Bible Study for Luke 1

Luke 1

Get Started:

1. Can you recall a miracle you experienced in your life? Have you ever witnessed a miracle?

Go Deeper:

2. Read Luke 1:1-4. Describe some of the ways you think Luke may have “carefully investigated” everything. (DNA testing, finger printing, GSR tests, etc.)

• According to the passage, eyewitnesses were available to interview.
• We learn from the book of Acts and Paul’s writings that Luke spent an extended period of time traveling with Paul. Luke certainly knew Paul, Silas, Timothy, Philip, James, the Jerusalem elders, and many others. He had first hand contact with people who had been discipled by Jesus Himself.
• It is said that the writings of Mark and Matthew were also being circulated at the time Luke was doing his research.

3. How do people normally find out they are going to become parents? In Luke 1:11, Zechariah finds out by divine messenger. What do you think it must have felt like for Zechariah and Elizabeth to have the birth of their son foretold in this way?

4. Do you think Zechariah and Elizabeth were prepared to become parents? After their son was born, how seriously do you think they took their parenting, considering what the angel told them? What might it have been like to grow up with parents like Zechariah and Elizabeth?

5. Read Isaiah 40:3-5 and Luke 1:76-77. Ultimately, John grew up and “prepared the way” for Jesus. John’s parents played a part in “preparing” John. If you are a parent, what are you doing to “prepare the way” for generations to come in your family?

6. Read Luke 1:11-20 and Luke 1:26-38. Contrast Zechariah’s response with Mary’s. What makes them different?

• Zechariah questions the truthfulness of the message, Mary questions the method for fulfilling the message.

7. Why didn’t Zechariah believe the angel? Is there a prayer that you have been lifting to God for a long time and not seen an answer to yet? What advice would Zechariah give you about this situation?

• I think Zechariah was frustrated by what appeared to be futility in his prayer life. There may not have been a more personally important prayer for him. In the culture of that day, if a family did not have children, it was thought that they were under God’s discipline. This would be pretty embarrassing for a priestly family.

8. Read Malachi 4:5-6. The Old Testament ends with this passage about Elijah returning. Compare the verse in Malachi to Luke 1:16-17. What connections do you see between this verse about Elijah and John the Baptist? Is John the Baptist the fulfillment of the prophesy in Malachi?

• Matthew 17:10 The disciples asked him, "Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" 11 Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

Making The Connection:
1) Is there something in your life that you’ve given up praying for? Renew your prayers.
2) Are you satisfied with the way you are "preparing the way"? (for your children, grand-children, congregation, others...) In what way would you like to improve? Pray about this and take action.

Quote Of The Day
The world is not lacking in wonders, but in a sense of wonder.
--G.K. Chesterton

Is Eternal Punishment Fair?

Why Hell?
Is everlasting punishment in hell unfair? What do you say to someone who thinks that the punishment doesn’t fit the crime? Meaning, our finite sin here on earth is receiving everlasting punishment in hell. It seems unbalanced or unfair.

Here are a few bullet point thoughts about this question:

• The criminal never gets to choose his punishment. Even in this world.
• We may think the punishment is disproportionate to the crime because we do not realize the severity and utter sinfulness of our deeds. (See Romans 7:13)
  
• In calling the punishment unfair, we appeal to our own sense of fairness as sinful, fallen, imperfect human beings instead of a holy, just, perfect God.
• The duration of punishment never has anything to do with the duration of the crime. It has to do with the severity of the crime. Compare committing fraud or embezzlement for years and years to a single moment of murder.
• If a person sinned once per waking hour from age 18 to age 70, that person would have committed 227,760 sins. Not that the quantity is important. I just thought the math was interesting.
• We under-estimate our sin.
• We under-estimate the impact, severity and magnitude of our sin.
• We under-estimate the holiness and justice of God.
• We over-estimate our own goodness.
• The ultimate and unfortunate irony for many people is that they had every opportunity to gain complete forgiveness and declined.

