How to use this Study Guide The Bible is the most amazing book ever written. It is God s Words to you. The stories in the Bible are true events but also teach you who God is, what God s plan is, and how you can know Him better. The answer is Jesus. Jesus is God s Son who became man to tell you about God, save us from our sins, and bring us into His family to live forever. The Gospel of Luke emphasizes Jesus helping the poor, social outcast, and sinners. He shows mercy to others constantly and teaches us to show mercy to people in our world today. This study guide is meant to help you discover these things on your own by 1. Read each passage two times. The first time just read the passage so you are familiar with the story. Then read it again and begin answering the questions and thinking more about it. 2. Read the Devotional at the bottom of each page. This devotional is meant to help you understand the passage and apply it to your life. 3. Read 5 times each week. The other two days of week can be used if you forget to read or are busy one day. Be committed to this do this study. If you forget one day just pick up where you left off. Don t skip ahead. The point is to know Jesus more and follow him in your life. 4. Memorize the passage each week for the Miracle of Mercy series. You will get the most out of this study by staying consistent, reading the passages, writing your answers, and memorizing the passages. It may sound like a lot but as you do it, you will find it won t take long and it will change your life. Memory Verse: Blessed are the Merciful for they will be Shown Mercy - Matthew 5:7
Week 1: Day 1 Doubting God s Plan First Read: Luke 1:5-24 Read the passage again and write down what God s plan was for Zacharias son and why he doubted it. In what ways do you think God s plan for you is similar or different than His plan for Zacharias son, John? Write down one way you can help make people ready for Jesus this week? Name the people and what you can do. God has a plan for your life. Let that sink in. He made you unique and just the way you are to fulfill His plan for your life. But we can doubt His plan. Zacharias doubted God s plan because he thought he was too old. You may not think God can use you but He can because He is great and able to use even weak people for great things. The key is to trust God s plan and follow it. Don t doubt and let God s plan pass by you. Use the questions above to think how you can follow God s plan.
Week 1: Day 2 Trusting God s Plan First Read: Luke 1:25-38 Read the passage again and write down the descriptions of Mary s Son, Jesus. Read Luke 1:36-37. Why did Mary trust in God s plan for her? Why can you trust in God s plan for your life? Write out a prayer asking God to help you trust Him even if you don t understand it. I am your servant. (Luke 1:38) Marry called herself God s servant accepting God s plan for her. She trusted God s plan even though she did not understand it all. A servant is a person who does whatever his master tells him even if he does not understand why. Are you God s servant accepting His plan for your life? You may want to know exactly what His plan is first but He does not give us the details. He does give us a promise, For nothing will be impossible with God. (v.36) You can trust in God s plan because He is able to do anything! He sent Jesus to save you from your sins because He can do anything. Trust in His plan by telling Him you are His servant.
Week 1: Day 3 Good News First Read: Luke 2:1-20 Read the passage again and write down why this birth was Good News for all people? How was the Shepherd s reaction and your reaction to this good news similar and different? Think of one or two people you can tell about Jesus being our savior and why we need to believe in Him. Pray that God will give you an opportunity and the courage to talk to them this week. Who will You tell What will you tell them When you will tell them? Good News! We all love good news. God has good news for you that is far better than anything else you could hear. He sent His Son, Jesus, to be your Savior! Jesus came for one purpose, to save us from our sins by dying in our place on the cross. Because we disobey God we all deserve punishment and this punishment is called the second death, Hell. Sounds terrible. So God sent Jesus to pay for your sins so you don t have to suffer your punishment! You can have eternal life with God and Jesus by believing that Jesus died for your sins! Have you believed in this good news yet? If not talk to your parents or pastor at your church about it. If you have then who can you share this good news with?
Week 1: Day 4 Repentance First Read: Luke 3:1-14 Read the passage again and write down how John tells the different people to repent? What are some different ways to react to John s warning in verses 7-9? How do you think you would have reacted? What sins and bad behaviors do you need to stop doing and what good things can you replace them with? Repentance. What does repentance mean? This passage gives us a good picture to show us what it means. First, there was a warning of coming judgment if they do not repent. Don t wait until tomorrow but repent today. Second, repentance is stopping the sins and bad habits you do. It may be disobeying your parents, lying, or stealing from others. What things are you doing that you know you need to stop? Admit what you do wrong to God and the people you did them to. Third, repentance means replacing the sins and bad habits with good actions. When you replace your sins with good actions you are changing your life forever. Repenting prepares people for Jesus. When you repent you will become more excited to know Jesus more!
