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CHAPTER 1
Lesson OneLUKE 1:1-4
Overview
The best way to introduce yourself to Luke's gospel is to read it through, in one sitting if possible. It should take you about two hours if you read quickly for an overall impression. If your Bible includes subtitles for passages, use them as clues to the story's movement.
As you read, jot down answers to questions 1–6. Questions 7 and following relate to particular sections of Luke's gospel.
First impressions
1. What are your first impressions of Luke's book? What is it about? What overall impression does it give you of Jesus? If you had to pick a single term to describe Luke's gospel, what would it be?
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For Further Study: Look for examples of the following in Jesus' teaching and actions:
Ordinary people
Medical interest
Personal details (like age)
Signs of emotion
2. Repetition is a clue to the ideas an author wants to stress. What key words or phrases does Luke (or Jesus) use over and over?
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3. Look for at least one example of each of the Following of Luke's (and Jesus') interests.
a. Poverty in Jesus' personal life_____________________________
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in Jesus' teaching _________________________________
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in people Jesus encountered ________________________
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b. Women
people Jesus encountered ___________________________
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in Jesus' teaching _________________________________
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c. Prayer
in Jesus' personal life ____________________________
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in His teaching_____________________________________
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in others' lives____________________________________
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d. The Holy Spirit
in Jesus' personal life ____________________________
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in His teaching ____________________________________
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in others' lives____________________________________
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e. Salvation for the whole world
in Jesus' teaching _________________________________
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in words about Jesus _______________________________
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in Jesus' actions __________________________________
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4. The practice of outlining often helps tremendously in obtaining a good grasp on the flow and general contents of a book. Fill in the following "skeleton" with your own reference numbers (chapter and verse numbers) for each section, as well as appropriate titles. (There may be more blank lines provided than what you decide you need.) See the detailed outline on pages 13–15.
Passage Title
1:1-4 Prologue
1:5–4:13 Prelude to ministry
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Passage Title
4:14–9:50 Ministry in Galilee
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Passage Title
9:51–19:44 Travel toward Jerusalem
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Passage Title
19:45–21:38 Ministry in Jerusalem
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Passage Title
22:1–24:53 Passion and Resurrection
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5. Note here any incidents, teachings, topics, or impressions of Jesus in Luke's gospel that you want to think about this week.
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6. In your first reading of Luke's gospel or in the background, you may have encountered some concepts you'd like clarified or questions you'd like answered. While your thoughts are still fresh, jot down your questions here. You can look for answers as you study further.
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Prologue
In classical Greek style, Luke begins his work with a formal dedication to his patron (the man who is probably helping to pay for publishing the book). The dedication offers several clues to Luke's intent in writing this book.
Study Skill — Themes and Purposes
Before you study a book in detail, it is helpful to make some tentative conclusions about the book's themes and purposes. A theme is a main topic that recurs throughout the book, such as "salvation." A purpose is a reason the author wrote, such as "to teach Gentile readers about salvation."
One reading of Luke's gospel may not give you a firm sense of his main themes and purposes, but by now you probably are at least beginning to have some ideas about what they may be. Don't be hesitant to express those ideas; remember, they're tentative!
7. Read 1:1-4 slowly several times, preferably in several translations. What subject does Luke say he is writing about? (Think about what "the things that have been fulfilled [NASB: "accomplished"] among us" are.)
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8. What does Luke identify as his purpose for writing his gospel (see 1:3-4)?
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For Thought and Discussion: What is your own purpose for studying Luke's gospel? How does it compare with 1:4?
9. From what you know of Luke's gospel so far, try to summarize in your own words what you think is the purpose of this book.
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10. What issues in your own life already have been raised by your quick reading of Luke? How are you planning to deal with these issues in the coming week?
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Study Skill — Outlining the Purpose
An ordinary outline of Luke's gospel can help you find particular passages, but it tells you little of how the parts fit into Luke's overall message. One way to recall Luke's message at a glance is to outline the way each passage unfolds that message.
For instance, Luke's purpose is to set forth the good news about Jesus in an orderly manner so that the reader can respond to that news. A broad outline of the book that takes account of this purpose might begin like this:
1:1-4 Prologue: Luke states the purpose of his book.
1:5–2:52 Infancy: The Savior and His herald are born miraculously into our world, announced by angels and prophets. The Son of God becomes a son of Adam.
3:1–4:13 The Savior's herald introduces the good news about repentance and forgiveness. The Savior is declared Son of God and undergoes baptism and temptation as Son of Man — all in preparation to begin His mission.
Get a sheet of paper and begin your own outline of Luke's gospel that reflects his purpose and themes. You can make up your own summaries for 1:1–4:13 or copy these and begin your own outline with 4:14-44. Try to add a new entry as you complete each lesson.
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Excerpted from "Luke"
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