HOME GROUP CURRICULUM Luke Chapter 1
Home Group Study Series: Jesus Text: Luke 1: 1-4 Sermon Review Question: As you reflect on last weekend's sermon, what one principle or insight stands out as being particularly helpful, or difficult to grasp? Remember the context: The gospel of Luke was written by Luke, who was probably a Gentile by birth. Luke was a companion to Paul at various times from his second missionary journey to his final imprisonment. The gospel of Luke was specifically directed to Theophilus, who was probably a Roman official. Luke was written by a Gentile, for Gentiles. Story telling: In your own words sum up tonight's verse. Rebuilding the Story as a Group: Bible Check: What was missed or added?
Questions: Head Accepting God's Word: 1. Luke relied on several eyewitnesses and scribes for his record of the events of Jesus s life. Who was the target audience for the gospel of Luke? Heart Accepting God's Word: 2. Luke initially wrote the gospel for Theophilus. Why do you think he specifically wrote it to him? Hands Applying God's Word: 3. Luke provides an example of how we should study the gospel. How will you use his example to study the Word?
Prayer Time: Pray for those on your list.
Home Group Study Series: Jesus Text: Luke 1:5-25 Sermon Review Question: As you reflect on last weekend's sermon, what one principle or insight stands out as being particularly helpful, or difficult to grasp? Remember the context: Luke documents the Gospel of Jesus and writes to Theophilus as a historian with eye witness accounts. It had been longer than 400 years since the Holy Spirit had been active and there had not been a prophet since Malachi. This is the time that the Roman Empire had taken over and ruled the land. Story telling: In your own words sum up tonight's verse. Rebuilding the Story as a Group: Bible Check: What was missed or added?
Questions: Head Accepting God's Word: 1. In verse 13-17 the angel Gabriel tells Zechariah that he and his aged wife will have a son and this son will be great before the Lord. In verse 15 the angel says And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mothers womb. Why do you think God would choose Zechariah and his wife to be the parents of John the Baptist? Heart Accepting God's Word: 2. Re-read verse 18. After Zechariah openly doubts the angel his voice is taken from him until his child is born. Why do you think Zechariah was doubtful? Have you ever doubted a blessing from God? Hands Applying God's Word: 3. God answered Zechariah and his wife's prayers by giving them a son but they had to wait for Gods timing. Are we faithful and wait for God to answer prayers in our life? How does this look to someone outside the church?
Prayer Time: Pray for those on your list.
Home Group Study Series: Jesus Text: Luke 1:26-38 Sermon Review Question: As you reflect on last weekend's sermon, what one principle or insight stands out as being particularly helpful, or difficult to grasp? Remember the context: Zechariah had been spoken to in the temple by the angel Gabriel and had been told his wife would become pregnant with a son that would make the people ready for the Lord. He was unable to speak, he returned home and his wife became pregnant. Story telling: In your own words sum up tonight's verse. Rebuilding the Story as a Group: Bible Check: What was missed or added?
Questions: Head Accepting God's Word: 1. Mary is visited by the angel Gabriel and told she will give birth to a son. Mary is a virgin and in a culture that will not easily accept her condition. Do we struggle to accept God's word today because of the culture we are in? Heart Accepting God's Word: 2. In verse 38 we see Mary s response to the angel. Re-read the verse, how can we find the courage and conviction to respond as Mary did? Hands Applying God's Word: 3. In this week s lesson with Mary and last weeks with Zechariah, we see God deliver life altering news to people who were able to accept it and follow His will. In what ways can we prepare our lives to more easily listen to and apply the will of God?
Prayer Time: Pray for those on your list.
Home Group Study Series: Jesus Text: Luke 1:39-45 Sermon Review Question: As you reflect on last weekend's sermon, what one principle or insight stands out as being particularly helpful, or difficult to grasp? Remember the context: An Angel named Gabriel visits Zechariah and Elizabeth to tell the news of their son John the Baptist and how he will prepare the way for the Lord. Zechariah responds with fear and doubt and is made temporarily mute. The angel Gabriel then goes to tell Mary the good news of Jesus birth. Mary responds with curiosity and even sings a song of praise. Zechariah was told he would have his prayer answered, while Mary was told she had found favor with the Lord. Story telling: In your own words sum up tonight's verse. Rebuilding the Story as a Group: Bible Check: What was missed or added?
Questions: Head Accepting God's Word: 1. Read the passage to yourself. Where in today's passage does it show you that Mary was joyful in the news she heard from the angel? What was Elizabeth referring to when she said, "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her?" -Luke 1:45 Heart Accepting God's Word: 2. Luke 1:41 mentions that the Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth. As a result she rejoiced over the good news of God blessings Mary. Do you rejoice over the good news of others when God blesses them? How do you show that you rejoice over their good news? Hands Applying God's Word: 3. Luke 1:45 mentions that Mary was blessed for believing the Lord. Although Mary was a single woman with no husband she trusted God would fulfill his promise of giving her a child. What promises of God do you hold onto and believe He will fulfill?
Prayer Time: Pray for those on your list. What can you pray for with your group that celebrates God's goodness in their life?
Home Group Study Series: Jesus Text: Luke 1: 46-56 Sermon Review Question: As you reflect on last weekend's sermon, what one principle or insight stands out as being particularly helpful, or difficult to grasp? Remember the context: A hymn of praise from Mary (like a psalm). Also called Magnificant, Mary praised God in this scripture. Mary has already conceived Jesus and carries Him in her womb. Story telling: In your own words sum up tonight's verse. Rebuilding the Story as a Group: Bible Check: What was missed or added?
Questions: Head Accepting God's Word: 1. In verse 50 it is written His mercy extends to those that fear him, from generation to generation. What does it mean to fear the Lord? Heart Accepting God's Word: 2. Verse 53 says that the Lord has filled the hungry with good things. What are the good things from God that we are filled with? Hands Applying God's Word: 3. In what verse do we see that God is merciful and will keep his promises? Is this important for us to know? Why? How can we follow Jesus s example?
Prayer Time: Pray for those on your list.
Home Group Study Series: Jesus Text: Luke 1:57-80 Sermon Review Question: As you reflect on last weekend's sermon, what one principle or insight stands out as being particularly helpful, or difficult to grasp? Remember the context: Mary has received the news that she will be giving birth to a son even though she is a virgin, the angel told her that her cousin Elizabeth would also be giving birth even though she was too old. Mary has gone to spend time with Elizabeth. Story telling: In your own words sum up tonight's passage. Rebuilding the Story as a Group: Bible Check: What was missed or added?
Questions: Head Accepting God's Word: 1. In verse 64, Zechariah is finally able to speak after being mute for several months and immediately begins praising God. Have you had to face a difficult calling from God? Heart Accepting God's Word: 2. Following up from the previous question. After you accepted Gods will in your life and struggled with accomplishing His plan, how did you react after you saw His purpose fulfilled? Hands Applying God's Word: 3. We have seen God begin fulfilling His promise by bringing about the birth of John to prepare the way for the birth of Christ. We have accepted His grace, and have a duty to continue fulfilling the great commission. In what ways can we do better in reaching those around us who need to hear God's promise?
Prayer Time: Pray for those on your list.