Inadequate kingdom workers case study 1 to 4

Luke 9: 37-50

Introduction

In this session, Luke 9:37-50, Jesus describes the inadequate current state of the child workers before Easter (the death and resurrection of Jesus). Sadly, this state of child workers has continued even after Easter. Why? Jesus highlighted over 6 cases of children kingdom workers and how they think and act, while Satan continues to oppress our children. All this inadequate thinking and acting is due to the little or no understanding of who Jesus is and the power of the cross upon them. We need to focus on the Liberty of children who walk in the valley of the shadow of death. They are oppressed by witches who hate children, by the evil spirit of religion, and by the evil demon of racism. These children are also helpless and have no Shephard.

Objectives

By the end of this session, the learner will have:

  • Identified at least 6 inadequate categories of child workers (child priesthood workers) in a hostile environment. Agents of change.
  • Understood why these workers are in the ministry and why they are not in the ministry?
  • Appreciated that knowing the power of the cross would empower them in engaging in the mission of God.

Outline

  • Children’s Shepherd State Before Easter
  • State of children who walk in the valley of oppression
  • Six inadequacies of child workers
  • Jesus’ responses to the inadequacy of child workers
  • Cost of following Jesus.

Group Study Time

Luke 9: 37-50

Connecting

  • Gather with two or more people for a community discovery bible study session.
  • Start with a heartfelt prayer, inviting God to guide and bless your understanding.
  • Explore the passage by reading it at least twice, using different Bible versions if available, then retell the story together as a group.
  • Reflect and share the challenges and blessings you experienced from the previous study.

Comprehending

  • Read Luke 9: 37-43. Retell the story in two minutes. Who are the characters mentioned in the story? Use 5 words to describe the current state of the boy child before Jesus came into the picture? Who were the agents of his transformation? Why couldn’t they help the boy? How did Jesus help the boy?
  • Read Luke 9: 44-45. Describe the second inadequate state of children, agents of change, child workers who work (disciples of children) in cultures hostile to children?
  • Read Luke 9: 46-48. Identify the third inadequate state of child workers in hostile cultures?
  • Read Luke 9: 49-50. Identify the four inadequate states of child workers in a hostile environment.

Committing

  • Engage with the Bible—read, study, memorize, meditate, pray, listen, and live it out.
  • List three lessons you have learnt as an agent of change that you would like to put into practice and teach others about.
  • Take time and worship Jesus with the attributes revealed about Christ.
  • Use the SPACEPETS model, to assist you in putting God’s word into practice. Look for:
    • Sin to confess
    • Promise to claim
    • Attitude to change
    • Command to keep
    • Error to change
    • Prayer to make
    • Example to copy
    • Truth to obey and
    • Something praiseworthy

Communicating

  • Identify one person you can connect with and share the valuable insights and lessons you gained from this session.
  • Reach out to a new believer—either in person or by phone—and pray with them to support them through their challenges, including any concerns about attending church.
  • Create a new group and guide others through this study to help them grow in their understanding.

Post Lesson Teaching Summary

Great job completing the study! Take a moment to listen to this summary to reinforce your group’s understanding of the text and ensure you’re all on the same page. We’re here to support your learning journey!

Inadequate kingdom workers case study 1 to 4

Luke 9: 37-50

Luke 9:37-50

Context

  • Following the transfiguration, Jesus continues preparing disciples as agents of change, addressing their failures, misunderstandings, and attitudes.
  • Focuses on faith, humility, and inclusivity in the kingdom amid a faithless generation.

Preparing Disciples as Agents of Change (Luke 9:37-50)

  • Healing the Demon-Possessed Boy (vv. 37-43): Coming down the mountain, a large crowd meets Jesus; a man begs Him to heal his only son possessed by a spirit that seizes him, causes shrieking, convulsions, foaming, and rarely leaves. The man says disciples could not drive it out. Jesus rebukes the unbelieving, perverse generation, calls the boy, and the demon throws him down. Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit, heals the boy, and returns him to his father. All are amazed at God’s greatness and Jesus’ power.
  • Second Prediction of Death (vv. 43-45): While all marvel, Jesus tells disciples to listen carefully: the Son of Man will be delivered into human hands. They do not understand, the meaning hidden from them, and they are afraid to ask.
  • Who is Greatest in the Kingdom (vv. 46-48): Disciples argue who is greatest; Jesus, knowing their thoughts, takes a child beside Him and says whoever welcomes this child in His name welcomes Him and the One who sent Him—for the one who is least among you is greatest.
  • Outsider Casting Out Demons (vv. 49-50): John reports trying to stop someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name because not one of them; Jesus says do not stop him—for whoever is not against you is for you.
  • Purpose: Jesus teaches through failures (lack of faith), predictions (suffering ahead), and corrections (humility over greatness, inclusivity over exclusivity) to transform disciples into effective agents of change.

