Contributions by: Rod Bayley

Joel Deacon

Mark Roberts

Colin Chamberlain

Sarah Lainson

Katherine Roberts

Aidan Carlsson

Matthew Meek

1 Luke 1:1-25 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

John’s birth and role predicted Purpose: To grasp the role given to John the Baptist Introduction 1. Have you ever had to provide an account of some event? If so, explain the situation

and how you went about it. Read Luke 1:1-4 2. What lengths does Luke go to so that he might provide an orderly account of

Christ’s life? 3. Who is Luke recording this account for in the first instance, and what is his

motivation for providing it?

Read Luke 1:5-25 4. Before the angel appears to him in verse 11, what do we learn about Zechariah and

his wife Elizabeth? 5. What was the angel’s message to Zechariah, and what would it mean for the people

of Israel (v11-20)? 6. What does the phrase ‘in the spirit and power of Elijah’ (v17) mean, and how does

this relate to prophecies already given (see Malachi 4:5-6)? 7. What was Zechariah’s response to the angel’s message, and its consequences?

8. What occurred in the aftermath, and how did Elizabeth respond (v23-25)? Think about it 9. In what way has God ‘intervened’ in history through these supernatural events, and

why has He done so? 10. Why does Luke take time to place these unique events in their historical context

(v5)? Why is it important to God’s unfolding plan of salvation? 11. Why can we be sure of God’s promises through His word to us, just as Zechariah

could be sure of God’s promises to him through Gabriel?

2 Luke 1:26-56 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Christ’s birth announced Purpose: To consider the prophecy of Jesus’ birth & Mary’s response Introduction 1. Have you ever been told something that you thought was impossible? If so, was

your response affected by the source of the news, and how did you react? Read Luke 1:26-38 2. What details does Luke give about Mary’s location and her fiancé Joseph’s family

line, and why are these important (v26-27)? 3. What is the angel’s message to Mary (v28-33), and how are these promises the

fulfilment of centuries of prophecy (see 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 9:6-7)?

4. How is the virgin birth (v27, 34) explained by Gabriel (v35-37) and how is this also a fulfilment of Scripture (see Isaiah 7:14)?

Think about it 5. Mary is called to accept a future supernatural event, just as we also are called to

accept God’s supernatural intervention if we are to become believers. How is the Christian faith both reasonable and logical, yet also dependent on the acceptance of unique events?

Read Luke 1:39-56 6. Why do the words of Elizabeth clearly demonstrate the Spirit’s inspiration? 7. Mary’s response to these surprising promises to her is declared in verses 46 to 55.

What is the focus of her initial comments from verses 46 to 49?

8. How does her statement broaden in focus from v50 onwards, and yet continue her initial theme?

Think about it 9. Although Mary is clearly blessed by God, and said to be so by Elizabeth, how does

the passage stop short of elevating her beyond other humans? Why should Mary not be viewed as someone who can intercede for us before God and be given a venerated status, as the Roman Catholic church does?

10. Why is the focus of this passage Jesus, rather than Mary or Elizabeth, and when

did he establish his kingdom (v33)? 11. What is the nature of Christ’s kingdom, and how does he currently reign? What

encouragement does this bring you?

3 Luke 1:57-80 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

John’s birth & Zechariah’s prophecy

Purpose: To understand the connection between John and Jesus’ ministries Introduction 1. In Luke’s Gospel John gets a lot of attention. Why do you think John the Baptist

was so important?

Read Luke 1:57-66

2. How do these verses fulfill the angel’s words in 1:5-23 and why does this fulfillment

matter?

3. 1:57-59 is about the birth of John, and 1:59-66 is about the important naming of

John. Why does John receive a special name? John’s name means ‘Yahweh is gracious’ - how is the Lord gracious in this story?

4. How do people in the passage respond to the birth of John? How should we respond to the birth and life of John?

             5. What are the similarities and differences between Jesus’ and John’s birth?

Read Luke 1:67-80  6. What do you think is the purpose of this hymn? (c.f. 1:66)

7. In 1:67-75 for what does Zechariah praise God?  

 

    8. How does Jesus fulfill Zechariah’s prophecy in regards to bring a Davidic king and

securing salvation for us?            

9. What is the goal of our salvation? How should this truth shape the way we live? (c.f 1:74-75)

                     10. According to this hymn how will John prepare the way for Jesus? What is the

“knowledge of salvation” which he speaks about?                    Think about it 11. Zechariah sings God’s praises because he had learned firsthand the trustworthiness of God’s promises. How have you experienced this truth? Does God’s faithfulness move you to praise him? 12. Read verse 78-79 again. Zechariah compares salvation to the sun shining upon those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death. What does this metaphor teach us about our sin and its consequences?

4 Luke 2:1-20 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The coming of the Saviour

Purpose: To reflect on the significance of the birth of Christ our Saviour Introduction 1. What do you remember of the fanfare and ceremony surrounding the birth of the

“royal baby”, Prince George, in 2013? Do you feel that this degree of pomp was justified?

