June 22-28, Week Four:  Jesus’ Mission Identified

Before we get started some things to keep in mind:  This week there are some cultural context you need to keep in mind as you are trying to understand and interpret the scripture selection for the week. First, Palestine during this time had three major regions:  North was Galilee (the scripture this week has Jesus in the region of Galilee); Middle region was Samaria and the Southern region was Judea.  Judea was where Nazareth and Jerusalem was located.  Then, which is not unlike today, certain geographical regions had its stereotypical associations or attitudes that come with it. Judea has a “superiority” idea – this region thought themselves to be more culturally rich or sophisticated.  The best schools and best or more intellectual rabbis were from Judea. Samaria, were near outcasts in relationship to Judea, because politically they did not recognized Jerusalem as the main place of religious authority and because racially they were considered inferior Jews due to the high percentage of mix marriage relationships.  Galilee was considered too unsophisticated by Judeans.  To be identified primarily as a Galilean would carry with it the same kind of connotation as being called a Hillbilly or Redneck today. 

Second, Scribes were the teachers of the law – Rabbis and Pharisees were the religious lawyers and judges.  These were considered the spiritual and religious elites -- scholars.  In the Gospel of Luke, the connotation that comes with this identity is one of arrogant elitism, especially in the passages of conflict.  This group of people were the “hyper spiritual/hyper religious” people in his world.  That is not to say that they were all like this; there were a number of Scribes and Pharisees that did stay open minded as they listened and responded to Jesus, for we have examples of these as Jesus’ followers.             

Scriptural Encounter and Discussion – Week Four Luke 4:14-5:32 Jesus’ Mission Identified

Let’s Get Started:  Read our selection of the Week Luke 4:14-5:32             

Observation Level

(First step in Bible study is to start by observing what is actually there before you start trying to interpret or apply)

First, Observe that Jesus starts out in Galilee and then goes to Nazareth (region of Judea, then moves to Galilee)  We don’t know how long Jesus had been teaching, preaching, doing miracles before he made his way back to his home town of Nazareth, but certainly before he arrived many had heard about the success of this hometown boy. (v 4:14-16 & 23)

Using the following chart – what do you notice that is significant in each of these sections?

4:14-30  What did Jesus understand to be his fivefold purpose? What happened that cause his hometown to try to kill him?	5:1-11  Notice the sequence of events.  This miracle of the fish seems to have more of an impact on Peter than the healing of his mother in-law and others in 4:42-44.
4:31-37   What about Jesus’ teaching impressed people the most?	5:12-15   What do we see Jesus doing again as he did in 4:42-44?  Solitary time seems important to Jesus.
4:38-41   What do you see as the relationship between what Jesus said and how he backed-up what he said?	5:17-26   The section starts with Jesus’ teaching causing controversy and ends with controversy.  What is this controversy over?
4:42-44   What do you see Jesus doing here to balance his needs with the people’s needs and God’s direction?	5:27-32   What is the controversy in this section about?

Compare verses 3:21, 4:1, 14, 18 and 5:17 – What is the common element in each verse?  What does this reveal about the source of Jesus’ power?

Imaginative Level

(Use your imagination and memory to dialogue with the text)

Re-read 5:1-11.  Imagine yourself as Simon Peter, you have a profitable fishing business.  You like your partners in the business, James and John.  You have a family you care and support. You have a modest but nice home near the beach.  What might you be thinking and feeling in this miracle event of the fish and then when Jesus calls you to give it up to become his Disciple full-time?

Re-read 5:17-26.  Try to imagine yourself as Jesus.  You are most likely in the modest home of Peter, you are aware of the make-up of the crowd – who is all there?  What do you sense they looking for or want from you?  Note, in the crowd there is an “advance party” of Scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem and other synagogues. What is it that you want from those gathered?

Interpretive Level

(What does it all mean?)

Note the reasons for the controversy in 4:24-28; 5:17-26; and 5:27-32.  What does Luke want us to understand about Jesus by the dynamics of these controversies that Jesus teachings and actions caused? 

Where do you see this story continuing in the world today? Or, Where do you see this taking place in the world today?  Have you encountered the “hyper spiritual/hyper religious” people in your world – what problems arise in these encounters or relationships? 

Spiritual elitism seems to be a problem for Jesus, how do you see that connect to his understanding of his fivefold mission?

Maieutic Level 

(Maieutic means making meaning or connections with reality.  It’s about discerning wisdom)

What does this passage have to say about the way life is? Is this true?  If you believe it is true – what implication does it have for your life right now?  What do you feel that you need to do with this truth?

Miracles abound in this section, what seems to be the purpose for these miracles?  Does God still do miracles today? 

Share Your Life:  Share a life event where God just amazed you and it changed the way you understood God. 

Week Four Summary of possible questions for discussion, comment or reply:

1. Compare verses 3:21, 4:1, 14, 18 and 5:17 – What is the common element in each verse?  What does this reveal about the source of Jesus’ power?
2.  What might you be thinking and feeling in this miracle event of the fish and then when Jesus calls you to give it up to become his Disciple full-time?
3. Note the controversies.  What does Luke want us to understand about Jesus by the dynamics of these controversies that Jesus teachings and actions caused? 
4. Have you encountered the “hyper spiritual/hyper religious” people in your world – what problems arise in these encounters or relationships? 
5. Spiritual elitism seems to be a problem for Jesus, how do you see that connect to his understanding of his fivefold mission?
6. What does this passage have to say about the way life is? Is this true?  If you believe it is true – what implication does it have for your life right now?  What do you feel that you need to do with this truth?
7.  Miracles abound in this section, what seems to be the purpose for these miracles?  Does God still do miracles today? 
8. Share Your Life:  Share a life event where God just amazed you and it changed the way you understood God.

