describe what Jesus might have had in mind when he employed the following expressions: 

1) "A man of noble birth"; 

2) Went to "a distant country"; 

3) To have him appointed "a king" and then to "return"; 

4) So he called ten of his servants; 

5) And gave them "ten minas"; 

6) "Put this money to work" he said; and 

7) "Until I come back." 

3. Read v. 14. Why do you think his subjects might have "hated" him so much (cf. Isaiah 55:8-9; Mark 8:34-38; John 7:7)? 

4. Read v. 15. When do you think this will happen (cf. Daniel 12:1-3; Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:5-10; 2Co 5:10; Revelation 20:10-15)? 

5. Read vs. 16-19 and describe: 1) the good servant's secret of "success"; and 2) the rewards given to each of the "good" servants. Yet why is it not always easy for one to be trustworthy in a "very small" matter? How can we practically apply this "secret" to our life? 

6. Read. vs. 20-26 and describe: 1) the real reason for the wicked servant's fruitlessness; 2) the blessing this servant forfeited; and 3) the master's wisdom in rejecting the objection filed by those standing by. 

7. Read v. 27. How is the category of people described in this verse different from the category of people described in vs. 15b-26? Of the two categories, which category do you think you will most likely be classified as belonging to? In what respect is the judgment that fell on the people described in this category surprising? Yet why is this verdict justified (cf. Revelation 5:4,9,12)?