Read Luke 2:1-7

2. In v1-2, why might Luke mention the details about the census? How does this

contribute to his stated aim for his gospel (see 1:1-4)? 3. What was significant about Joseph’s lineage (v4)?

4. Consider the prophecy of Micah some 700 years earlier, in Micah 5:2. What do the events of Luke 2:1-7 reveal about the relationship between seemingly random world events and God’s purposes?

Read Luke 2:8-20 5. Who would you expect to be the first people notified of the Christ’s birth? What

does the fact that the shepherds were the first to hear reveal about God’s plan of salvation?

6. What are the three titles of Jesus given by the angels in v10-12? What does each

mean? What does this tell us about Jesus' true identity? 7. The Roman world at the time was experiencing the Pax Romana (“Peace of Rome”)

marked by relative peacefulness between nations in the Roman Empire, and various associated privileges for Roman citizens. How does the peace which the angels speak of in v14 differ from this peace?

8. In verse 16 it is mentioned for the third time that this baby is “lying in a manger”. Why might Luke want to emphasise these humble beginnings of Jesus?

9. What do you make of Mary’s response to these amazing events in v19?

Think about it  10. There are many responses to the good news throughout this passage: great joy;

praise; curiosity; amazement; telling others; thoughtful reflection. Which of these responses to the gospel are present in your life? In what manner do they show themselves? If some are missing, why? What can you do to recover these responses?

 

5 Luke 2:21-52 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

No ordinary boy   Purpose: To understand Christ’s childhood in light of Simeon and Anna’s praise Introduction 1. What do you hope your children (or grandkids or nephews/nieces etc.) will do? Read Luke 2:21-24 2. What is special about this baby and his name? (See Luke 1:31-33, Matt 1:21) 3. What do you notice about Jesus’ upbringing or parents? (See Lev 12:1-8, Exodus 13:1-2)

Read Luke 2:25-38 4. What are Simeon (25-27) and Anna (36-37) like? 5. What is Simeon waiting to see, and what does he actually see and say? (See Isaiah 42:1-7) 6. What does Anna do and say? Read Luke 2:39-52 7. What are Jesus parents like, and what is Jesus like?

8. When Jesus’ parents find Jesus at the temple what does their exchange (v48-50) reveal about their relationship? 9. What is Jesus reminding his parents about (Luke 1:31-33, 2:23)? Think about it: 10. What has Jesus come to do? Why is he no ordinary child? 11. Why is it important that Jesus perfectly fulfilled the requirements of the Old Testament law?  

6 Luke3:1-20 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

John prepares the way   Purpose: To reflect on John the Baptist’s ministry Introduction 1. Have you ever had to deliver an unpopular message to someone? What was it like?

How did they react? Read Luke 3:1-6 2. Why do you think Luke included these verses? Where have we seen similar inclusions so far in Luke’s gospel? 3. What is the essence of John’s message? 4. Luke quotes from Isaiah. Read Isaiah 40:1-9, 52:7-10. How does John’s coming fulfill Isaiah?

Read Luke 3:7-14 5. What does John the Baptist identify as the core problem of God’s people? 6. What should God’s people do about this problem? Read Luke 3:15-20 7. What are the people thinking? 8. How does John answer them? (See Malachi 3:1-5, 4:5-6)

9. What does Herod (Antipas) the tetrarch do to John and why? Are you ever tempted towards similar (though hopefully less severe) actions when confronted with your own sin? Think about it: 10. How the coming of John the Baptist and the Christ: a) Different? b) Similar? (see Luke 13:31-32, 23:8-12) 11. How is John’s message ‘good news’ (v18)? (see Isaiah 40:9, 52:7)

7 Luke 3:21-4:13 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The baptism, lineage and testing of Jesus  Purpose: To grasp the events that preceded the commencement of Christ’s ministry.  Introduction  1. Share with the group something that you have had to put a lot of preparation into.

(eg: an exam, a presentation, hosting a social event, a marriage etc) Was your preparation appropriate/helpful/effective?

Read Luke 3:21–22 2. This event marks the official beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. Why did he choose

to be baptized as a way of marking this event?                  3. What is significant about the “commissioning” (v22) he is given?

Read Luke 3:23–38 4. This genealogy documents the family line from Adam to Jesus. Why is this

genealogy included at this point in the narrative?

5. What significance would this genealogy have had to Luke’s original readers? What does this mean for us today?

6. How do the Baptism of Jesus and genealogy give us confidence in the person and

ministry of Jesus? Read Luke 4:1–13 7. When Jesus was in the wilderness, Satan tempted his humanity and divinity, his

physical and spiritual being. How did these temptations from Satan target Jesus’ humanity and/or divinity?