What’s even more of a mystery than the question of fairness in punishment, is the mystery of the quality and quantity of forgiveness offered to the un-deserving. But I guess no one is complaining about how unfair that is. :)

Antidote

Have you ever heard a statement like this one:
“I can’t believe you worship a god that would send someone to hell just because he doesn’t believe in Jesus.”

I think that statement totally misses the point.

Is it true that God sends people to hell for not believing in Jesus?
My answer is yes and no. Here is what I mean:

Usually, the reason people raise this question is because they have heard Christians explain it that way. We often haven’t been careful to communicate exactly what's going on here and why belief in Jesus is so important.

It's because belief in Jesus solves a problem.
The problem itself is what condemns people to hell, and if Jesus doesn't solve the problem then the problem doesn't get solved.
He's the only one capable of dealing with it.

The problem is sin.

Sin is like a disease that infects every single person on the planet.
And it has a 100% mortality rate.

One way of looking at this is to see mankind as desperately, deathly ill. What is the antidote? The antidote is forgiveness. It's available to everyone from the very One whom we have offended--God Himself. He offers forgiveness to the great and the small, to those who are the greatest sinners and the least sinners. Now you have a choice. Take the medicine or don't.

That's the answer to the question. The offer of forgiveness goes out to everyone. The antidote to the deadly disease is available to each and every person. It's up to us to accept it or not. If we don't, we perish, not because we don’t believe in Jesus but because we have refused the forgiveness of God.

Judgment=Condemnation?

When someone hears the word, “judgment”, they sometimes understand it as the word, “condemnation.” In other words, the definition of the word, “condemnation” is applied to the word, “judgment” in the mind of some.

The Day of Judgment is when the deeds, attitudes, thoughts, and words of all people will be judged (evaluated) and exposed for what they are.

In a court of law, there are several stages to a trial. There is the presentation of the case, at which time, the evidence is reviewed and witnesses are brought forward to testify. The judge hears the case and makes a judgment. His judgment leads to a verdict. After judgment and verdict come sentencing or punishment.

So, in this case, judgment is the process by which a verdict is reached. For believers, the verdict is one of “no condemnation” for Jesus had the penalty for sin poured out on Him. (Romans 8:1) For unbelievers the verdict comes back “condemned”. (John 3:17-18)

So, we see that judgment is not another word for condemnation but could result in condemnation.
When someone is on trial, the Day of Judgment can be a good thing if that day produces a “not guilty” verdict!

In Jesus Name

What does someone who holds the position of police officer mean when he says, “Stop in the name of the law”? Does he think that he is the law? Does he think that a person should “stop” because he said so? No, of course not. What the officer means is that he represents the law, speaks for the law, and is operating in the authority of the law. He has been duly sworn in as someone who is trusted with acting on behalf of and consistent with the law of the land. When the officer commands someone to stop, he is engaged in the rightful use of an authority that has been granted to him. The officer is the voice of the law.

What do we mean when we end our prayer by saying “In the name of Jesus, Amen”? Does adding that phrase to the end of our prayer make it more powerful? Is a prayer that ends with those words more likely to be heard and answered? When I looked for an example of a prayer that ended that way from the New Testament, I couldn’t find one. However, I think we should pray in Jesus’ name.

The question is: What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name?

I think praying in the name of Jesus is a lot like the police officer acting in the name of the law. It’s not about the words themselves. It’s about my position in Christ. It’s not that we have been asked to end all of our prayers with that phrase. Rather, we are to pray as one who has been given authority to do so. Our prayer is to be consistent with His will, His desires and His character. Maybe, instead of ending the prayer with, “In the name of Jesus, Amen,” a better idea could be to start off by saying “Father, I come before you, not in my own power, not in my own righteousness, not in my own capability. I come before you in the authority of Jesus, your Son, who gave me access by faith into this grace in which I now stand because of His blood. I come on the merits of Jesus, not on my own merits.”

I think this point is especially significant and thought provoking as I read through the New Testament and see all of the occasions when we are taught to do or act “in Jesus’ name.”

