Luke Teaching Outline: Week Two

Luke: The Call to Follow Jesus
by Kay Arthur

WEEK TWO

Background Information on Luke:
(From last week’s outline)

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).


Kay Arthur Discussion Questions for Week Two:

• What was to be the ministry of John, whom we refer to as “John the Baptist?” There is some stereotypical thinking about John the Baptist – for example, that he ranted and raved, screaming at people to repent. Does this fit what the text says about him?

• What was John’s message? What was its purpose? How could you tell if his message had an impact – what would those who believed it do?

• Did john fulfill his ministry? What did it cost him?

• According to John, who was Jesus and what would be do? What did God say about Jesus at His baptism? What does this tell you about the One you might choose to follow?

• How old was Jesus when He began his ministry? What do you learn about His example up until that time?

• What have you learned this week that you can apply to your own life?


Additional Points for Consideration:

The Christmas Story (2:1-20):

• Luke 2:1-20 gives us perhaps the best narrative of Christmas story. When asking the five W’s and the H, Luke’s history of Jesus’ birth is brought into a new light.

-When: The time in which Caesar Augustus declared that a census must be taken.
-Where: Bethlehem, Joseph’s hometown. More importantly, a manger. This location is very interesting, especially considering the “who”.
-Who: Census registration was required by everyone living in Syria. Joseph and Mary, Jesus’ parents, were traveling together. Shepherds, not respected by society because of their lowly occupation, were also included in the story. Finally, Jesus is the first-born son of Mary. He is called “Savior” and “Christ the Lord” by the angels.
-What: The birth of Jesus, the Son of God, in a lowly manger. A visit from angels to shepherds is also included.
-Why: The birth happened in a manger because there was no room in the inn. There are a ton of implications as for “why” God would send angels to visit shepherds first, not the rich or the rulers. Jesus came for the lowly and downtrodden.
-How: God’s provision for Joseph and Mary. Everything the angels had told them was carried out by God’s power.

Jesus presented at the Temple (2:21-40):

• This part of the story has important implications for Jesus’ life. Remember, Jesus lived a perfect life, without sin. This meant that he lived according to the covenant stipulations between God and Israel. As he was presented in the temple, he fulfilled the Law written in Leviticus 12:6-8.

• Notice that Joseph and Mary fulfilled Leviticus 12’s law on presenting a firstborn son in the manner of one who is poor. They could not afford a lamb, so they used “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Luke is already developing a theme of humility and lowliness in Jesus’ life, from the manger and shepherds to the sacrifice in the temple.

Jesus in his Father’s house (2:41-52):

• First, can you imagine losing “God’s son” for three days? I cannot imagine losing my own daughter, much less the Son of God!

• Notice that, even at a young age, Jesus already had enough wisdom and understanding to amaze the teachers in the temple.

• Luke is known for his structure of writing by “couching” stories between phrases, even between similar stories. This story is “couched” between verses 40, “And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.” and verse 52, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.”

John the Baptist (3:1-21)

• John’s message was very straightforward. It can be summarized as “repent and do what is right, for the Messiah (Christ or Kingdom) is coming.”

• Compare Luke’s account of John the Baptist and Jesus’ baptism to Matthew’s (3:13-17) and Mark’s (1:9-11). What are some additional bits of information you can gather from these parallel stories?

• There are some important theological implications from Jesus’ baptism. Consider some of the following questions for discussion.

-Did Jesus really need a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (3:3)?
-If Jesus lived a perfect life, why was he baptized?
-What does Jesus’ baptism mean for Christians today?

The Genealogy of Jesus (3:23-38):

• Luke’s traces Jesus’ genealogy all the way back to Adam, the Son of God. Luke places his genealogy right after God speaks to Jesus saying, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.”

• Matthew, on the other hand, begins his gospel account with a genealogy. His genealogy flows in the opposite direction of Luke’s, and it traces Jesus’ ancestry back to Abraham, not Adam.

• We learned last week that Luke is a Gentile writer, in fact the only Gentile writer in the New Testament. Matthew, however, is a Jewish writer. Both genealogies serve a specific purpose for each writer. For Matthew, there is a link from Jesus to Abraham, father of the Jews. For Luke, Jesus’ genealogy goes to support that Jesus is the Son of God, both spiritually (virgin birth) and physically (from Adam).