Bible Stories for Adults

The Rich Man and Lazarus

Luke 16:19-31

Next Week - Our Heavenly Father Cares for Us (Matthew 6:24-34)
Bible Words to Remember:
Be strong, do not fear; your God will come ... He will come to save you. Isaiah 35:4

What parable begins and sets the tone for Luke 16?
Luke 16:1-6 = The Shrewd Manager - Looking out for himself over his master
What truths did Jesus explain with this parable?
Luke 16:10-12 = If can't handle earthly wealth, how can you handle true riches?
What are these true riches which Jesus refers to?
Ephesians 1:18; 2:7 (NIV) = the riches of His glorious inheritance; ...of His grace
What are the false riches that Jesus is contrasting?
1 Timothy 6:17 = The riches of this present world, wealth (God richly provides)

Why should we not trust in the riches of this world?
Mark 10:23-25 = It is very difficult for a rich man to enter heaven
Why is it hard for the rich to enter heaven? Is it evil to be rich?
Luke 16:13 = You cannot serve both God and Money (two masters)
Can man truly love and serve God enough to enter heaven?
Mark 10:26-27 = God sends His Spirit to give us the faith we need to be saved

Who had trouble with the lesson Jesus was teaching?
Luke 16:14 = The Pharisees, who loved money...
Why did the Pharisees love money and have trouble with Jesus' teaching?
Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 12, 6 (1-14) = Taught "Whom the Lord loves He makes rich"
How are we to handle the riches and blessings that God gives us?
Genesis 12:2-3 = I will bless you...you will be a blessing...all...blessed thru you

How did Jesus describe a man as one the Pharisees would see as truly blessed?
Luke 16:19 = Blessed with everything money could buy; lived in total luxury
What did Jesus say to the worldly rich in His revelation to John?
Revelation 3:17 = You think you're rich, but you're destitute in spiritual wealth

How did Jesus describe Lazarus? = Only name in a parable, God is my help (denotes faith)
Luke 16:20-21 = Lower existence than dogs; Rich man ignored him
How would the Pharisees understand this man's situation?
Isaiah 1:4, 6 = Punished by God for his evil, unloved, unblessed
How did Jesus understand this man's situation?
Matthew 25:45 = Whatever you didn't do for the least...you didn't do for me

What eventually happened to Lazarus and the rich man?
Luke 16:22 = Both died; rich man buried, Lazarus probably to dump
What was meant by angels carrying Lazarus while pall bearers carried the rich man?
Hebrews 1:14 = Angels serve those of God, world serves those of the world
What did the Jews understand when Jesus said Lazarus was carried to Abraham's bosom?
Matthew 8:11 = Jews looked forward to joining Abraham in heaven, by his side

How did the rich man's existence change after death?
Luke 16:23 = He went to hell (Hades; Sheol in OT), he was in torment
Why was the rich man in torment?
Matthew 25:46 = It is the place of eternal punishment for the evil

Although he never gave Lazarus even a crumb, what did the rich man now request?
Luke 16:24 = For Lazarus to serve him with a drop of water
Should the rich man expect such mercy?
James 2:13 = Those who do not give mercy will be judged without mercy
What did Jesus promise to those who give mercy to others in this life?
Matthew 5:7 = ...they will be shown mercy
How did Abraham respond to this request for mercy?
Luke 16:25 = You had your treasures on earth while Lazarus has his in heaven
What advise did Jesus give about where we are to store our treasures, and why?
Matthew 6:19-21 = Store in heaven; where your treasure is, your heart will be

Was Abraham being uncaring by refusing to help the rich man?
Luke 16:26 = No, they couldn't anyway because of chasm between heaven & hell
What parable did Jesus speak that further discussed this separation after death?
Matthew 13:24-30 = W&w separated at harvest, weeds burned, wheat to barn

Did the rich man finally respect Lazarus, or did he still consider him lower as a servant?
Luke 16:27 = Still asked for Lazarus to serve his family
What job did the rich man want Lazarus to do?
Luke 16:28 = Warn his 5 brothers that heaven & hell are real

Did Abraham agree that this was needed?
Luke 16:29 = No, they should listen to Moses and the Prophets
What did Abraham mean by Moses and the Prophets?
Acts 28:23 = Pentateuch referred to as Moses, rest of OT as Prophets
Who are we to listen to? = From visit by Moses & prophet Elijah, represent Law and Prophets
Luke 9:30-31, 35 = To Jesus, God's Son

Why did the rich man feel that a return by Lazarus would be more effective?
Luke 16:30 = Resurrection of a dead man will get them to repent
Did Abraham agree with this logic?
Luke 16:31 = No, if they ignore M&P, they won't be convinced by a miracle

How did Jesus later give an opportunity to prove which was correct?
John 11:39-40, 43-44 = He raised his friend Lazarus from the dead
Did this resurrection get the rich man's brothers (the Pharisees) to repent?
John 11:46-48, 53 = No, it prompted them to kill Jesus
What other miraculous sign was given to the Pharisees that they ignored?
Matthew 12:38-42 = Jesus - greater than signs of Jonah or Solomon

What happens at death?
Luke 16:22 = Angels escort the faithful to heaven
Are we conscious in the other life?
Luke 16:23 = Yes, the rich man was very conscious
Will we know each other in the other life?
Luke 16:23 = The rich man recognized Lazarus

Is there any difference in the places where the dead go?
Luke 16:23-25 = Definitely - great torment & suffering in hell, paradise in heaven
Is there any hope of a second chance?
Luke 16:26 = No, a great chasm is fixed which noone can pass over

195. What do the Scriptures teach of the resurrection of the body?
God will raise up me and all the dead, so that our bodies...shall be made alive.
John 5:28-29a = ...all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out.
Job 19:25-27 = After my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God

196. What difference will there be in the resurrection of the dead?
A. The believers will rise with glorified bodies to everlasting life in heaven.
Philippians 3:21 = He will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body
B. The unbelievers will rise to eternal death,...shame, contempt and torment in hell.
Isaiah 66:24 = Their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched...

197. What do the Scriptures teach of eternal life?
A. At...death the soul of the believer is at once received into the presence of Christ.
Luke 23:43 = Today you will be with me in paradise
B. The believer will live with Christ, according to body & soul, in eternal joy & glory
1 John 3:2 = When He appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is
198. To whom will God give eternal life?
God will give eternal life to me and all believers, but to believers only.
John 3:36 = Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects...
199. Are you sure that you will enter eternal life?
I firmly believe..God has..called me by the Gospel,..chosen me..unto life everlasting
Ephesians 1:3-6 = He chose us before the creation...to be adopted
John 10:27-28 = I know my sheep, I give them eternal life..no one can snatch them
200. Why do you close this article with the words "This is most certainly true"?
Because all that I confess in this article is plainly taught in the Bible; therefore I firmly believe it.