JESUS HEALS A DEMON-POSSESSED MAN

Luke 8:26-39

Key Verse: 8:30

* A DEMON-POSSESSED MAN (26-28)

1. What had happened as Jesus and the disciples crossed the lake? Where did their boat land? What might have been the mood of Jesus and his disciples?

2. Who met them? Where was this man from? Where and how was he living? What can we learn here about him and his relations with others?

3. What in his lifestyle and in his past record show his strong desire for human freedom? (27,29b) In what ways does this desire for human freedom manifest itself today?

4. How did Luke diagnose this man's problem? What can we learn from this man about the nature of demons and demon possession?

5. Why is it that men who seek unlimited human freedom open a door to demonic invasion? (Ro.3:10,14; 8:6a; Ga1.5:13; Eph.2:1-3)

6. What did this man do when he saw Jesus? Why? (28,29) Think about the ambivalence in his words and actions. What does this suggest about him? (Why is it that sinful men also have a desire for holiness? See Ro.1:20; Gen.1:27)

* JESUS HEALS A DEMON-POSSESSED MAN (29-39)

7. What was the first thing Jesus did for this man? (29) What does this reveal about Jesus? What did Jesus do next? (30) What is the significance of this? What was the man's name? What does this mean?

8. What was the request the demons made of Jesus? Why did he give them permission? Why was this a costly and dangerous thing for Jesus to do?

9. What did the herdsmen report about the man and the pigs? What was the result to Jesus? Why did the people of that district reject Jesus? What does this show about them?

10. What did the man want to do? What did Jesus tell him to do? What did he do? What can we learn from Jesus and from him?