Opening Questions and Prayer
When was a time when someone helped you when everyone else had seemed to abandon you?
How did that change your relationship with that person?
Pray that the Lord would reveal through today’s study those around you who are in need of a helping hand as well as the good news of Jesus.
Read Luke 16:19-20
19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores.
Who is listening to this parable?
See Luke 16:1a & 14
16:1a Jesus told this story to his disciples…
16:14 The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him.
Compare and contrast the rich man and Lazarus.
Why does Jesus give a proper name to Lazarus, but not the rich man?
Which character do you identify with more and why?
Read Luke 16:21
21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.
Why does Jesus go into this level of detail about Lazarus?
What is he wanting the Pharisees and disciples to know about Lazarus’ condition?
Who should have been helping with the open wounds of Lazarus?
Why might people ignore the hurt and wounds in other people’s lives?
Is there someone in your life that you are ignoring their wounds and hurt?
If there is, why are you ignoring those things?
What could you do this week to pay attention to them?
What might be a step you could take this week to start noticing the hurting, wounded people around you?
Read Luke 16:22-23
22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.
What detail does Jesus add to the rich man’s death that wasn’t present in Lazarus’ death?
Why does the detail of the burial matter?
What might have been some things said at the rich man’s funeral?
How has the situation of the rich man and Lazarus changed?
How does living life with the perspective of a physical death, and then judgment before the Lord, change your daily life?
Read Luke 16:24-26
24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’
25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’
What point is Jesus making to the Pharisees and disciples with this part of the parable?
How had the rich man squandered his life while he was alive?
What are some ways people miss the purpose of the blessing of abundance that God gives them?
What is one way you could use what God has given you to bless someone else this week?
Read Luke 16:27-31
27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’
29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’
30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’
31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Why did the rich man want his family warned?
Why does Jesus say that people won’t be persuaded by someone that raises from the dead?
When Jesus brought His friend Lazarus (not the Lazarus from the parable) back from the dead, what were some of the responses?
See John 11:45-48 , 12:10-11
11:45-48 45 Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen.46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. 48 If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.”
12:10 Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, 11 for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus.
Even though the evidence may be plain and clearly in front of them, why do people still choose not to believe?
What is something you can do this week to help guide people toward Jesus and a relationship with Him?
Memorize it!
Luke 16: 19-20 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores.