It’s Like This: Stories of the Kingdom of God

Week One: Why Can’t I Look Out for Myself?
Luke 12:13-23

We are not in control, but we know who is.

PRAYER & SCRIPTURE

Open your group time with prayer. Pray for each other and ask God to open your hearts to His Word and His Spirit.

Read Luke 12:13-21. Possibly spend some time reading it in various translations.

Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”

14 Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

DISCUSSION

• What did the man in verse 13 ask Jesus to do? Why was this a problem?

• Describe the circumstances of the rich man Jesus describes in the story in Luke 12:16-19. Does this sound like a good life to you? Why or Why not?

• What problems does an abundance of wealth create?

• What do we desire to be in control of our lives? Where do you struggle with the issue of control?

• What can you do to give God great control of your life?

Close your time by praying for one another.