Luke 7:1-17
Key Verse 7:7b “But say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
1. What is a centurion? What was the status of servants and slaves in the Roman Empire? What is unusual about this centurion’s attitude toward his dying servant? (1-2)
2. How might the centurion have heard about Jesus? (cf. 4:36, 4:40) Why did he ask Jesus to come and heal his servant through the elders of the Jews? (3) What was unusual about the Jewish elders’ attitude toward Jesus and the centurion? (4-5)
3. Why did the centurion ask Jesus not to come into his house? (6-7; cf. Acts 10:28) How did his soldier training affect his understanding of the authority of Jesus’ word? (8)
4. Why was Jesus so amazed at the centurion’s faith? (9) Compare this with the lack of faith in Jesus’ hometown. (cf. Mark 6:6)
5. What was the atmosphere in the town of Nain? (11-13) How did Jesus comfort the widow?
6. What were Jesus’ words to the dead young man? (14c) What can we learn about the authority and power of Jesus’ word? (cf. John 5:28-29a)