Encounters with Jesus
08. THE CENTURION
Read through Luke 7:1-10 and answer the following questions:
1. As in previous encounters, in what manner did the centurion
approach Jesus?
The centurion said he is not worthy to have Jesus in his home. He still believed that if Jesus says
the word his servant would be healed. Jesus proclaimed he had not found faith like the
centurions in all of Israel.
2. For whom was the centurion beseeching?
Bible Text – Luke 7:2
Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by
him.
3. What did the centurion do once he heard of Jesus?
Bible Text – Luke 7:3
When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come
and heal his servant.
4. On what basis did the elders think the centurion was worthy of
Jesus’ help? How can we be similar to the elders today?
Bible Text – Luke 7:4-5
When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do
this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.
5. What does the Bible warn against this kind of attitude?
Bible Text – James 2:1-9
Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and
heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? but if you show partiality, you
commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
6. What was Jesus response?
For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not
commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
7. Contrast the Centurion’s response to the elders? Who do the elders and centurion represent and
what lessons can we learn from different attitudes?
Bible Text – Luke 7:6-7
Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent
friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou
shouldest enter under my roof: wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee:
but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
8. How did the Centurion want Jesus to heal? What application can we draw?
Bible Text – Luke 7:7
I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my
servant will be healed.
9. Who was the Centurion comparing Jesus to? What was he trying to say about Jesus?
Bible Text – Luke 7:8
I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over
my soldiers. I only need to say, 'Go,' and they go, or 'Come,' and they come. And if I say to my
slaves, 'Do this,' they do it
10. Compare the Centurion’s attitude with the Nobleman’s.
Bible Text – John 4:47-48
I doubt that these two accounts refer to the same incident. There are a number of significant
discrepancies. The centurion approached Jesus in Cana, the "royal official" in Capernaum. The
centurion was seeking healing for his servant, the official for his son. The interaction between
Jesus and these two men was also quite different. In the case of the centurion, Jesus initially
offered to go to his house, but the man himself, in a tremendous display of humility and faith,
turned down the offer, confessing his unworthiness, and saying that the word of Jesus alone was
enough. The royal official on the other hand was repeatedly imploring Jesus to come to his
house. It was Jesus who declined to go there, telling the man to go home, and that his son
would be healed.
11. What can we learn about faith from the Centurion’s example?
The Lessons From The Centurion’s Faith What we can learn from the centurion’s faith is that we should
ask for help using wisdom, to build faith through understanding, and become a person of value.
12. Discuss Jesus’ conclusion.
Bible Text – Matthew 8:10-12
We desire to help everyone find and know God. The most important news since time began is
that there has been one true God since the beginning of eternity past. The historical records
preserved in the Old Testament tell us that there is only one God and the New Testament finally
reveals His name Jesus Christ. How would anyone know about God if everyone who follows
Jesus Christ kept quiet? Therefore, we are speaking out about Jesus. We encourage everyone to
trust Jesus as Savior, Lord, and God. One of Jesus’ followers wrote these words.
