Sermon Discussion Questions
READ Luke 16:19-31
19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I not am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, Father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’
1. Why do you think that some people have so much and others have so little?
2. Jesus tells this vivid parable of the different experiences of a rich man and of a poor man who lives right by his front door. Why do you think He tells this parable?
3. How do we see the rich man being exalted among men in this life but brought down in the life to come? How do you see the poor man brought low in this life but exalted in the life to come?
4. As different as the two men are in this story, Jesus appears to be implying that there should be a relationship between them. What do you think that relationship should be?
5. Some have noticed that stories like this one in verses 19-31 were so well known that what would have struck the hearers was how Jesus had changed the ending to the story (where usually the request to go back would have been granted). What effect would Jesus’ change to the ending of His story have had on those listening?
6. In what ways does the very last sentence of the story, verse 31, speak to us?
7. What do you find most encouraging or convicting in this story? What does it make you want to change your mind about and maybe your actions?
8. Ask the LORD to guide you as you, either rich or poor, think about the good things that God has given you to share or bless others.