Week 1: Day 5 Fighting Temptations First Read: Luke 4:1-13 Read the passage again and write down what the temptation was and how Jesus responded: Satan s Temptation Jesus Response Read Hebrews 4:15-16. How can Jesus help you when you are tempted? Jesus quoted a passage from the Bible to respond to Satan s temptation. Write down two temptations you struggle with and find two verse you can memorize to respond with when you are tempted. Temptation Verse to Respond with It is written. Jesus responded the same way to each of Satan s temptations, It is written Jesus quoted the Bible to fight against Satan s temptations to sin. We need to fight against temptations the same way, by using God s truth in the Bible to defeat the lies of Satan. The best way to do this is to memorize verses in the Bible that stick out to you. As you read through Luke write out verses that stick out to you that can help you fight a temptation you are facing. Then work on memorizing them every day. God s truth is the best way to overcome any temptation!
Review & Journal What was the best part of your week? How was God part of that? What has the hardest part of your week? How did God help you? Write out a prayer to God: Memory Verse: Blessed are the Merciful for they will be Shown Mercy - Matthew 5:7
Week 2: Day 1 Healed and Forgiven First Read: Luke 5:17-26 Read the passage again and write down why the paralyzed man was brought to Jesus but what Jesus gave him first. Why did Jesus eventually heal the man but not do so at first? Write down what this passage tells you about Jesus. Write out your response to what Jesus has done for you. Has he forgiven your sins? Has He healed you or someone you know? More than You Expect Jesus does not give the paralyzed man what he expected to get. He wanted simply to be healed so he can walk but Jesus gave him far more, Jesus forgave his sins! The Pharisees said that only God could forgive sins and Jesus could not do this. But Jesus proves that He is God by not only forgiving his sins but also healing the man! Jesus is not just a man. He is God who became a man to forgive our sins! Jesus gives you far more than you expect. You may want friends or better relationship with your parents. Jesus can give you far more. He wants to forgive your sins and heal your family! Have you believed in Jesus to forgive your sins? If not do so now. He is God and is able to do far more than you expect!
Week 2: Day 2 Be Merciful First Read: Luke 6:20-36 Read the passage again and write down the four blessing and the four woes Jesus gives. 4 Blessings 4 Woes (Judgments) How are followers of Jesus supposed to be different than the rest of people in the world? Why does Jesus want you to live this way? Do you have an enemy or someone who you try to stay away from? If so, think of one way you can follow Jesus words to be like Him? Just as Verse 36 has two very important words, just as. These words make all the difference. Jesus is saying that if you want to follow Him you need to be just like God. What is God like? Jesus answers that in verses 20-26. God is not like people around us. He does good to those who reject and deny him. He gives to people who try to take from Him and ignore Him. Jesus shows us this by giving us life to His enemies (you and me) so that we can have eternal life with Him (Romans 5:6-10). How can you help difficult people in your life? God gave you His Son so you could help to your worse enemy.
Week 2: Day 3 Worthy? First Read: Luke 7:2-10 Read the passage again. Compare and Contrast why the Jewish elders thought he was worthy and how the Centurion did not think he was worthy. Jewish Elder He is Worthy Centurion I am not worthy Why was Jesus amazed (marveled)? How can you have a faith that Jesus marvels at? Am I worth it? Have you ever wondered if you were worth someone else trouble. The Jewish leaders are sent by a Centurion, a high ranking officer in the Roman army, to ask Jesus for help. The Centurion was good to the Jewish people even though he did not have to be. So the Jews thought this man was more than worth it for Jesus to help; however, the Centurion had a different view of himself. He saw Jesus as God and he knew he was not worthy of God s help. So he tells Jesus to just say the word to heal his servant but don t come into his house. This is humility. It is seeing God as great and yourself as unworthy but still trusting God. Notice, Jesus is amazed at his faith and DOES heal his servant. Jesus helps when you humbly ask him for His help. Not demanding it like He owes you one. God does not owe you anything, but He loves to help. You may not feel worthy but Jesus loves to help you and will if you ask him.
Week 2: Day 4 Great things Frist Read: Luke 8:26-39 Read the passage again and write how the demon possessed man was changed (compare verses 27-29 to 35). What does this teach you about Jesus power compared to demon s power? Take 5 minutes to write down some great things God has done for you. Who can you tell about these things? Great Things God has done! Jesus does not let the demon possessed man follow him but gives him another job, to stay in that town and tell people what great things God has done for him. He was just changed completely from being a slave to being free. From being afraid to being courageous. From being insane to being enlightened. He stays and tells everyone what great things Jesus did for him. He believed Jesus was God! What great things has Jesus done for you? Take 5 minutes and make a list and then think of people you can share this with this week.
Week 2: Day 5 The Unbelieving Generation First Read: Luke 9:37-43 Read the passage again and write down why did the evil spirit (demon) not listen to the disciples but did listen to the disciples? Why did Jesus respond by calling his disciples an unbelieving and perverted (twisted) generation? (Mark gives more on this in Mark 9:16-24) When you try to help and serve other people are you trusting in yourself or in God s power? How do you know? Unbelieving Generation If Jesus would look at your generation what would He call it? People call different generations different things that define them. Jesus does not define us like the rest of the world but by our faith in God. He called His generation unbelieving and twisted because they trusted in themselves to help others more than in God. You are not able to do anything great or small for God on your own. Don t let this keep you from helping but go to God and trust Him to use you so He can do great things through you. It all starts with trusting in Him more than in yourself. Don t be part of an unbelieving generation. Be known as a person who trusts in God.
