How would you describe the main theme of this passage? How would you summarize in one sentence what happens in the narrative? How would you describe the main ways that we could apply it to our lives as Christians today?

How does Jesus display a heart of mercy and compassion in this text?

Why is it significant that Jesus not only heals the man with a withered hand, but that He does so publicly, and that Jesus identifies with the man in front of everyone present?

Jesus not only displays His mercy by identifying with the man (Luke 6:8). He also displays His sovereignty by actually healing his withered hand (Luke 6:10). Why is the sovereignty of Jesus such an important Christian doctrine?

How does the compassion and sovereignty of Jesus set Him apart from any other religious leader or teacher that has ever come before or since?

We see a variety of ways to respond to Jesus from the respective characters in this passage - the man with the withered hand (Luke 6:8-10), and the Pharisees (Luke 6:7, 11). What can we learn from them about how we are (and are not) to respond to Jesus ourselves, as Christians?

Why do you think that frustration and resentment and hostility come so naturally to the human heart (Luke 6:11)? What are some practical ways that we can be repenting of these tendencies, and striving to overcome them?

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