Luke: The Call to Follow Jesus
By Kay Arthur
WEEK ONE
Background Information on Luke
Author:
- Written by Luke, a physician and companion of Paul on several missionary journeys (cf. Acts 16:10–17; 20:5–21:18; 27:1–28:16).
- Luke is thought to have been a Gentile, the only Gentile to write a New Testament book.
- Luke was written primarily to a Gentile audience.
Themes:
- Jesus presented as the compassionate Son of Man who came to seek and save the lost (19:10)
- Lord’s genealogy goes back to Adam (3:38), and the whole world is seen as the sphere of God’s redemption (2:14, 32; 3:6).
- Luke presented a more universal message of the Gospel by referring to Gentiles many times as sharing in the blessings of the Messiah as well as writing more about sinners, the poor, and the “outcasts” of Jewish society such as the Samaritans. Luke also wrote frequently of women and children and their faith in the Messiah.
- Luke presented a more methodical, detailed account of history, as stated in the prologue, to provide further confirmation of the faith of Theophilus (1:1-4).
- Luke emphasized both forgiveness (3:3; 5:18-26; 6:37; 7:36-50; 11:4; 12:10; 17:3-4; 23:34; 24:47) and prayer (3:21; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18, 29; 22:32, 40-41).
How to extract theology from a narrative:
Luke 1:5-2:52 is an example of a narrative text but it is full of theology. This section of the Luke reveals major themes that will develop throughout Luke’s portrayal of Jesus. This section:
1. Reviews and previews events
2. Uses Scriptural quotations and allusions to reveal God’s purpose
3. Reveals that purpose through dialogue from God’s commissioned agents
4. Gives testimony through reliable characters within the account
(Tannehill 1986:21)
Kay Arthur Discussion Questions for Week One:
~ Who wrote the Gospel of Luke and Why? What do you learn about the writer? How does this information help you accept this Gospel? How would a familiarity with Luke help you with the other Gospels?
~ What do you learn from Luke 1 about God and His ways? How does such information affect you?
~ What did you learn about Jesus from this chapter? If you were to deny yourself, and take up your cross, and follow Him, whom would you be following? Is He just another man? Why or why not?
~ Share one thing you learned from the lives of different people mentioned in Luke 1 that spoke to your heart personally. What kind of impact did that insight have on your thinking or the way you are going to live?
~What does the chapter teach about the virgin birth? Is it important to believe it? Why? You may want to look up the following verses: Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Romans 5:12; 1 Peter 1:18, 19
Additional Points for Consideration:
The Prologue and Purpose of the Gospel: (1:1-4)
- Luke stated his purpose in writing his gospel was to write an orderly account in the events of Christ’s life so that Theophilus could know the certainty of the things he had been taught (1:3).
o How important is it for Christians today to be able to give “an answer” for what they believe? (1 Peter 3;15) How would your group members rate themselves on being able to do so in regards to:
· The inerrancy of Scripture
· Jesus as the Messiah for the world
· The incarnation and virgin birth
(Many of these issues are debated in seminaries around the Globe)
The Angels Announcement to Zechariah: (1:8-23)
- Zechariah’s priestly division was on duty, one of 24 groups of priests drawn up in David’s time (1 Chron 24:7-18). The priests in each division were on duty twice a year for a week at a time. Zechariah was chosen by lot to be the priest who offered the incense and, because of the large number of priests, this would have been the only time in Zechariah’s life when he was allowed to perform this task. While Zechariah was inside at the altar of incense, a crowd gathered to pray. The incense for which Zechariah was responsible symbolized the prayers of the entire nation. At that particular moment Zechariah was thus the focal point of the entire Jewish nation.
- What significance can we draw on the fact that the angel of the Lord appeared to him at that exact moment in his life?
- Discuss how the precision of God’s timing further reflects his sovereignty.
Gabriel Visits Mary: (1:26-38)
The angel predicted five things about Mary’s Son:
1. He will be great.
2. He will be called the Son of the Most High. (Mary could not have missed the significant of the words used here. This title pointed to his equality with Yahweh.)
3. He will be given the throne of David. (Jesus will one day sit on David’s throne 2 Sam 7:16; Ps 89:3-4, 28-29)
4. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. (Reign over Israel portrayed here)
5. His kingdom will never end. (2 Sam 7:13-19) Our concept of kingship is pretty weak based on our example from the British. What kind of power do you think kings had in ancient times? What would it mean to have a king with a kingdom that will never end?
Theological Considerations:
- Luke called Mary a virgin (1:27)
- Mary was surprised she would be a mother since she was a virgin (1:34)
- The angel told her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her to bring about the physical conception of Jesus (1:35). This miraculous conception as the virgin birth of Jesus was necessary because of His deity and preexistence (Isa 7:14; 9:6)
Intervarsity.org – In this passage, after a bit of questioning on how this promise would come to pass, Mary responded with faith to the Word of God. What does it mean for you to live by faith in the Word? What would this look like? What practical small step of faith can your group members take this week, based on God’s Word?
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