Power and Influence: A Bible Study in Luke 4

Written by: 
Jeff Barneson

Paul wrote comparing our attitudes to that of Christ:

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5-8).

The Scripture and Background

Read Luke 4:1-13.

Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness is a paradigm for those who work in his name:

  • He refused to satisfy only physical needs and bring about immediate results (verse 3).
  • He refused to so something spectacular and prove his invulnerability (verse 10).
  • He refused to use coercive power to accomplish his objectives (verse 5).

Issues Raised

If Jesus rejected coercive power as a means to accomplish his goals, shouldn’t we follow his example?

Is power itself evil?

In the text (Luke 4:5-6), Satan claims to be the one who controls and bestows worldly power. Does this tell us anything about power-granting institutions like business schools?

If we reject worldly power and influence to accomplish our goals, how ought we to lead?

Discussion Questions

What are some of the expressions of power which are a part of our daily life in business school?

Are any of the temptations faced by Jesus in the wilderness similar to pressures we face here? How do you cope with them personally? How can we help one another?

Paul experienced Christ’s power in the midst of weakness. How might his experience and insight inform our approach to power?

“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10, NIV).

What does it mean to allow Christ’s power to “rest upon us”? Is it possible to lead from a position of “weakness”?

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Tags: Spiritual Formation | Bible Study | Jesus | Leadership