Application

  • Trust Jesus’ power in failures, seek understanding without fear, embrace humility by welcoming the least, and accept others working in His name to advance the kingdom without division.

How to use these studies

These lessons are designed as short, 25-minute studies based on Bible truths, and meant for self-learning or small group study. The study sets systematically cover different books of the Bible. 

Each lesson follows a simple structure:

  • Introduction (Including the outline and objectives)
  • Step 1: Connecting
  • Step 2: Comprehending
  • Step 3: Committing
  • Step 4: Communicating

These sections include questions to help you reflect on the bible passage and how it applies to your life. 

Use these lessons to disciple others by journeying together over time and allowing God’s word to penetrate your heart and bring transforming change to your life. As a leader, pray for wisdom in leading and for modelling the truths in your own life.

Sharing offline

Each lesson has three buttons allowing you to download a easily saveable and shareable PDF version of the study. You can choose either a Mobile-friendly PDF version, and Print-friendly PDF version, or a print version of the Full Study PDF (for example all the lessons in the current book of the Bible).

These are free and can be easily copied and shared from one person to another!

Gathering a Small Group

Start small to build a safe space for sharing and growth.

  • Pray first: Ask God to show you 3-6 people who need encouragement in faith, like family, neighbors, or fellow believers facing hardship.
  • Invite personally: Meet one-on-one, explain how the lessons are designed to help people grow in their faith and knowledge of God and his Word.
  • Keep it simple: Meet in a home or quiet spot; no need for fancy setup – just willing hearts.
  • Aim for consistency: Suggest weekly meetings, but be flexible for busy lives or safety concerns in persecuted areas.

Trust helps everyone open up, reflect, and apply truths without fear.

  • Start with sharing: In the first meeting, share simple stories of your own faith struggles to show vulnerability.
  • Set ground rules: Agree to listen without judging, keep stories private, and focus on encouraging each other.
  • Build bonds: Begin each session with a short prayer or song inviting God to be present with you.
  • Be patient: Trust grows over time – encourage quiet members gently, and celebrate small steps of honesty.

Good preparation makes the lesson flow and helps discipleship.

  • Read ahead: Study the lesson before; pray over the Bible passage and think how it fits your group’s challenges.
  • Adapt for the group: Use simple words; if literacy is low, read aloud slowly and explain questions or stories.
  • Gather basics: Have a Bible (in your language) and paper for notes.
  • Reflect personally: Ask yourself the study questions first – lead from your own growth and experience.
  • Pray: Pray for your group members.

Guide the group through the lesson structure to encourage discovery and commitment.

  • Step 1 – Connecting: Start the group meeting by praying together. Thank God for his Word and ask for open hearts to receive it. Read the Bible passage together (Read it aloud twice; ask someone to repeat in their words.)
  • Step 2: Comprehending: Use the provided questions to help you grapple with the truth of the Bible passage.
  • Step 3 – Committing: Consider how the passage might apply to your lives and what simple steps of obedience you can commit to. The goal of these studies if life-change! Not just knowledge!
  • Step 4 – Communicating:  Think of who you can share the truths you have learned with.
  • Close with Prayer: Let group members pray short prayers of thanks or commitment. Pray for one another.

For many of the lessons, there is a short summary teaching voice-note at the end of the lesson (together with a text summary). This is designed to be a recap and reminder of the key lessons you should have learned through the lesson. 

As a leader, you might like to use these summary teaching resources to help you in preparation for leading your group, though ideally not before you have spent time prayerfully reflecting on the passage.

This is an ongoing discipleship journey aiming to transform lives and help people to live victorious Christian lives. Focus on growth, not just finishing lessons.

  • Meet regularly: Join together at least once a week. Review past actions at each start to build accountability.
  • Encourage reflection: Between meetings, urge personal time with the lesson – read, pray, and try complete commitments made.
  • Support one another: If your group members are facing challenges, use lessons to pray together and share burdens; become “agents of change” by helping others in your community.
  • Multiply groups: As trust grows, encourage members to start their own small groups with family or friends.
  • Keep it short: Stick to 15 – 25 minutes per lesson to fit busy, challenging lives.
  • Handle challenges: If fear or hardship arise, encourage members by always pointing back to God’s love. 
  • Stay safe: In persecuted areas, meet discreetly; focus on heart change over big displays.
  • Celebrate progress: Note how people have grown in faith; allow time for sharing testimonies of what God has done. Take note of what you pray for, and give thanks when God answers prayer.

Final encouragement

Leading these lessons is serving like Jesus – humble, loving, and truthful. As you journey together, God will build growing faith into each person’s life. Pray often, and watch lives transform!

If you would like to share stories of faith from your own communities, please get in touch with us!