You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
(John 14:14)

When God Seems Silent

In Scripture, when God is silent, it is often punitive. In other words, God's silence is often a response to the rebellious and disobedient nature of His people.
But not always. As I read Scripture it occurrs to me that there are also times that God is silent as He brings His people through the trials of life. I've seen this most often in the Psalms.
Why do you think, when it seems like we need Him the most, God is silent? I think the answer to this question can also be found in the Psalms. As I read the Psalms, I notice that the authors tend to use God's silence as a time for personal reflection, petition, crying out and seeking Him. I also noticed the sheer determination on the part of the author to recognize God for who He is, praise Him for what He does, and remember Him for what He has done.
It often seems that when we need God most, even in His silence, that is the time He is not only helping us, but even carrying us.
The "Footprints In The Sand" story illustrates this. Of course the story is fictional, but I believe it describes a spiritual truth. In fact, I wonder if this fictional character sensed a certain silence on the part of God during his times of trial. I know I have. Here is the story. I added two Bible verses at the end that I think connect.


Footprints in the sand

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: One belonging to him and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it.
"LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why, when I needed you most, you would leave me."

The LORD replied,
"My precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

"The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as He did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place."
Deuteronomy 1:30-31

"Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron."
Psalm 77:19-20

Thoughts on Hearing from God

Our motives for wanting to hear directly from God may offer a clue as to why we have difficulty hearing Him. Do we want a direct word because we are unwilling to stop and read the Scriptures for guidance? Sadly, this is often true. Will we not seek wise counsel from others? Would hearing directly from God make us feel important or spiritual?
According to James 4:3, motives are important when making requests of God.

Here’s a good question: Are we obeying what we have already heard from God? Imagine your son or spouse asking you, "What do you want me to do today?" You reply, "Mow the lawn." They walk away, thrilled that you answered them, but they do not mow the lawn. This scenario repeats day in and day out. Would you bother giving them additional directions to plant a flowerbed when the lawn is knee-deep and still growing?

Bible study is a great place to begin listening for God's voice. During your Bible study time, pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth as you read. Don’t be afraid to mull over a passage of Scripture over and over. Don’t be in a hurry to move on. This may sound weird but I think we sometimes forget that we need to use our eyes to listen to God. Much of what God wants to say to us He has said. It's in the pages of Scripture.

Regular reading of the Bible enables us to better understand how God operates and what He expects of us. This familiarity with Him and His principles will increase our ability to "hear" Him and to discern if something is "of Him". Always compare what you believe may be a word from God with Scripture, for God will not contradict Himself.

Hearing God requires that we go about our days actively listening for His voice. Too often we send up a prayer requesting God to speak to us about a given situation and when He does, we don’t even notice. We were too busy, going too fast, listening to and thinking about too many other things.

We want God's voice to break through our busy, high speed, high tech lives but God's voice is often still and small.

Slow down, breathe a little, clear your mind. Find a place where you can be still and know that He is God.

Small Group Study Habits

The U.S. Military asked Harvard a question: “How can we maximize the learning outcome for our people when they are sent to seminars and classes?”
Harvard took up the challenge and launched a study to try to answer that question. They found that there are three things that, when combined into one learning experience, maximize the learning outcome for participants.
Here they are:

1. Set high expectations.

• The study found that when participants went into the class expecting that they would get something out of it, they learned more. The attitude of the individual plays a major role.

2. Take good notes.

• Not just any note taking. Good note taking. The study found that when the participants focused on the content and intentionally made the effort to take good notes, the note taking enhanced the participant’s ability to understand and remember what was being taught.

3. Discuss what was learned.

• Someone once said, “The proof is in the pudding.” What happens when the participant has high expectations of the event, intentionally takes good notes and then has an opportunity to discuss what was learned? The discussion itself is the “proof” that the learning outcome was maximized. The participant was able to recall from memory and notes what the points of the teaching were, and was also able to re-communicate those points. The discussion also helped to reinforce the participant’s understanding and correct any misunderstandings there might have been.

