This Bible study lesson is for people who are learning English (ELL or ESL students). It is made for advanced beginner and intermediate English learners. Children who speak English or adults who prefer easy English may also enjoy it and learn from it.
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Lesson Icebreaker Question
Have you ever argued with someone about who was better at something? What happened?
Lesson Highlight
In this lesson, we will learn how Jesus taught his disciples to be humble and kind. We will also hear how Jesus showed them that people who follow him should not fight over who is most important.
Vocabulary List (GNT)
- About — Close to or almost a certain time, number, or amount.
- Against — Not on the same side; in opposition to someone or something.
- Among — In the middle of a group of people or things.
- Argument — A talk where people disagree and say different opinions.
- Broke Out — Started suddenly, like a fight or argument.
- Child — A young boy or girl.
- Demon — An evil spirit that can hurt people.
- Disciples — The followers and students of Jesus.
- Driving Out — Forcing someone or something to leave.
- Greatest — Better or more important than others.
- Group — A number of people or things gathered together.
- In My Name — Doing something with the authority or power of a person, in this case, Jesus.
- Knew — Understood or was aware of something.
- Least — The smallest in amount, importance, or position.
- Master — A respectful name for a teacher or leader.
- Other — A different one, not the same as before.
- Sent — Caused someone to go somewhere for a reason.
- Side — The area next to something or someone.
- Stop — To make something end or not continue.
- Thinking — Using your mind to have ideas or understand something.
- Took — Picked up or grabbed something.
- Welcomes — Is kind to someone and makes them feel accepted.
Summary of the Passage
This passage begins with Jesus’ disciples arguing. They wanted to know which one of them was the greatest. They were thinking about who was most important. Jesus knew what they were thinking in their hearts. He wanted to teach them something different.
Jesus called a child to stand beside him. In their time, people did not think children were very important. But Jesus said that welcoming a child was like welcoming him. And welcoming Jesus is like welcoming God. Then Jesus told them that the person who is the least, or the one people think is not important, is actually the greatest in God’s eyes.
Next, John, one of the disciples, spoke up. He said they saw a man driving out demons in Jesus’ name. But they told him to stop because he was not part of their group. Jesus told them not to stop the man. If someone was not against them, that person was for them.
This passage teaches us that Jesus cares about humble hearts, not about being the best or most important. It also shows that God can use many people to do good, not just the people in one small group. Jesus wants his followers to welcome others with kindness.
Read The Passage
Who Is the Greatest?
Luke 9:46-50 (GNT)
46 An argument broke out among the disciples as to which one of them was the greatest.
47-48 Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he took a child, stood him by his side, and said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, also welcomes the one who sent me. For the one who is least among you all is the greatest.”
Whoever Is Not against You Is for You
49 John spoke up, “Master, we saw a man driving out demons in your name, and we told him to stop, because he doesn’t belong to our group.”
50 “Do not try to stop him,” Jesus said to him and to the other disciples, “because whoever is not against you is for you.”
Most English learners should use the New International Reader’s Version (NIRV) or the Good News Translation (GNT) because they are easy to read. If you want to try something harder, you can read one of the other Bible versions:
- Very Easy: New International Reader’s Version: Luke 9:46-50 (NIRV)
- Easy: Good News Translation: Luke 9:46-50 (GNT)
- Medium: New Living Translation: Luke 9:46-50 (NLT)
- Hard: New International Version: Luke 9:46-50 (NIV)
- Very Hard: English Standard Version: Luke 9:46-50 (ESV)
Comprehension Questions
- What were the disciples arguing about?
- How did Jesus know what the disciples were thinking?
- What did Jesus do to teach them a lesson?
- Why was it important that Jesus chose a child?
- What did Jesus say about welcoming a child?
- Who spoke to Jesus about another man driving out demons?
- Why did the disciples tell the man to stop?
- What did Jesus say about stopping the man?
- What does it mean when Jesus says, “Whoever is not against you is for you”?
Application Questions
- Why do you think people like to argue about being the best?
- How can we be humble like Jesus teaches us?
- Who is someone you can welcome and be kind to this week?
- Why is it important to remember that God can use many different people to do good?
Theological Insights
- Jesus teaches that the most important people are often those with humble hearts.
- God cares about kindness and welcoming others, even those people think are not important.
- Followers of Jesus should work together and not fight about being the best.
- God can use many people to do good, even if they are not part of the same group.
- We should be glad when others are doing good in Jesus’ name.
Closing Prayer
Dear Father, thank you for teaching us to be humble and kind. Help us to welcome others and be happy when good things are done in your name. Amen.
ELL Resources for the Gospel of Luke
More ELL Resources
You can find more Bible lessons for English learners on the main ELL page.
Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
Joyful Moments in Christ 