Review & Journal What was the best part of your week? How was God part of that? What has the hardest part of your week? How did God help you? Write out a prayer to God: Memory Verse: And they raised their voices, saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us! -Luke 17:13
Week 3: Day 1 Showing Mercy First Read: Luke 10:29-37 Read the passage again and describe how the Samaritan loved his neighbor? What made helping the man difficult for the Samaritan? What keeps you from helping people you see in need? Think of ways you can help other people on a normal day for you. What do you have that can help others? What can you do to help others? Showing Mercy Mercy is helping people who don t deserve it and can t pay you back for it. It is easy to help people that are like you and when we are ready for it, like going to serve at Single Momm or church. But it is hard to help people in the moment when you are busy doing something else. This is the kind of help Jesus is telling us we need to have. Don t just help people when you are ready but help people when it is hard. Help the person who doesn t deserve it and can t pay you back for it. Help others like Jesus helped you (look up Romans 5:6-10).
Week 3: Day 2 Wrong Focus First Read Luke 11:37-44 Read the passage again and write the things Jesus said the Pharisees did wrong? How was what the Pharisee s focus different than what Jesus focused on? How can you focus on the things Jesus cares about and not get distracted like the Pharisees on things that are not important? Wrong Focus The religious leaders were surprised that Jesus did not wash his hands before eating. This was a ceremony and had nothing to do with being clean like we do today. Jesus tells them they are focused on the wrong things, the outward appearance, but they ignore the heart. They cared about looking good to others than about actually being good to others. They did things that made themselves seem important but ignored helping others in need. Jesus does not want you to be concerned about how you look to others but to focus on your heart. Do you care about people enough to help them, even those who don t deserve it?
Week 3: Day 3 Right Focus First Read: Luke 12:22-34 Read the passage again and write down each of the illustrations Jesus gives and what they teach us. Illustration Lesson it Teaches According to verse 31 what are you to focus on more than anything else? What will you do when we have the right focus according to verses 31-34? What things do you have that you can use to help others? Make a list and ask God to use you as a way to help others. Seek His Kingdom What do you worry about? It may be things like if you dressed well enough to show your status at school or if you have enough money to go eat pizza with some friends. This kind of worry is driven by greed and wanting what others have. Jesus teaches to instead seek first His Kingdom. Make Jesus our primary focus and something amazing will happen. Money popularity, and appearing good enough will fade from your thoughts and be replaced with using whatever you have to help others around you. What has God given you that you can use to help others?
Week 3: Day 4 Angry or Rejoicing First Read: Luke 13:10-17 Read the passage again and describe the different emotions of people and why they had them. What did the synagogue official care more about than the healing of the woman? What causes you to become angry and what causes you to rejoice? Are these things the same things that God gets angry or rejoices in? Angry or Rejoicing? How someone responds to a situation tells a lot about what is in their hearts. If a student gets sent to the principal how you respond will show if that person is your friend or enemy. Jesus did something amazing. He healed a woman who had been sick for 18 years! You would think everyone would be happy but one man was not. He became angry because Jesus healed on the Sabbath. He cared more about what day it was and about his animals than about a human being. What makes you rejoice or become angry? Do you care about people getting saved, overcoming a temptation, and getting help? Or do you care more about how you look to others? Evaluate your heart with the questions above and ask God to help you have a heart like His.
Week 3: Day 5 Following Jesus First Read: Luke 14:25-33 Read the passage again and describe what a person must do in order to follow Jesus? Circle the ones that you think are harder for you. Jesus tells us to count the cost. What is the cost of following Jesus? Why is Jesus worth giving everything up for in order to follow him? Do you really want to Follow Jesus? Read that question again. Jesus tells us there is a cost to following him and it sounds very high. Hate your family, give up your life, and even give up everything you own. The first cost, hate family, is confusing. Jesus does not want you to disrespect or disobey your family, but He is saying that you must put follow Jesus in front of your family. Jesus is more important than you family, your life, and all your possessions! God gives us our families, our lives, and our possessions to be used to help people and tell them who Jesus is. If you are unwilling to completely change your life for Jesus than you won t follow Jesus. But if you are willing to use everything you have and give up whatever you have to help others and tell them about Jesus than you are following Him! Jesus is worth the cost. He promises to reward us with something better than anything we have to give up. Trust God and follow Jesus no matter what! If you have not trusted in Jesus as your Savior then please talk to someone about doing so today. He is worth it.
And they raised their voices, saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us! -Luke 17:13 Questions? Comments? Contact Pastor Dan Email: Pastordan@Biblebaptisttc.com Call: (231) 947-0660