19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ 27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”
Luke 16:19-31
Q & A:
- As God has created us into three-part being (spirit, soul and body), explain what the physical body is and what its functions are. All of us will die regardless of our social status in society, discuss what are the two kinds of death and why we should not be in fear about our destination after death. (Luke 16:19-20; 2 Cor 5:1,6; 1 John 4:17-18)
- From the passage where the rich man and the beggar (Lazarus) died and went to different destinations, discuss your understanding on the departed spirit and spirit man. Keeping our physical body in good health is important, but knowing that the spirit man is the eternal being after all, what changes can you make in developing your spirit man. (1 Thes 5:23; Heb 4:12; 2 Cor 5:17)
- Knowing that the new creation is found in the spirit man where God removes the sin nature, explain why a born-again believer still be facing temptations and need to deal with the flesh (sum of appetites and desires) daily. Share your most memorable experience of being sensitive to the prompting through the spirit man or in grieving the Holy Spirit. (John 7:38; Eph 4:30)