Leaders- open up by inviting your group to share any good news happening in their lives recently.
This is the beginning of a new series on the Gospel of Luke and the life of Jesus as seen in this gospel. Group leaders, take some time at the beginning to review Luke’s background before jumping into the text.
Who was Luke? ( Luke 1:1-4)
- Physician (Colossians 4:14)
- Gentile (only gentile to write a book of the Bible)
- Faithful friend and traveling companion of Paul
- Also wrote the book of Acts
- Not himself an eyewitness but meticulous researcher
Take some time to discuss how you see these details of Luke’s background impacts his writing.
Diving into the text- Read aloud Luke 2:43-52. Looking more closely at the early life of Christ-talk about what's going on? What do you observe in this passage? What do you have questions about? Consider these words and add your own to the discussion.
- Listened
- Obedient
- Grew in . . .
Read aloud Philippians 2:5-11 How do you see these verses play out in the previous passage in Luke?
Scripture firmly teaches that Jesus was both all God, and yet, all man. This is the mystery of the incarnation. While it is hard to wrap our minds around such a truth, how do you see the implications this truth has to our faith? Divinity and Humanity in the person of Jesus. Spend the rest of your group unpacking how each of these identities impact our redemption and relationship with Him.
This week, take time to re-read Luke chap 1-2 along with the Phil passage. If they are already very familiar to you- ask God to speak to you in a fresh way.
Close in prayer.
"Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy . . . this author should be placed along with the very greatest historians."
Sir William Ramsay, Historian
Read
Reflect
Consider the Incarnation. Fully God and fully man. What do each of these identities mean for you and your relationship with Christ?
Do
This week, re-read Luke chap 1-2 along with the Philippians passage. If they are already very familiar to you- ask God to speak to you in a fresh way. Reach out to someone in your group to discuss what the first 2 chapters of Luke are saying to you.
Go Deeper
We can demonstrate the story of Jesus' Incarnation by being "Jesus-in-skin" to our community. As a group- consider choosing one of the DIY opportunities #forthelou to do together this summer!