Communion

The Passover feast was (and is to this day) one of the most sacred and important feasts on the Jewish calendar. On this important day, Jewish families would gather together, slaughter a lamb, roast its meat over a fire, prepare bitter herbs and bread made without yeast, and share this meal in remembrance of the events from Exodus 12.
In that passage we find that before the body of the sacrificial lamb could be eaten, its blood was placed on the sides and the tops of the door-frames to the people’s houses. On the night that God was going to pass through Egypt and pronounce judgment on the land where His people were being held captive to slavery, He would see the blood and it would be a sign to Him. Because of the blood of the lamb, God would pass over His people and they would not die on that day of judgment.
Many centuries later in Luke 22:19 we read that during the Passover feast, Jesus asks His disciples to “do this in remembrance of me.” Since this time, Christians have been breaking the bread and drinking the wine in remembrance of how the blood of the Lamb of God allows us to be “passed over” on the day of final judgment.

Read Luke 22:16. What do you think it means for the Passover to “find fulfillment in the kingdom of God”?

How to hear God

What is the best way to “hear” God?

I want to share a thought with you.
The Holy Spirit often “speaks” to Christians in different ways. In my own experience, Scripture is the most often used method of communication. God’s Word is declared to be “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12) and when it goes out from Him it achieves the purpose for which He sent it (Isaiah 55:10-11).

My thought is this: If you wanted to learn another language, one of the things you would want to do is listen to it. You would want to pay very close attention to the sounds, pronunciation and cadence. As best you could, you would want to try to pick up meaning and listen for the words and phrases that you are familiar with.
Studying God’s Word is like that.
The more familiar I am with the Word of God, the better I will be able to understand and “hear” the Spirit when He “talks” to me, for I know that the Spirit will always communicate in a way that is consistent with the truth of Scripture.

One of my favorite songs is “Word of God Speak” by Mercy Me. Here are the lyrics. Enjoy.


I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say

[CHORUS]
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet to hear Your voice

Inside Out Worship

This is a story that I attached to the small group leader guide on 8/19/07 when we were in the Inside Out series and talking about worship. I’m posting it here on the blog also because it’s a great illustration of God’s love for us. Enjoy

1John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

In the year 2000, I attended a Promise Keepers conference in Denver, Colorado. On Friday evening, at the downbeat of the opening worship time, I stepped out from the backstage production area to see how the men in the arena were engaging in worship.
Seated in the front row was a man in his early fifties. His teenaged son was seated next to him in a wheel chair. It was dreadfully obvious at first glance that this boy was severely handicapped. I learned later that he had suffered a spinal cord injury playing high school football. The boy was paralyzed from the neck down. He was blind and unable to speak.
When the music started, I witnessed the most remarkable living demonstration of the Father’s love that I have ever seen. As 16,000 men stood to sing “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name,” this father turned and faced his son. He slipped his hands beneath the boy’s arms, lifted him out of his wheelchair, and held him in a bear hug. There they stood, face-to-face, not more than six inches apart from one another. The father began singing to his son.
The boy couldn’t see his father’s face, but he could feel his touch and hear his voice. Slowly, a smile came to the boy’s face, like a sunrise breaking through a clouded horizon. The boy was able, with great exertion, to wrap his right arm around his father’s neck. And for the next ten minutes they stood in one another’s arms, a proud, loving father singing to his crippled son.
The father’s face was full of love and pride for his son, not because of anything the boy could do, but simply because of who the boy was -the father’s son- broken, helpless, but beautiful in his father’s eyes. As I watched in tearful amazement, I remembered these cherished words from Scripture:

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
(Zephaniah 3:17)

What I saw that night was the Word in flesh, dwelling among us. I saw a father taking great delight in his son, quieting him with his love and rejoicing over him with singing. Grace embracing brokenness; joy triumphing over tragedy. In this father’s eyes, I saw the love and pride of my heavenly Father. In the son, I saw myself and millions of other broken, helpless people.
Like this man, our heavenly Father loves us. Not because of what we can do for Him, but because of who we are - His sons and daughters, in whom He takes great delight. And He rejoices over us with singing.