Reel Luke

Jesus Teaches About Rocks & Trees

Luke 6:43-46

Helpful Stuff to Know

These two short teachings of Jesus come at the end of a longer collection of teachings sometimes called The Beatitudes. They are also found in the book of Matthew (Matthew 7:24-27 and Matthew 12:34-35) but Matthew puts the teaching about trees and fruit in a different setting.

Tree and rock imagery show up often in the whole Bible. Trees show up on the first, the last pages, and everywhere in between when something important happens or when God is present (in the garden of Eden, the burning bush, Moses’ staff, throughout the Psalms, the cross, and more). Rocks are an image of strong foundations and unshakeable faithfulness (after the rain, the ark rests on a rock, Moses strikes a rock for water, God is our rock and refuge, and more). Today, thousands of years after the Bible was written, we still see and understand trees and rocks. They are timeless images.

Luke says that Jesus taught these things to his disciples and followers. Since we are his disciples and followers today, we should pay careful attention to what he says in these verses.

Verse 45 explains that our words, attitudes, and actions (head and hands) flows from inside us (heart). It’s a great example of what it means to be a whole and holy follower of Jesus. (Check our the Head-Heart-Hands series for more about this.)

Jesus doesn’t offer us cheap and easy promises. He intends to change us from the inside out (which can turn our lives upside down) and he asks us to give ourselves to him completely (not just partially, not just when it’s convenient, not just in word only).

Jesus wants us to surrender to him not just as our Savior and friend, but also as our Lord and King.

Be Careful About

Sometimes a "good tree" (someone who follows Jesus and tries to live for him) messes up, makes a mistake, and produces "bad fruit." That doesn't mean they are no longer a Christian or a follower of Jesus. It means they need to confess and move forward in humble obedience. But if someone continually and intentionally disobeys God, lives for themself, and regularly produces "bad fruit" in their lives, there's a good chance that they haven't fully given their life to Jesus yet.

Reel Questions

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Reel Setting (place)

  • Where did this story happen? (Describe the setting — in a house, on a road, by a lake, in a city, etc.)
  • What do you think that place looked like? smelled like? sounded like?
  • Do you think it matters that this story happened in that specific place? Why?
  • What about the place in this story feels familiar? What feels strange?

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Reel People (characters)

  • Make a list of all the people in this story and give a one-word description of each (include “crowd” if there is one). Why did you choose that word?
  • What does Jesus say and do in this story? List all the things. Does anything surprise you? Why?
  • Which person (besides Jesus) is most interesting to you? Why?
  • What details about the characters do you wish were included or explained in the story? Why?
  • Why do you think [choose a specific character or the crowd] spoke or acted the way they did?
  • What are some different things that [the person from previous question] could have said or done? How would that have changed the story?
  • What do you think the onlookers were thinking and feeling as things were happening in this story? Why?
  • How do you think the main characters might have changed after this story? Why? (Sometimes it tells us, like with Zacchaeus, but other times it doesn’t.)
  • How do you think the crowd or onlookers might have changed after this story? Why?
  • If you’d been there, where would you have been standing or sitting? What would you have been thinking or feeling? Why?

 

Reel Events (plot)

  • List all the events in the story.
  • List some details that aren't included but are assumed in the story.
  • What do you think are the two or three most important moments in this story? Why?
  • If this story were a film, when would the music be scary or tense? When would it be joyful or upbeat? Why?
  • What do you think maybe happened right before this story? What do you think maybe happened right after this story?
  • Does the biblical story before or after this one matter to this story? How? Why do you think that?
  • What are some different ways things could have happened or ended in this story?
  • If this story were happening today in your school or town, what are ways Jesus might have acted or explained things for your context?
  • What would you call this story if it were a full-length book or movie? Why?

 

Real Faith

  • What’s a way people could misunderstand or misuse this story?
  • Why do you think this story is in the Bible? Why would God want us to read and learn from it?
  • What are you learning about Jesus (or his Father or the Spirit) from this story?
  • What are you learning about following Jesus (living for Jesus and living like Jesus) from this story?
  • After reading this story, what are some questions you have about Jesus and following him?

 

Story-Specific Questions

Why do you think Jesus used trees and rocks to teach these lessons to his followers?

What other things about trees and rocks could be lessons for people who follow Jesus?

How do a person's thoughts and desires impact their actions (verse 45)?

What do you think it means to build a life on solid rock? How could a follower of Jesus do this?

What do you think the original hearers thought about the things Jesus said in these verses? Why?