A Christmas Bible Study "Good News of Great Joy:"
The Book of Luke
DATE: (12/12/14)
WEEK # 1
Prayer:
We bow our head and heart to the Savior of the world. In prayer at this moment we praise You. We come before You offering thanksgiving in our hearts. Lord Jesus, our gift to You today is praises on high, for there is no other Savior we know. Thousands of years ago the heaven song in thunderous praises singing unto You. Today our hearts sing praises to You. Open the eyes of our hearts, minds, souls to receive what we need to live a life pleasing to You. The Gospel of Luke tells of the good news of great joy, and we want to learn more of that good news in this study. Thank You, Lord, for answering our prayers. AMEN!
The Beginning Part (1)
Author: The author is not specifically identified in the book of Luke. This is true of most all of the historical books of the Bible. Early Christian writings of Justin Martyr (ca. 100-165) through Tertullian (born ca. 160) identify the author as Luke. Luke was a very educated man in his day and a physician. Colossians 4:10-14 seems to indicate that he was a Gentile. This would mean that Luke was the only Gentile author of a New Testament book.
Apparently, Luke was not an eyewitness to the events surrounding Jesus. Luke's Gospel narrative is the result of his efforts in analyzing the accounts of those who were eyewitnesses. It
is likely that Luke became a believer relatively late since there is no mention of him until his presence with Paul is noted in the "we" sections of another narrative he wrote – the book of Acts
(Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1-28:16). 1 You may recall that John Mark, the writer of the Gospel of Mark, spent time with Peter, whereas Luke spent time with Paul.
Date of Writing:
Sometime in the early to mid-A.D. 60's is the most accepted dating of this Gospel by most theologians. This dating is based upon a couple of major arguments:--An interpretation of Luke 19:41-44 and 21:20-24 that concludes that Jesus was predicting the fall of Jerusalem that occurred in A.D. 70; _ The sequel to Luke, i.e. the Book of Acts, does not record either Peter's death, Paul's death, or even the fall of Jerusalem. Both of these points lead to a conclusion by most theologians that Luke's Gospel was written prior to the fall of Jerusalem.
Recipients:
Luke was the only Gospel addressed to an individual, i.e. Theophilus (1:3) who was most likely a Gentile believer. Luke's Gospel was designed to reassure Theophilus that God was still at work accomplishing His purposes even among Gentiles even though the promises relating to Jesus' ministry were intimately connected to Israel. Jesus was preached to Gentiles so that they too could know the kingdom program of God and participate in the kingdom by accepting the offer of the kingdom.
Explore the Gospel: Luke
The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are the two parts of a work addressed to Theophilus (compare Luke 1:1-4 with Acts 1:1-2). The author of Acts apparently accompanied Paul on some of his journeys – note the "we" in Acts 16:10-17;20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1–28:16. A comparison of Acts with Paul's epistles indicates that Luke the physician was the author of Acts and the third gospel. Theophilus was frustrated. He was a wealthy man and had a responsible position in society. Others might have thought he "had it made." But Theophilus lived up to his name, which meant "lover of God." He was still looking for the truth. Although he was a Gentile, he was fascinated by the religion of the Jews. He had recently come into contact with an unusual sect, who on the one hand seemed to be Jewish, and yet were rejected and even hated by them. These people were known as Christians, after their leader, Christ. Something about Christ's radical teachings fascinated Theophilus. In spite of his education and position, he was at heart a humble man. Christ seemed also to have been humble, even though his followers claimed that he was God. Christ had been dead – executed as a criminal – several decades ago, but he was already a legend. His followers claimed he had worked miracles, walked on water, and had even raised the dead. He could easily have become rich and famous, but he chose to live and work among ordinary people. He considered everyone – even the lowliest outcasts and misfits – worthy of respect. But were these stories true? Christ and his revolutionary way of life fascinated the gentle Theophilus, but before he could commit himself to it he needed to know more. But how? Were Christ's devoted disciples, who even seemed ready to die for him, reliable? They were mostly uneducated. Some were even slaves! Were their stories to be trusted? Well, he did know someone he could trust. This man was a Christian, and an educated person like himself. He was known as Luke, the beloved physician. He had not known Christ personally, but he was a meticulous scholar. Luke, knowing that Theophilus needed a careful explanation of the factual basis for the Christian beliefs, sent him a carefully written manuscript. It began:
So many others have tried their hand at putting together a story of the wonderful harvest of Scripture and history that took place among us, using reports handed down by the original eyewitnesses who served this Word with their very lives. Since I have investigated all the reports in close detail, I decided to write it out for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can know beyond the shadow of doubt the reliability of what you have been taught. Fascinated, Theophilus settled down to study the manuscript – the first person to read what we now know as… The Gospel According to St. Luke.