8. Why was enduring this temptation important preparation for Jesus as he began his

public ministry? 9. Can you think of specific moments or events that these temptations might have

prepared Jesus for?    Think about it  10. How can Jesus’ example of how he resisted temptation help us when we are

tempted? 11. Events in Jesus’ ministry correlate to events in Israel’s history. What might Jesus’

baptism and temptation in the wilderness correlate to? Why is this significant for the ministry of Jesus?

8 Luke 4:14-44 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jesus commences his ministry

Purpose: To understand why Jesus must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God.  Introduction  1. Have you ever waited a long time for something? For a job, graduation, marriage?

How did you feel when the moment finally happens?          Read Luke 4:14-30 2. What dramatic event happened in the Nazareth synagogue?                  3. How is Jesus’ ministry described? (v7-19, 43, 44)                  4.Why did the Nazareth synagogue reject Jesus? (v22-23, 28-30)          

Read Luke 4:31-37 5. Why was the Capernaum congregation in wonder of Jesus?                    6. When was the last time you were “lost in wonder love and praise“ of Jesus?                    7. Meditate on reasons why you can be lost in wonder of Jesus. Share your thoughts

with your group. Read Luke 4:38-44  8. Describe how Jesus shared the good news of the kingdom of God with people in the

community.                

9. How do you feel about sharing the good news about the kingdom of God in daily life?

             10. Discuss together the meaning of Jesus’ calling to “preach the good news of the

kingdom of God” from vs.43-44.                  Think about it 11. Jesus was clear that his primary purpose in coming to earth was to preach the

good news of the kingdom of God. What then was the reason for the signs and wonders he performed? (see Luke 7:20-23, Matt 12:28)

                   12. What priorities are you tempted to place higher than the cause of God’s kingdom?

What ought to be our primary purpose in the world? (see Matt 6:33)

9 Luke 5:1-26 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jesus calls, heals and forgives Purpose: To understand that Christ has authority to both heal and forgive Introduction  1. What is the most amazing interaction you have personally observed with Jesus? Read Luke 5:1-11  2. Although we are not told directly in the passage, what possible reasons might Simon

have had for immediately obeying Jesus in v3?                3. What point could Jesus be making through the successful fishing trip followed by

calling the “fishers of men”?                4. What evidence is there, if any, that these “fishers of men” were successful?            

5. Does this call and implied success apply to all followers of Jesus, or just Simon Peter? What reasons do you have to believe that?

                 Read Luke 5:12-16 6. In what way does this leper pose a problem for Jesus? (See Leviticus 13:45-46) 7. How might the interaction between this leper and Jesus in v12-13 be a model for everyone who relates to Jesus, not just lepers or the physically sick? 8. In response to v14 Matthew Henry says "This, it should seem, did not forbid him telling it to the honour of Christ, but he must not tell it to his own honour." Do you agree? If so, why? If not, what other alternative significance can be attached to this verse?

Read Luke 5:17-26 9. What response does Jesus offer to the paralytic’s predicament in v20? What is the point that Jesus is making? (v22-24) 10. Discuss what the most amazing part of this account is and why: the claim that Jesus can forgive sins; the lack of belief of the Pharisees; or the healing of the paralytic? Think about it 11. The friends who carry the paralytic to Jesus give us an example worthy of emulation. What ought we do in order to “bring” our friends to Jesus?

10 Luke 5:27-39 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jesus came for sinners

Purpose: To reflect on Christ’s priority of seeking and saving the lost. 1. Think of a piece of technology that you were (or are) reluctant to take up. Why?

Read Luke 5:27-31

2. What do you know about Jewish tax collectors and how they would have been

viewed at this time?

3. How did Jesus convince Levi to come and follow him? After doing so, do you think

it would have been easy for Levi to return to his old life?

4. Levi makes an instant and radical change to his life when Jesus calls him, what is

the first thing he does next? Why do you think he does this?

5. What were the Pharisees complaining about and how does Jesus answer their

question? What does this show us about Jesus’ mission? Read Luke 5:33-39

6. What does the Pharisees’ question in v33 tell us about their religious priorities? (NB.

The Pharisees were required to fast twice a week, whilst the Law only required fasting once a year, on the Day of Atonement)

7. What does Jesus say about this time for his disciples and what does he hint at about

a time to come? 8. Jesus’ parable relates two short anecdotes about things which are old and new.

What is Jesus saying is impossible?

9. How is Jesus using these examples to show the right way to respond to him?  

10. v39 seems to be a contradictory statement, how is Jesus using this comment to

rebuke the Pharisees?              

Think about it

11. Levi makes a radical change to his life when Jesus calls. How has Jesus radically

changed your life, and how might he still be calling you to change, and wholeheartedly adopt his new way?

12. Jesus’ remarks to the Pharisees that “it is the sick who need a doctor” may also be

a rebuke to us. Who might be considered the “sick” in our community and what is one concrete thing you can do to make sure you are interacting with them? What stops you from doing that now?