Questions for Reflection - "What Jesus Means by Freedom"

Luke 4:14–21

1. How do you define "freedom"?
2. What is the difference between how the U.S. Constitution defines "freedom" and how the Bible seems to define it?
3. Read the passage. How does Jesus seem to define "freedom"?
4. What holds people "captive"?
5. There is a debate that Jesus' sermon is focused on the literal poor, captive, and oppressed, rather than on the "spiritually" poor, captive and oppressed. What do you think he means? What does Jesus (and Isaiah) mean by the "blind"?
6. What held the Hebrews "captive"? (Check Exodus 14:5–12).
7. As you listened to or read Richard Stearns' story of being freed up, what came to your mind about things that have a hold on you?
8. Why is it people care about the people of Haiti?

For further reading Richard Stearns. The Hole in Our Gospel: The Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Change the World. Thomas Nelson. 2009

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Westminster Presbyterian Church Pastors: Rev. Dr. Richard H. Thompson, Rev. John Burnett, Rev. Jennifer Kates Witten 32111 Watergate Road, Westlake Village, California 91361 (818)889-1491    fax (818)889-7132 E-mail: info1@wpcwestlake.org Please notify the church of any problems with our site.