Maybe this is not exactly the way it happened. But something like this prompted Luke, the "beloved physician" to put pen to papyrus and write a definitive account of the life of Jesus Christ. The result was a thoroughly researched and beautifully written narrative of what Jesus was like and what he did.
Luke's Gospel is not a dry theological treatise. He was excited by what he had discovered, and he wanted to share that excitement and joy with his readers. "Gospel" is an old English word meaning "good news." No one has conveyed that good news better than the "beloved physician."
What's in a name?
The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are the two parts of a work addressed to Theophilus (compare 1:1-4 with Acts 1:1-2). The author of Acts apparently accompanied Paul on some of his journeys – note the "we" in Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1 – 28:16. A comparison of Acts with Paul's epistles indicates that Luke the physician was the author of Acts and, hence, of the third Gospel.
Outline of Luke
Luke tells the story of Jesus' life and ministry.
1. The preparation (1:1–4:13)
The events preceding Jesus' ministry can be divided into three sections:
1:1-4 The prologue, where Luke explains his purpose in writing his gospel.
1:5–2:52 Jesus' birth and early years. Luke shows parallels between the annunciation and birth stories of John the Baptist and Jesus.
3:1–4:13 The ministry of John the Baptist and the preparation for Jesus' ministry, baptism and his victory over Satan.
2. Jesus' Public Ministry (4:14–21:38)
4:14–9:50 Jesus' ministry in Galilee: Preaching in the synagogues and performing miracles, which helped the people but began to bring him into conflict with the religious authorities.
9:51–19:27 "Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem" and is eventually welcomed triumphantly. Throughout this section, Luke mentions several times that Jesus is on a journey (9:52-53, 56; 10:1, 38; 13:22, 31-33; 14:25; 17:11, 18:31, 35; 19:1, 11, 28). (However, it is historically likely that Jesus made several trips back and forth from Galilee to Jerusalem; Luke presents it as a single journey to reflect the theological truth that he was destined to die in Jerusalem and he never wavered from his goal).
This section contains many parables unique to Luke's Gospel:
The good Samaritan (10:29-37)
The friend at midnight (11:5-8)
The rich fool (12:13-20)
The returning master (12:35-38)
The barren fig tree (13:6-9)
The wedding banquet (14:7-14),
The great banquet (14:15-24)
The lost coin (15:11-32)
The shrewd manager (16:1-9)
Lazarus and the rich man (16:19-31)
The unjust judge (18:1-8)
The Pharisee and the tax-collector (18:9-14).
3. Jesus' ministry in Jerusalem 19:28–21:38
His triumphant entry, a lamentation over the city (19:41-44)
The 'cleansing' of the Temple (19:41-48)
His teaching on "tribute to Caesar" and the temple tax (21:1-38)
His prophecy of the destruction of the temple and the city of Jerusalem itself (21:1-38).
4. Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection. 22:1–24:53
The passion narrative portrays Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection. Luke includes three of Jesus' sayings on the cross not found in the other accounts (23:34, 43, 46), including a plea for God to forgive those who were crucifying him (23:34).
How to read this book:
In some ways, the best way to read Luke is to study it and Acts as a continuous work, written by the same author. For example, knowing how important the Holy Spirit is to the story in Acts helps us appreciate its role before and at Jesus' birth (1:15, 35, 41, 67; 2:25-26) and in guiding his ministry (3:22; 4:1, 18).
Luke-Acts, as the work is called by scholars, has a more historical emphasis than the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and John. As in the historical books of the Old Testament, God is the main character in Luke-Acts – his unseen hand guides events to fulfill his purpose. But Luke also places these events into "the context of world history. He connects it not only to the story of Israel but also to the larger oikoumene, the civilized world of Hellenism. Thus he alone of the evangelists provides chronological references for key events (see Luke 1:5; 2:1-2; 3:1-2; Acts 18:12)" (Luke Timothy Johnson, The Gospel of Luke, Sacra Pagina series, vol. 3, pp. 5-6).
Luke, an educated man, wrote in very good Greek. Where the parallel accounts merely transliterate a Hebrew or Latin word, Luke often uses a Greek word instead. Luke explains to his largely gentile audience how God's promises to Israel in the Old Testament came to be fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and how the gentile mission came to be included in those promises.
