A House on the Rock

Luke 6:46-49

Key Verse 6:48

He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

** This passage further illustrates the point shared in the previous lesson entitled "A tree and its fruit", in that it teaches us how we can bear good fruit that God desires, by laying the foundation of our life on Jesus Christ, the rock. What then is it to build our life on Jesus the rock? It teaches us three steps: coming to him; hearing him; and practicing what Jesus says.

1. Memorize verse 46. This passage indicates that Jesus' disciples (to whom Jesus speaks) loved to call Jesus, "Lord, Lord."  What does this practice (calling Jesus "Lord") suggest to us about them? Yet, what does Jesus' rebuke here teach us about the real meaning of a "disciple"? 

** They came to Jesus, and are now hearing (or learning from) Jesus. They recognized that Jesus is better than they are. They accepted Jesus as their master.

** It shows us that if we are truly his disciples, we must obey what Jesus says.

2. In verse 47 Jesus sets forth the way of a disciple in three steps: 1) come to Jesus; 2) hear Jesus' words; and 3) put them into practice. What does "practice" mean? What does the word "practice" indicate about the way of a true disciple?

** Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary: practice means "to perform or work at repeatedly so as to become proficient; to train by repeated exercises; to carry out and apply; to do or perform often, customarily, or habitually; to be professionally engaged in..."

** The way is not an easy way. Just as a man becomes a professional football player or a great musician (as in the case of a violinist or pianist) through diligent practice, so also a disciple becomes a true disciple by struggling hard to practice what Jesus is saying, despite many difficulties. 

3. In verses 48 and 49 Jesus classifies his followers into two categories: 1) those who come to him, hear his words, and put his words into practice; and 2) those who complete the first two steps, but skip the last step (practicing Jesus’ words). The "ends" of the two are the opposite. What do you think Jesus means by: 

1) dug down deep; 

2) laid the foundation; 

3) rock; 

4) a flood came;

5) the torrent struck; and 

6) it collapsed; and 

7) its destruction was complete? 

** Dug down deep - it suggests the need for us to write a deep Bible testimony, trying to internalize what we hear from Jesus, and get ourselves corrected according to Jesus' word, going down to the deep level (bottom) of what is inside of the vast world of our heart. 

** Lay the foundation - foundation refers to the principles, constitutions, view points on God, people, and the world. 

** Rock - Jesus Christ. 1Co 10:4

** Flood - That which engulfs man. Psa 124:4a (Example - the wicked ways of life of people in the day of Noah.) See also the 16 categories of the enemies that might hinder our relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ in Romans 8:35-39, i.e., trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword, death, life, angels, demons, present, future, any powers, height, depth, and all the rest. 

** Torrent - That which sweeps over man. Psa 124:4b (Example – see answer to “flood”)

** Collapse - fall or disintegrate. 

** Its destruction was complete - falls victim to the evil attacks. 

4. What does this passage teach us about the significance of a foundation? How can we lay the foundation of our house on the rock? 

** It keeps the house (of your integrity as a child of God) intact despite counter influences (forces).

** By putting the words of Jesus (as in Luke 6:27-42) despite difficulties and hardships. 

The end

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