Bible Study Tip

Any time a passage can be found in more than one Gospel, take the time to read them all. The different Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John often share the same events with different perspectives.
In the same way that eyewitness accounts of the same event, when combined, can give a better overall picture of that event, the Gospel writers also help to provide a more complete picture when you read each account. Reading the passage from each Gospel can serve to illuminate details and meaning and can help in revealing the intended purpose the Gospel writer had in mind as he penned the account.

Found

In our walk with Christ, there are events that seem to leave a mark on our lives. There are turning points, memories, and experiences that stand out in our minds as being special, even supernatural.

One of those turning points for me was my baptism. In November of 2000, I was baptized in Ned Webster’s swimming pool. I remember thinking, “This is it, God. I’m really doing it. I’m counting on you.” I really felt “exposed.” I’m not sure if “exposed” was the best word to describe the feeling, but it was the best word I could come up with; until I heard this song.

A video of all of us who were baptized, was taken that day and later shown in the Sunday services. The audio track that was added to the video was a song by Delirious? called, “Find Me In The River.” That song gave me a better way to describe the feeling. I was “on my knees with my soul laid bare.”

Have you ever felt that way?

Find Me In The River

Find me in the river
Find me on my knees
I've walked against the water
Now I'm waiting if you please

We've longed to see the roses
But never felt the thorns
And bought our pretty crowns
But never paid the price

Find me in the river
Find me there
Find me on my knees with my soul laid bare
Even though you're gone and I'm cracked and dry
Find me in the river, I'm waiting here

Find me in the river
Find me on my knees
I've walked against the water
Now I'm waiting if you please

We didn't count on suffering
We didn't count on pain
But if the blessing's in the valley
Then in the river I will wait

Written by Martin Smith ©1995 Curious? Music UK

Can Faith Heal?

Faith pleases God, right?
Yes and no.
While it’s true that faith pleases God, it’s not true that all faith pleases God.
Faith cannot stand alone, but must be attached to something to be manifested. In other words, faith must have an object. There must be someone or something to have complete trust and confidence in for faith to exist. The object of our faith is Jesus Christ.
Money, possessions and one’s own righteousness are obvious examples of the objects of some people’s faith that would not please God.
In Luke 8:43-48, I think we see an example of the kind of faith that does please God; the kind of faith that recognizes God’s power even when all else fails, faith that sees through circumstances and feels the possibilities, faith that reaches out after hope is gone.
In this case, that kind of faith prompted a response from God.
But we should never confuse an act of God prompted by faith with a faith-caused miracle. Faith can't heal anyone. God may choose to heal someone because of that person’s faith, but the faith didn’t do the healing. God did. Faith doesn’t have power. God does.

In verse 46, Jesus said that He knew power had come out from Him. Was that the woman’s faith He felt? Was it the power of her faith?

Faith isn't a force; it is an attitude of trust which allows you to depend on someone that can do for you what you cannot do for yourself. Faith allows you to go to the source of the power. Faith isn't the power. What Jesus felt was the power of God, flowing through Him and out of Him, healing the woman.
So what does Jesus mean when He says, “your faith has healed you?”
Here’s my opinion: I think He means that the faith of the woman prompted God to act on her behalf. God chose to heal her because of the faith He saw.

Bible Study / Luke 6

Get Started:

1. What did love feel like when you were a teenager? Is it different now?

Go Deeper:

2. Read Luke 6:1-5. In Luke 6:5, Jesus calls Himself Lord of the Sabbath. What do you think He meant by that?

• In the parallel passage in Matthew 12:1-14, He says that someone greater than the temple is here (referring to Himself)
• Jesus speaks about a passage in 1Samuel 21:1-6 when the priest in the temple gives David and his companions the bread that was meant only for priests. If the priest could give David the bread of the Presence, certainly the Christ could give His companions wheat on a Sabbath day.

3. In Luke 6:11, it says they discussed what they might do to Jesus. What, specifically, were they discussing? Was Jesus aware of their discussion? If so, what did He do about it?

• In the parallel passage from Matthew, it says they discussed how to kill Jesus. (Mt. 12:14)
• Matthew 12:15 says, “aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place”

4. In Luke 6:13, Jesus calls His disciples to Him and chooses 12 of them. He then calls them apostles. What is the difference between a disciple and an apostle?

• All apostles are disciples but not all disciples are apostles.
• From Strong’s Concordance, the Greek for disciple is - 3101. mathetes math-ay-tes' from 3129; a learner, i.e. pupil:--disciple.
• From Strong’s Concordance, the Greek for apostle is - 652. apostolos ap-os'-tol-os from 649; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers):--apostle, messenger, he that is sent.

5. In Luke 6:27, who is Jesus speaking to? Read John 10:27 and 14:15. Should the love described in the following verses of Luke 6 be expected of non-believers? Why or why not?

6. In Luke 6:29, do you think Jesus is teaching against self-defense? Why or why not?

7. Read Luke 6:30. Does Jesus really want us to give to “everyone” and “anyone” anything they might ask?

8. In Luke 6:32-34, Jesus contrasts the type of love He is speaking about to the type of love found among “sinners.” Why is the love of a believer supposed to be different than that found in the world?

• The love of a believer is supposed to look like the love of God. Read Luke 6:35-36

9. Verse 35 talks about doing good and lending without expecting anything in return. Does that mean we should never lend money unless we’re planning to “write it off”?


Put it into practice:

1) Verse 36 gives promise of reward to those who obey Jesus’ command. It reminds us that God is kind to people whether or not they return the favor. Who is someone you need to show this type of kindness toward?


Quote Of The Week:
We all have some dying to do. Jesus showed us how it should be done.
--Stephen Neill

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!