Bible Study : Luke Ch.1-2 Luke 1:1-4

We spent the whole evening on 4 verses!!!

1:1
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,

a. It doesn't say "things that have happened." It says "things that have been fulfilled."
NASB: "things that have been accomplished."

b. It doesn't say "things that we have fulfilled." It says "fulfilled among us."

c. Many have done this before. What is Luke's purpose for doing it again?

1:2
just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.

a. "from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word"
Who were eyewitnesses and servants of the word of Jesus' life? The disciples.
Was Luke a disciple? No.
If accounts from eyewitnesses and servants of the word (the disciples) were handed down to him, then he probably wasn't even hanging out with the disciples.

b. "servants of the word"
Servants of the Word?

1:3
Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,

a. carefully investigated
Luke's account is trustworthy for details

b. everything - emphasis on thoroughness again
There is a difference between "Luke carefully writing down everything that ever happened" vs. "everything that Luke is writing down, he has carefully investigated"

c. write
Knowing that traditionally, accounts were passed down orally, we notice Luke wants to write it down

d. orderly account
NASB: "an account in consecutive order"

e. Who was Theophilus?
Theo = God
Philus = Beloved, dear
Theophilus = Beloved of God / Friend of God
This can mean Luke was writing to "those beloved of God."

But Luke wrote "most excellent Theophilus." By writing the title "most excellent" which usually refers to a respected person (like "Most Honorable Judge"), we get a clue that maybe Luke was writing to a person. We do not know.

The name Theophilus also appears in Acts 1:1 - most research and scholars concur Acts was written by Luke - but there's no title there. Hmmmm....

1:4
so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

a. Theophilus has been taught these accounts before

b. Luke writes so that Theophilus may know the certainty of the things
NASB: "may know the exact truth"

~~~~~~~~

Bonus!

Having mentioned the Book of Acts, Wilson pointed us to the following:
1. Luke wrote down the Book of Acts
2. The Book of Acts contains accounts of what Paul did and what happened to Paul
3. The Book of Acts ends abruptly at the point right before Paul goes to trial.
4. Acts was also addressed to Theophilus.

So: What do you think was Luke's purpose for writing Acts? Who might Theophilus be?

How To Read The Bible

Syndicated from Hope EFC Men's blog:

Pastor Dorman Followwill's keys to Bible Study:

1. Read, Read, Read (i.e. read the passage over and over again)
2. NO outside aids (commentaries)
3. Observable facts - incontrovertible
4. Guidance is available from the Holy Spirit, the author of the Scriptures!
5. Make notes or draw what's described
6. Don't be content

Dorman noted that at Dallas Theological Seminary, a new student would be asked to make 25 observable facts on just one verse: Acts 1:8 !

Reading the passage over and over again helps to reveal things in the passage not apparent earlier.

Dorman used Psalm 23, as an example of "read, read, read," a passage very familiar to people and which many have memorized. He observed that in verses 1-3, the shepherd is ahead of the sheep, leading them. Yet verse 4 is the turning point- in the darkest moment, the shepherd is right next to the sheep, "for you (God) are with me."

Example homework assignment: Find 50 observable facts from Genesis 1:1-2:3

Can NOT just repeat what it says.
i.e. Genesis 1:1 facts:
#1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

rather...

#1 The subject of the first verse of the Bible is God.
#2 1st action taken by God as recorded in the Bible was to create.
#3 Creation of heavens mentioned before the creation of the earth.
#4 The Bible begins at the beginning.

You can make observations by breaking down the grammar, but that's not the only way.
Look for patterns and breaks in the pattern.

At this point, do not draw any theological conclusions, just make observations.

Seven Words from The Cross

The seven things Jesus said from the cross

1. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
A prayer for all people at all times, to a forgiving Father - These are the first words out of Jesus while He's dying on the cross - a prayer for all people

2. "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)
Jesus said this to one of the other prisoners hanging on the cross next to Him. That prisoner said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." All anyone has to do is ask; as soon as you ask, Jesus says you can be with Him. We don't need to merit grace.

3. To his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." (John 19:26)
Jesus proclaimed a provision for a grieving mother. From that time on, John took Mary into his home.

Notice: (1) thru (3) are all out of love for others, not Himself

4. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
The worst suffering - worse than the physical torment He was enduring - was having God the Father's back turned to Him for the first time, as Jesus faced death.

5. "I am thirsty." (also prophesied in Psalm 22)
Jesus displayed His humanity. He thirsts like the rest of us.

6. "It is finished."
Not a cry of defeat, but instead a cry of victory as Jesus fulfilled prophecy as the Son of God.

7. "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46)
Jesus faced death with prayer and assuredness.

* From Pastor Dorman's Good Friday message

Two and 2.

Our kick-off meeting was a great blessing! We had a much-missed time of singspiration, followed by sharing. Y and I presented our plan for the next 6 months - the small group setup, Bible study method, and activities to do as a group.

We'll be studying the Book of Luke, two chapters every two weeks. Instead of a study guide, we're asking each person to carefully read the chapters on his/her own, and to then come up with questions about the passages. And as a bonus:

HOMEWORK!

Questions from the passage are to be emailed to the group leader a week before each meeting.

Hopefully this method of study will train each of us to spend solid time with God's Word, interpret its meaning to us personally, and apply its revelation to our hearts. I am so very excited and looking forward to this experience together!

Check out our calendar!

- K

First gathering tonight!

Time: 8pm
Place: Hope EFC - 2701 Noriega Street, San Francisco, CA

We will announce our book study plan for the next 6 months. Cell groups will also be presented. Don't miss it!

- K