67% of American’s surveyed claim to have a “personal relationship” with Jesus 72% of women claimed a personal relationship 62% of men 82% of Protestants 72% of Catholics 72% of adults % of adults ages % of adults ages % of adults ages 18-26

How does Jesus communicate with them? 52% by influencing or connecting directly with their mind, emotions or feelings 41% through the content of a Bible passage 36% by providing a sign 34% through a teaching concerning their immediate situation or need 31% through miraculous or inexplicable circumstances or outcomes 31% through words spoken by someone else who was speaking from God 18% through a passage they read from a book other than the Bible 16% through an audible voice or whisper they could hear

DISCUSSION GUIDE 1.Who led Jesus to return to Galilee? (Luke 4:14) The Holy Spirit led Jesus.

DISCUSSION GUIDE 2.Are you influenced by the Holy Spirit? Why or why not?

DISCUSSION GUIDE 3.In (Luke 4:15) Jesus’ popularity is growing. Why? His teaching was dynamic and He taught with unique authority.

DISCUSSION GUIDE 4.When Jesus went to His home town (Nazareth) what did He do first? (v. 16) He went to the synagogue.

DISCUSSION GUIDE 5.What were the regular activities in the synagogue? a. Old Testament passage read and discussed b. First the law c. Second the prophets d. Third someone would speak about the text

DISCUSSION GUIDE 6.Jesus read from (Isaiah 61:1f) and (58:6). Why was this a powerful and controversial passage? This passage was a prophecy about the ministry of the coming Messiah.

DISCUSSION GUIDE 7.What ministries did this passage state that the Messiah would be actively doing? (vs ) a. Bring good news to the poor b. Release the captives, both physically and spiritually c. Cure the blind of physical and spiritual blindness d. Set free the oppressed (physical/spiritual) e. Proclaim the Year of Jubilee

DISCUSSION GUIDE 8.What was the significance of the Year of Jubilee? It marked the year of total forgiveness of debt and the release of slaves. Jesus was saying He had come to release people from their sin debt.

DISCUSSION GUIDE 9.What caused the home town people to get “filled with rage?” (vs ) He claimed authority as the Messiah who had been prophesied in the very passage He read. He also made the point that the Messiah had come not just for the Jews but for all.

DISCUSSION GUIDE 10.What were the intentions of the home town people in (v. 29)? They wanted to murder Jesus and throw Him off a cliff and stone Him to death.

DISCUSSION GUIDE 11.Have you ever encountered rage from the lost because of your Christian walk?

DISCUSSION GUIDE 12.List the different miracles Jesus did in Capernaum. (vs ) a. Taught with unique authority b. Cast out demons c. Healed Simon’s mother-in-law d. Healed others e. Cast out more demons

DISCUSSION GUIDE 13.What was the significance of demons even identifying Jesus as “The Holy One of God” in (v. 34)? They recognized that Jesus was the opposite of them. He was holy and could defeat them.

DISCUSSION GUIDE 14.Why would Jesus silence the demons in (v. 41)? The time of disclosure had not yet arrived and He had not accomplished His purpose yet.

DISCUSSION GUIDE 15.When dealing with the lost is it ever appropriate to remain silent about the truth of Christ and wait for another opportunity? Why or why not?

"Out of the night that covers me, black as a pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance, I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance, my head is bloody but unbowed. Beyond this veil of wrath and tears clings but the harrow of the shading. Yet the menace of the years finds in self I meet unafraid; matters not how straight the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.“ William Ernest Henley

"Out of the light that dazzles me, bright is the sun from pole to pole. I thank the God I know to be, for Christ the conqueror of my soul. Since he's the sway of circumstance, I would not wince nor cry aloud. Under that rule which men call chance, my head with joy is humbly bowed. Beyond this place of sin and tears, that life with him. And he's the aide that spite diminished of the years keeps and shall keep me unafraid. It matters not, though straight the gate, He cleared from punishments the scroll. Christ is the master of my fate. Christ is the captain of my soul."

Joshua Bell