All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE. Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.lockman.org) Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from Q Place, P.O. Box 1581, Wheaton, IL, 60187, USA; 1-800-369-0307; info@qplace.com. Luke: A Physician s Examination of Jesus Life Copyright 2016 by Q Place Previously published as Luke: Good News and Great Joy Copyright 1997 by Neighborhood Bible Studies Cover photo: J. Lekavicius/Shutterstock First Q Place Printing 2016 Printed in the United States of America ISBN 978-1-880266-76-2
CONTENTS GETTING STARTED How to Use this Discussion Guide........................ 5 What Is a Q Place?.... 6 Q Place Guidelines...................................... 6 Q Place Discussion Tips... 7 Tools for Studying the Bible in a Q Place................... 7 When You Are the Question-Asker........................ 8 Luke: A Physician s Examination of Jesus Life Introduction... 9 1. Luke 1 2 The Birth of Jesus.... 11 2. Luke 3 4 John s Ministry; Jesus Temptation and Preaching....... 19 3. Luke 5 6 The Call and Training of the Twelve.................. 29 4. Luke 7 8 Desperate Situations... 39 5. Luke 9 10 Contrasts: Glory and Defeat, Rejection and Joy......... 49 6. Luke 11 12 Harsh Words and Great Promises.................... 57 7. Luke 13 14 People in Danger and a Dinner Party.................. 67 8. Luke 15 16 Lost Sinners, Poor and Rich......................... 77 9. Luke 17 18 Preparing for Things to Come........................ 87
10. Luke 19 20:18 Jericho, Jerusalem, and the Temple.................. 97 11. Luke 20:19 21 Temple Teachings and Predictions.................. 105 12. Luke 22 23 Last Supper, Trials, Crucifixion..................... 115 13. Luke 24 Resurrection!... 125 14. Review of Luke... 135 MAP... 139
Luke A Physician's Examination of Jesus' Life Introduction T he Gospel of Luke is part one of a two-volume work, with the Gospel of Luke covering Jesus life, death, and resurrection and the book of Acts covering the first thirty years of the Church. These two books tie the New Testament together: The Gospel of Luke correlates with the other accounts of Jesus given by Matthew, Mark, and John, and the book of Acts records the spread of the gospel and provides the historical setting for Paul s letters. Luke was a native of Antioch in Syria. A medical doctor by profession (Colossians 4:14), he may have been a Gentile (as far as we know, the only possible Gentile among the New Testament writers) or a Hellenic Jew. He sets his account in the context of the Roman world, precisely dating the events of Luke and Acts by numerous references to Roman emperors and governors. A companion of the apostle Paul, Luke had ample opportunity to do research for his Gospel account during Paul s two-year imprisonment in Caesarea (Acts 24:27). Jerusalem and Galilee were within two days travel, so Luke would have had access to numerous eyewitnesses of the gospel events. (See map on page 139.) Luke s occupation as a physician may explain his special interest in events surrounding the birth of John the Baptist and the virgin birth of Jesus, as well as his detailed description of the physical resurrection of Jesus. The details he includes suggest that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was one of his key sources of information. Throughout his Gospel, Luke mentions needy people the poor, the outcasts, the lost and he presents Jesus as the Deliverer and Redeemer, the One who is the Good News. Introduction 9
1Luke 1 2 The Birth of Jesus Luke s opening paragraph follows the style and language of the great Greek historians. His first two chapters are devoted to establishing the uniqueness of Jesus. Luke accomplishes this by his description of divine intervention in the births of both John and Jesus. Read Luke 1:1-4 1. What is the source of Luke s information for his Gospel? What is his method and motive for writing this account? Read Luke 1:5-25 2. Using verses 5-13, describe Zechariah and Elizabeth. Try to list at least seven things about them. The Birth of Jesus 11
3. What specifically does the angel explain about the son Elizabeth will bear? Why does Zechariah respond as he does to the angel s message? 4. How is Zechariah s question answered (verses 19-25)? 5. Why do we often find the promises of God difficult to believe? Read Luke 1:26-38 6. Briefly describe the encounter between Mary and the angel Gabriel. 12 Luke: A Physician's Examination of Jesus' Life
7. Comparing Mary s reaction to Gabriel with that of Zechariah, what similarities and what differences do you observe? Zechariah Mary 8. List what is predicted regarding John (verses 14-17) and Jesus (verses 32-35). John Jesus The Birth of Jesus 13
Read Luke 1:39-56 9. Locate Nazareth (verse 26) and the region of Judea on the map on page 139. What happens when Mary visits her relative Elizabeth? Why do you think Luke includes a description of the visit? What is the significance of Elizabeth s statement (verse 43)? Read Luke 1:57-80 10. Describe the events surrounding the birth of John. What does his father predict about John s ministry? 14 Luke: A Physician's Examination of Jesus' Life
Given Gabriel s message (verses 14-17) and what Zechariah says (verses 68-79), what might you expect John to be like and to do? Read Luke 2:1-21 11. Refer to the map on page 139. Why wasn t Jesus born at home in Nazareth? (See also Micah 5:2.) 12. Which events of Jesus birth appear ordinary? Which are extraordinary? What message is delivered to the shepherds, and what is the implied command? The Birth of Jesus 15
Read Luke 2:22-52 13. Briefly describe the three trips to Jerusalem mentioned in this section. What is the purpose and outcome of each? 14. What had Jesus parents learned about him from the shepherds, and what do they now learn from Simeon? How do Mary and Joseph respond to Jesus words and actions during the third visit to Jerusalem? 15. What do you learn from verses 39 and 40 regarding Jesus childhood? What do verses 51 and 52 say about his adolescent years? What is emphasized in both sections? 16 Luke: A Physician's Examination of Jesus' Life
SUMMARY 1. To what people and events in secular history does Luke refer in the story of Jesus birth? Why is it important that Luke sets his account in historical context, both for the people to whom he originally wrote and for those who would read his account many centuries later? 2. From these chapters, summarize what was predicted about the ministry of John and the ministry of Jesus. What was each to do? John Jesus The Birth of Jesus 17
3. How did God prove himself trustworthy to those involved in the birth of John and the birth of Jesus? CHOICES Our choices in life include how we will respond to the activity and will of God. Elizabeth and Zechariah chose to act in faith when God said he was going to answer their prayers for a son. Mary chose to accept the amazing plan God had for her life. The shepherds chose to obey the angelic message to go and see for themselves. Simeon and Anna decided they would believe and proclaim the revelation that the infant Jesus was the Lord s Christ. How do you choose to respond to the fact of Jesus coming? 18 Luke: A Physician's Examination of Jesus' Life