Luke 4:14-30
Key Verse: 4:18b

"He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed...."

1. Read verses 14-15. Where did Jesus go and what did he do after defeating the devil? How did the people respond? Why is the power of the Spirit so important? (18a; Jn 6:63)

2. Read verses 16-17. Where did he go when he came to his hometown? What did he do in the synagogue? What was his attitude toward God's word? What does it reveal about Jesus that he began his ministry in this place, in this way?

3. Read verses 18-21. How did Isaiah plant hope in the Babylonian captives? (Isa 61:1-2) Now, who are the poor? (18a) What is the good news? How did Jesus fulfill this scripture?

4. Who are the prisoners? What is most people's concept of freedom? What is the Biblical concept of freedom? (Ge 2:16-17; Gal 5:1,13; Jn 8:31-32)

5. Who are the "blind"? The oppressed? How did Jesus fulfill this prophecy of Isaiah? (18b,21; Mt 11:29-30) Read verses 22-23. How did the people respond initially? How did they show their blindness?

6. Read verses 24-30. How did God work among the spiritually blind people of Elijah's time? How was God working in Elisha's time? How did each example show faith and obedience? What did the hometown religious leaders do instead of repenting?