Learning about Jesus Christ
Although Luke, like the other evangelists, acknowledges Jesus' divine status, he is careful to stress his humanity as well. Luke portrays the Jesus who entered history as a human being. Only Luke's record of Jesus' genealogy goes back to Adam (3:23-38). Only Luke records:
· Jesus' circumcision (2:21)
· His presentation at the temple (2:22-38)
· His growth as a child (2:40)
· His meeting at age 12 with the religious leaders in the temple (2:28-38)
· His continued development "in wisdom and stature" (2:52). These precise details establish Jesus as a person in history.
·
Luke again stresses the humanity of Jesus in his full account of the temptation scene (4:1-13). He also paints Jesus against the background of pious Judaism. He mentions Jesus' custom of attending synagogue on the Sabbath (4:14-16, 31, 44) and that he was frequently the guest of Pharisees (7:36; 14:1).
Luke tells us, "Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" (Luke 5:16). Only Luke records Jesus praying at certain crucial periods in his life: at his baptism (3:21), before calling his disciples (6:12), before Peter's pivotal confession of Jesus as Christ (9:18) and before the transfiguration (9:28). These prayers highlight Jesus' human need to pray to God.
QUESTIONS/ANSWERS:
1. To whom is the gospel narrative, which begins in the form of a letter, addressed? Theophilus (Luke 1:3)
2. Who was the wife of Zacharias the priest?
Elizabeth (Luke 1:5)
3. Where was Zacharias when the angel of the Lord appeared to him?
In the temple sanctuary, offering incense (Luke 1:8-12)
4. Which angel appeared to Zachariah when he was burning incense in the temple of the Lord?
Angel Gabriel (Luke 1:19)
5. What sign was given to Zachariah because he did not believe the words of the angel regarding the birth of his child?
Zachariah became mute till the words became true (Luke 1:20)
6. In what city was Mary when the angel Gabriel appeared to her to announce the birth of her child?
Nazareth, a city of Galilee (Luke 1:26)
7. How many months were there between the annunciation of the birth of John and that of Jesus?
6 months (Luke 1:26, 36)
8. What name did Zachariah and Elizabeth give to their child?
John (Luke 1:60, 63)
9. Who made the decree just before Jesus' birth, that everyone should register and take part in a census?
Caesar Augustus (Luke 2:1)
10. What city is known as the city of David? Jerusalem
Questions:
1. What nationality was Dr. Luke?
2. As we know John Mark, the writer of the Gospel of Mark, spent time with Peter, who did Luke spend time with?
3. Luke was the only Gospel addressed to an individual, who was it?
4. Why do you suppose Dr. Luke mention several time of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem?
5. Who was the religious authorities during Jesus' ministry?
6. Name a few parables unique to Luke's Gospel.
7. Explain the cleansing of the Temple.
8. What is the best way to read the Gospel of Luke?
9. Who is the main Character in the Gospel of Luke?
10. Why did Dr. Luke use Greek words instead of Hebrew or Latin words?
11. Name some events in the Gospel of Luke that is not written in the other Gospel.
12. Only the Gospel of Luke records Jesus praying at certain crucial time, what are some of them?
A Christmas Song:
1. O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep,
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
2. For Christ is born of Mary,
And gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God, the King,
And peace to men on earth.
3. How silently, how silently,
The wondrous Gift is giv'n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still,
The dear Christ enters in.
4. O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sins and enter in,
Be born to us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell:
Oh, come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!
QUIZ: Christmas
True-False
_________ 1. Mary and Joseph traveled by donkey to Bethlehem.
_________ 2. Jesus was laid in a manger.
_________ 3. The cattle kept Joseph and Mary company in the stable.
_________ 4. The shepherds were told to follow a star.
_________ 5. Angels told the shepherds of Jesus' birth.
_________ 6. Three Wise Men visited Jesus.
_________ 7. The Wise Men found Jesus in a house.
_________ 8. The Angels Sang, "Glory to God in the Highest."
_________ 9. The Wise Men were kings who rode on camels
_________ 10. Herod wanted to find Jesus to worship Him.
_________ 11. The Wise Men presented gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Reading the book of Luke: Chapters 1-24 (optional)
Week 1 Luke 1-3
Luke 1:1-45 Introduction, Birth of John the Baptist and Birth of Jesus foretold
Luke 1:46-2:7 Mary's Song, Birth of John the Baptist and Birth of Jesus
Luke 2:8-52 Shepherds and Angles, Jesus Presented in the Temple, the Boy Jesus at the Temple
Luke 3:1-38 John the Baptist Prepares the Way, the Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus
Personal reflection question: Are there ever times in your own life when, like Mary, you do not understand what Jesus is asking of you?
No comments:
Post a Comment