Life Group H.E.A.R. Journal: Luke 14

An easy, memorable way to learn how to read and process the Bible is through the H.E.A.R. journaling method. This process helps us read God’s Word with the goal of understanding it and applying it to our lives. The letters in the acronym stand for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. 

Please read the following passages from Luke 14, , which Pastor Roland featured in his message this past Sunday.

16 But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 17 And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ 20 And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ 22 And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ 23 And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’”

- Luke 14:16-24

Next, do each of the four things listed below:

• Highlight a scripture: Pick one verse (or pick a set of connected or related verses) from Luke 14. Highlight this verse or write down the Book, chapter, and verse number.

• Explain the context: By asking some simple questions with the help of God’s Spirit, we can understand the meaning of a passage or verse. What’s happening in the story? Why was this written, and to whom? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? What does God intend to communicate through this text? 

• Apply it to your life: Application is the heart of the process! Answering a series of questions can help us uncover the meaning of these verses to us on a personal level. What is God saying to me? How can this help me? What does this mean today? How would applying this look in my life?

• Respond with action: This is the last part of the H.E.A.R. Journal. Your response to the passage may take on many forms. You may write a call to action. You can describe how you’ll be different because of what God said to you through His Word. You may indicate what you’re going to do because of what you have learned. You can even respond by writing out a prayer to God.

Share your responses with your group. Pay special attention to the Apply and Respond steps; that’s where God’s Word comes to life! Let’s encourage each other in God’s Word.

The Power and Purpose of Your Testimony

Main Thought

We all love a good story. A good story has the ability to capture an audience, change minds and even influence others towards a certain direction. Good stories build familiarity and trust, and allow the listener to open up when they can relate to someone in the story. You may not realize it, but all of God’s people have a unique story. Our stories become a part His story that is told throughout the Bible, and that continues today.

Our testimony is our own unique story. They are meant to be shared as we witness for Christ. A simple testimony includes three parts:

• Section A: Describes your life before Christ.

• Section B: Explains how you came to Jesus.

• Section C: Describes your life since surrendering to Jesus.

Main Passages

3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished. 6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’

- Acts 22:3-8

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.

- 1 Peter 3:13

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

- Romans 1:16-17

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above?

2. Take a few moments to outline your testimony according to the three sections listed above.

   • A testimony tip: In addition to sharing what happened at each step, try to describe how you felt at each step along the way.

3. Try sharing your testimony with your group!

Busy Witnesses

Main Thought

Most of us are busy. We live at a frenetic pace. There’s so much to get done! Yet all this activity doesn’t necessarily translate to productivity. This is true in every area of life, including in our relationship to God and His Church. How can we be sure that we’re effectively building God’s Kingdom while engaging unchurched people? We can start by investing our time - even if it’s limited - in activities that consistently create the greatest returns. Many people become open to faith in God through their relationships with believers they know. Routine outreach built on a consistent time, activity, place, or people group can help create these relationships. As we go in faith to engage others, God multiplies our natural efforts with His supernatural power. Our efforts can have an eternal impact when we use the time that we have intentionally.

Main Passages

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

- Psalm 90:12

After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.

- Acts 18:1-3

4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. 

- Acts 18:4

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above?

2. Do you have relationships with unchurched people that you’re engaging on behalf of Christ? Do you have a form of routine outreach?

3. Do you think it’s possible to use your available time, relationships, or activities more strategically in order to become a more effective witness for Christ? If so, how?

Principles of Harvest

Main Thought

One of the last promises that Jesus made was that His followers would receive power to be witnesses. This power eventually came through the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. Pentecost, in turn, happened to be an agricultural holiday or tradition. There are a lot of parallels between being a witness for God and farming. Both require planting. We sow seeds into the dirt - and we can sow the Word into the lives of others through the Gospel, our testimonies, an invitation, a prayer, and more. After we plant, we wait. Waiting on God includes prayer because only He can make a seed grow. Finally, the time comes to harvest. Engaging people turns into establishing them in the Word, faith, and community. But God always blesses those who bless others.

Main Passages

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” - Acts 1:4-5, 8

26 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. 28 The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

- Mark 4:26-29

2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.

- Luke 10:2-3

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Passages above?

2. When it comes to the stages of planting, waiting, and harvesting, where do you think you are right now?

3. How can you begin to move to the next stage in faith?