Bible Study / Luke 5

Luke 5

Get Started:

1. What’s your favorite fish to eat? To catch? Do you like lake, stream or ocean fishing?

Go Deeper:

2. In verse 5, Peter explains to Jesus why His suggestion wont work but then agrees to do it anyway. Have you ever been prompted by God’s Word to do something that didn’t make sense at the time? Share the event with your group.

3. Read about Peter’s reaction to the success of their fishing trip in verse 8. Why does Peter want Jesus to “go away”? What emotions do you think are being experienced by Peter? Is Peter afraid? If so, of what?

• Exodus 33:18-20 Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." 19 And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."

4. Compare Peter’s reaction in verse 8 to Isaiah 6:5. How is Isaiah’s reaction similar or dissimilar to Peter’s? Continue reading the verses that follow. What do you see happening in these verses that alleviates the tension we are reading about? What are the resulting responses?

5. In verse 10, Jesus tells Peter that he will now “catch men.” What does Jesus mean by this? What can be learned about "catching men" from what Peter just experienced?

6. As you read verses 8 and 10, why do you think Jesus chooses to use a “sinful man” in the endeavor of “catching men?”

7. “I’m a pretty good person” is a statement you will hear often when discussing with someone his/her need for a savior and how God has provided for that need. Do you think it’s important for a person to arrive at the conclusion that Peter did in verse 8? Why or why not?

Put it into practice:

1) Have you gone “fishing” lately? Pray to be used by God to “catch men.” Pray also for God to be preparing the people you come into contact with to hear the good news.

Quote Of The Week
Unless we change our direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed.
--Chinese Proverb

Luke 3 Bible Study

Luke 3

Get Started:

1. What do the following songs all have in common? Error Of Our Ways, Just My Imagination, Can I Get A Witness, My Girl.

• All these songs are done by the Temptations.

Go Deeper:

2. Read Luke 3:21-22. Why was Jesus baptized? Is baptism commanded for Christians, or is it more of a suggestion or good idea? What Bible passages help answer these questions?

• Matthew 3:13-15
• Acts 2:38-39
• Matthew 28:19-20

3. What Bible passages describe the symbolism of baptism?

• Colossians 2:11-12
• Romans 6:3-4

4. After Jesus was baptized, He was led into the desert, “full of the Holy Spirit.” Who led Him into the desert? What does James 1:13 teach about temptation? Based on these two passages, what do you think it means in the Lord’s Prayer when it says, “lead us not into temptation?”

• Notice that the Spirit led Jesus in the desert but it is the devil that did the tempting.
• God does not tempt us but I think He does test us. These tests are not meant to tell God something about us that He doesn’t know, but to tell us something about God that we may not know.
• Based on these two passages, what do you think it means in the Lord’s Prayer when it says, “lead us not into temptation?” If I put it another way, I might say; “God, please don’t lead me into a time of testing, for I fear I may fail.”

5. Read Luke 4:6. Is what the devil says in that verse true? What Bible passages provide insight into this question?

• 1John 5:19
• John 12:31
• Ephesians 2:1-2

6. In Luke 4:12 it says not to put the Lord your God to the test. What is the difference between trusting and testing God?

7. When do you think the “opportune time” of verse 13 was?

• Matthew 16:23
• John 14:30
• Luke 22:3

8. Over and over, Jesus quotes the Bible in response to the temptations of the devil. In Luke 4:10, the devil quotes the Bible to Jesus. What Bible verse is being quoted by the devil? Is his quote accurate? Is his use of this verse acceptable? Why or why not?

• Scroll down to the next post for thoughts on this question.

9. If you know that you are particularly “at risk” for certain temptations, what kind of plan or strategy do you have in place to overcome them? Share some “overcoming” insights with your group.


Making The Connection:

1) If there’s ever a good time to be tempted by the devil, it’s when you are “full of the Holy Spirit.” Pray in community for a fresh filling of the Spirit.

Quote Of The Week
I have more trouble with D. L. Moody than any other man I know.
--D. L. Moody

Luke 4

Many theological, and even practical misunderstandings about the Bible and living the Christian life are the result of the misuse of Scripture. Often, this misuse is completely unintentional. One of the most common misuses of Scripture is using a passage or verse out of context.

A very good way to make sure you are not using Scripture out of context is this simple rule: Never Read A Bible Verse. In other words, never just read one verse without reading the verses that precede and follow it. The surrounding verses and paragraphs will help you understand the context. Knowing the contextual setting for a verse will help you understand the meaning more clearly and allow you to make a more Biblical interpretation. With the right interpretation, you are now ready to apply this truth to your life.

In Luke 4:10, the devil is quoting Psalm 91:11-12. If he would have read just one more verse, he would have been talking about his own destruction! As you can see, the intentional misuse of God's Word is one of the devil's favorite tools. He's been using it for quite some time. (See Genesis 3)

Bible Study - Book of Luke

Luke Study
Luke 3

Get Started:

1. Who was Luke? Was he one of the disciples? An apostle?


Go Deeper:

2. Read Luke 1:1-5 and 2:1-2 and 3:1-2. What is the significance of Luke's listing of these political and religious figures?

• Luke is often called a historian. Here, he seems to be fixing for the reader a precise date and chronology for the beginning of John’s ministry.
• I think this should tell us something about the care and accuracy that, for Luke, seem to be a priority in writing this Gospel.

3. Verse 4 quotes a prophecy from the Old Testament. In what way did John the Baptist “Prepare the way” for the Messiah? Does repentance prepare the way for salvation?

4. Verse 3 says that John preached a “baptism of repentance.” In what ways is that similar/different from Christian baptism in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit?

5. Scripture teaches that anyone who believes in Christ needs to be baptized. If someone was baptized by John the Baptist, and then subsequently believed in Jesus, would he/she need to be baptized again? Why or why not? How does Acts 19 1-7, inform your answer?

6. Read Luke 3:7. What is John referring to with the term “the coming wrath?” Also read Luke 3:17. Are these two statements referring to the same thing?

7. In Luke 3:8, John talks about something to do and something not to do. In this verse, how do these two statements relate to one another? How does a person “produce fruit in keeping with repentance?” What point is John trying to make?

• Romans 2:28 A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.
• How does a person “produce fruit in keeping with repentance?” In verses 10-14, the people were asking the same question. John gave them some examples.

8. After reading Luke 3:7-17, what is your opinion of John’s evangelism technique? How is his technique different than yours? What would you have included/not included?

9. How does what is written in verses 3-6 connect with the central thrust of John’s message? Do you think John gave a complete Gospel presentation? Why or why not?


Thinking About The Implication:

1) In verses 10-14 the people were asking John, “What should we do?” In what way do you think John would answer that question for you if you could ask today? Pray about that.


Quote Of The Day
A salty pagan, full of the juices of life, is a hundred times dearer to God, and also far more attractive to men, than a scribe who knows his Bible….in whom none of this results in repentance, action, and above all, death of the self. A terrible curse hangs over the know-it-all who does nothing.
--Helmut Thielicke

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.