The Books of the Bible: Luke - Acts

LUKE

We have reunited the two volumes of Luke–Acts and placed them first because they provide an overview of the New Testament period. Luke wrote this two-volume history to serve several important purposes:

• He wanted to assure followers of Jesus that what they’d been taught about him was trustworthy.
• Luke documents how God kept the promise he made to the people of Israel by sending them their long-awaited Messiah, demonstrating that the true God is faithful and can be trusted completely.
• He proves that the extension of God’s blessings to the Gentiles is not a fickle change of plans but rather the masterful fulfillment of a plan God has been pursuing over the ages.

What to watch for in Luke: Keep watch for some unlikely cast members in Luke’s drama. Luke highlights Jesus’s compassion toward the outsiders and outcasts of his day: the poor, the disabled, tax collectors, women, children, and others. According to Luke, Jesus is for everybody.

Personal Bible Experience

Your personal Bible experience starts with a daily practice of reading the Bible. This week before your group meeting, read the book of Luke. Use the journaling space to capture your thoughts, questions, responses, emotions, and insights as you read the daily selection. Keep in mind the questions you will be talking about with your discussion group:

• What was new or compelling to you?
• What questions did you have?
• Was there anything that bothered you?
• What did you learn about loving God?
• What did you learn about loving others?

Daily Reading Journal

Day 1: Luke–Acts Invitation–Luke 4:13 (pages 1–11)

Day 2: Luke 4:14–9:50 (pages 11–24)

Day 3: Luke 9:51–13:21 (pages 25–33)

Day 4: Luke 13:22–19:27 (pages 33–42)

Day 5: Luke 19:28–24:53 (pages 42–54)

Community Bible Experience

Welcome to Session 2 of the Community Bible Experience. You have been experiencing the Bible personally by reading through the book of Luke this week, and now your group has gathered to experience the Bible in community with each other. Think of your discussion as more of a book club than a Bible study.

Reflecting on the Previous Week (30–60 minutes)

From your Personal Bible Experience in Luke this week, have a conversation with your group about what you read by answering the following questions.

What was new or compelling to you?

What questions did you have?

Was there anything that bothered you?

What did you learn about loving God?

What did you learn about loving others?

Preparing for the Week Ahead (15–20 minutes)

Watch Session One: The Books of the Bible

VIDEO NOTES

Acts

What the disciples did after Jesus ascended

Key to Acts: Movement

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

(ACTS 1:8)

Key Event: At Pentecost, the Spirit descends

Key Picture of Transformation: Community

Key Lesson: God is at work in our disappointment

Key Figure: Saul

[Saul] fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.

Key City: Antioch

Themes of Acts

Places Sermons Conflict and persecution Movement of the Holy Spirit

Relevance of Acts

Jesus wants to be known

(ACTS 9:4–5)

1–2 Thessalonians Purpose of 1–2 Thessalonians

To encourage the Thessalonians in their faith

Themes of 1–2 Thessalonians

Encouragement in their suffering

Make a clean break from their old life, and step into their new life Comfort

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Your Turn

Come share your thoughts about Luke and Acts in The Books of the Bible with us on our blog. We want to hear from you!