In His brief conversation with the demon-possessed man in Luke 8, Jesus asked for the demon’s name, perhaps to highlight the complexity of the scenario for His disciples who were with Him. He certainly did not do this as a means to gain power over the demon. He already had the power.
No, this was not an example of naming your oppressor to have victory over it. Jesus needed no magic, talisman, or ritual to free the man from his oppressor. He is the Son of the Most High God, and one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord (Phil. 2:10-11). But it is worth noting that at this moment, the demon-possessed man fell at Jesus’ feet. While the fullness of Jesus’ rule has not yet come to earth due to the patience of God, Jesus remains sovereign nonetheless, a truth even the demons know full well.
Because Jesus is sovereign over this world, over all things both physical and spiritual, we can know that nothing, including the sinful and scary work of demons, has the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:39). By faith in Jesus, we are forever free to live, run, fall, and crawl in His never-ending love.
Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Adults
Every week for Volume 4: From Captivity to the Wilderness, Ken Braddy, Lifeway’s director of Sunday School, will offer guidance to help leaders prepare to lead and teach each session of The Gospel Project for Adults.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Students
Every week, student ministry leaders offer guidance to help leaders prepare to lead and teach each session of The Gospel Project for Students. Listen in as he shares:
- The main point of the session
- Any challenges and opportunities for additional discussion that may arise during this session
- Encouragements for leaders
Podcast (studentsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
A Final Reminder
Don’t forget, you can find tools to help you prepare and lead the discussion in the Additional Resources for this volume. We hope these are a blessing to you as you walk through this session together.
*This week’s leader devotional is written by Daniel Davis. It is adapted from the daily devotions for Unit 24, Session 1 from The Gospel Project for Adults’ Daily Discipleship Guide.
