Joyful Moments in Christ

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

What is something kind someone has done for you? How did it make you feel?

Lesson Highlight

In this lesson, we will learn about a time when Jesus taught his friends about being a good servant. We will see how Jesus loves his people, even when they make mistakes. We will also learn how we can be kind and help others.

Vocabulary List (GNT)

1. Argument — A strong talk between people who do not agree.
2. Brother — A man or boy who has the same parents as you. In this passage, it is a close friend in a group.
3. Coat — A piece of clothing you wear over your clothes to keep warm.
4. Criminal — A person who breaks the law.
5. Die — To stop living.
6. Disciples — The close friends and followers of Jesus.
7. Faith — Trust and belief in God.
8. Farmer — A person who grows food or raises animals.
9. Friend — A person you like and trust.
10. Greatness — Being very good, important, or famous.
11. King — A man who rules a country.
12. Kingdom — A place ruled by a king.
13. Lack — To not have something you need.
14. Lord — A name people use for God or Jesus.
15. Pagan — A person who does not follow God.
16. People — Men, women, and children.
17. Power — The ability to lead or control people.
18. Pray — To talk to God.
19. Purse — A small bag to carry money.
20. Right — Something you are allowed to have or do.
21. Rooster — A male chicken.
22. Ruler — A person in charge of a place or people.
23. Scripture — The holy writings in the Bible.
24. Separate — To divide things or people.
25. Servant — A person who works for someone else.
26. Serve — To help or work for others.
27. Share — To let someone else have part of what you have.
28. Shoes — Something you wear on your feet.
29. Simon — Another name for Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples.
30. Strengthen — To make someone feel strong and brave.
31. Sword — A long, sharp weapon.
32. Test — A hard time to show if something is true or good.
33. Throne — A special chair for a king.
34. Trials — Hard and painful times.
35. Twelve Tribes of Israel — The families of God’s people in the Bible.
36. Wheat — A plant used to make bread.
37. Chaff — The dry, useless part of wheat taken away by the farmer.

Summary of the Passage

This passage tells a story about Jesus and his friends, called the disciples. They were having an important meal together before a very hard time was going to happen to Jesus. While they were sitting together, the disciples started to argue. They wanted to know who was the most important person in their group.

Jesus told them that being great does not mean being the boss. He said the one who is great is the one who helps others, like a servant. Jesus said he came to serve, not to be served. He wanted his friends to care for people, not to fight about who was the best.

Then, Jesus talked to his friend Simon Peter. He told Peter that a hard test was coming. Peter said he would always stay with Jesus, even if it meant going to jail or dying. But Jesus knew Peter would say he did not know him three times before the rooster crowed in the morning.

At the end, Jesus told his disciples to get ready. He reminded them that when he sent them before with nothing, God took care of them. But now hard times were coming, and they needed to be ready. He also told them that the Bible said he would be treated like a criminal, and that would happen very soon.

This passage teaches us that Jesus wants his people to be humble and kind. It shows us that Jesus loves us, even when we make mistakes. He wants us to serve others and trust him when life is hard.

Read The Passage

The Argument about Greatness
24 An argument broke out among the disciples as to which one of them should be thought of as the greatest.
25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the pagans have power over their people, and the rulers claim the title ‘Friends of the People.’
26 But this is not the way it is with you; rather, the greatest one among you must be like the youngest, and the leader must be like the servant.
27 Who is greater, the one who sits down to eat or the one who serves? The one who sits down, of course. But I am among you as one who serves.
28 “You have stayed with me all through my trials;
29 and just as my Father has given me the right to rule, so I will give you the same right.
30 You will eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom, and you will sit on thrones to rule over the twelve tribes of Israel.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
31 “Simon, Simon! Listen! Satan has received permission to test all of you, to separate the good from the bad, as a farmer separates the wheat from the chaff.
32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you turn back to me, you must strengthen your brothers.”
33 Peter answered, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you and to die with you!”
34 “I tell you, Peter,” Jesus said, “the rooster will not crow tonight until you have said three times that you do not know me.”
Purse, Bag, and Sword
35 Then Jesus asked his disciples, “When I sent you out that time without purse, bag, or shoes, did you lack anything?”
“Not a thing,” they answered.
36 “But now,” Jesus said, “whoever has a purse or a bag must take it; and whoever does not have a sword must sell his coat and buy one.
37 For I tell you that the scripture which says, ‘He shared the fate of criminals,’ must come true about me, because what was written about me is coming true.”
38 The disciples said, “Look! Here are two swords, Lord!”
“That is enough!” he replied.

Luke 22:24-38 (GNT)

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 22:24-38 (NIRV)
• Easy: Good News Translation: Luke 22:24-38 (GNT)
• Medium: New Living Translation: Luke 22:24-38 (NLT)
• Hard: New International Version: Luke 22:24-38 (NIV)
• Very Hard: English Standard Version: Luke 22:24-38 (ESV)

Comprehension Questions

1. What were the disciples arguing about?
2. What did Jesus say about being great?
3. Who did Jesus say is greater: the person sitting or the person serving?
4. What promise did Jesus make to his disciples?
5. What did Jesus say would happen to Simon Peter?
6. How did Peter answer Jesus?
7. What did Jesus say about the rooster?
8. What question did Jesus ask about having a purse, bag, or shoes before?
9. What did Jesus say the disciples needed to do now?
10. What did Jesus say would happen to him, like the Bible said?
11. How many swords did the disciples show Jesus?
12. What did Jesus say when they showed him the swords?

Application Questions

1. Have you ever argued about who is better at something? How did it feel?
2. Why do you think Jesus wants us to serve others?
3. When life is hard, what can we do to stay strong?
4. Who can you help or be kind to this week?
5. How does it feel to know Jesus loves you, even when you make mistakes?

Theological Insights

1. Jesus is the greatest King, but he chose to serve others.
2. Jesus loves his followers, even when they fail.
3. Jesus prays for his people to stay strong in hard times.
4. The Bible tells the truth about what happens to Jesus.
5. Jesus teaches us to be ready for the hard times in life.

Closing Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for sending Jesus to love us and teach us. Help us to serve others and trust you when life is hard. 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.