June 15-22 Week Three:  Out of the Wilderness

Before we get started: Some things to keep in mind:

If there had been a newspaper, when Jesus and John the Baptizer burst on the public scene some of the headlines may have been[i]:

• Caesar Tiberius Retires to Estate on Capri
• General Lucius Sejanus, Leader of Praetorian Guards, makes power play – Consolidates Control of the Government
• Economists Report Hyperinflation Rampant in All Areas of Empire – “…will be the undoing of the empire,” They Warn
• War with Iran in 34^th year – No end in sight
• Athletes and Solders Start Training Camp for Olympic Games
• Pontius Pilate, Appointed Governor of Judea, Arrives in Jerusalem
•  Another Broken Treaty!  Jerusalem In Uproar as Pilate Plants the Roman Flag Inside the City in Violation of Treaty
• Jerusalem Aqueduct Project begins – Pilate says to Lower Unemployment Rate
• Pilate Pays for Aqueduct Project by Confiscating Gold from Jewish Temple Treasure House.
• Disguised Roman Solders Mingle with Protestors Over Temple Gold – Kill Some and Seriously Injure Others in Riot.
• Sicarius Terrorist Network Threatens to Kill Pilate
• Crime is Up!  Mideast Land Trade Routes Become Unstable Due to Terrorist Attacks and Bandits
• King Herod Launches Another Harbor Building Project to Increase Sea Trade – More Taxes for Everyone!
• Palestinian People Starving and Dying From Disease While Tons of Wine and the Pomegranate, Grape, Olive, and Mellon Harvest is Shipped to Roman Markets

There may have been no mention of the two cousins launching their public ministry in these headlines but these two were going to change the shape of human history.  A closer look at the headlines that would have made the papers reveals that the New Testament world looks surprisingly like our time:

·       There were wars, terrorism, crime

·       There was injustice, poverty, greed

·       There was disease

·       There was political struggles for power

·       There were taxes

So if Jesus’ and John’s time looks so similar to ours, then this begs the question: “What difference has the life and ministry of Jesus made to society – to humanity?

Scriptural Encounter and Discussion – Week Three Luke 3-4:13 Out of the Wilderness

Let’s Get Started:  Read our selection of the Week Luke 3-4:13.

Observation Level

(First step in Bible study is to start by observing what is actually there before you start trying to interpret or apply)

Make a chart similar to the one below[ii].  As you read each section record what you notice and what is the key idea Luke is communicating?

John Out of the Wilderness	Jesus Out of the Wilderness
3:1-7	3:21-23
3: 8-14	3:23b-38  Why not stop with Abraham? What’s the point?
3: 15-20	4:1-13

1. Why did Luke list all the public officials? (v1-3)
2. What was John’s message and purpose? (4-6 & 15-18)
3. How would you describe John’s message and style?  Who does it indicate was listening and responding to John’s message?
4. Why might it be important of Jesus to be baptized with others?
5.  What happened at Jesus Baptism?
6. What did Satan temp Jesus with?  How did he overcome the temptation?

Imaginative Level

(Use your imagination and memory to dialogue with the text)

Re-Read Luke 3:7-19

Try to imagine you are an ordinary person living in these times, perhaps bemoaning the headlines above to a friend and the friend tells you to come and hear a prophet who has a solution to all these problems.  What solutions does the teaching of John the Baptist offer to the mess the world is in?

Re-Read Luke 4:1-13

If the devil had three shots at you, what three temptations would he use to try to trap you?

Interpretive Level

What kind of repentance is John calling for?  Even the Roman soldiers responded to John’s preaching and asked what they could do to show true repentance; what would John say that you, personally could do specifically based on your everyday work to show true repentance?

Re-Read Luke 4:1-13

In each temptation, what was its appeal?  Its Price?  Were they real temptations for Jesus?  What kind of rationalization may have happened before the wisdom of scripture came to Jesus to guide him?

Make a list of all the things that tempt you; then what scriptures would help you at the time of the temptation.

Maieutic Level

(Maieutic means making meaning or connections with reality.  It’s about discerning wisdom)

Refer back to the Roman headlines once more; there may be little we can do about the global mess or national mess we find ourselves.  You may feel despair or overwhelmed and hopeless when you consider all that is wrong in the world, your country, your town, your life.  But both John’s preaching and Jesus’ handling of the temptations give us insight where real change must start.  Electing neither Democrats nor Republicans will change our world.  We cannot legislate or change congressional leaders to fix the real problems we face is one of the implications of John’s and Jesus’ teaching.  Real change must start where according to John? 

Sometime we need to wander around in the wilderness before God can put us on a new path.  The wilderness may look like a barren place and a difficult time, but important formation of the heart can be taking place that prepares us for the “new” God has planned for us. 

Share Your Life:  What does “New Life” meant to you?  Have you experienced some wilderness wanderings before God set you on a new path?  At what time(s) in your life have you felt God beginning something new in you?  What happened?

Week Three Summary of possible questions for discussion or reply:

1. What solutions does the teaching of John the Baptist offer to the mess the world is in?
2. If the devil had three shots at you, what three temptations would he use to try to trap you?
3. What is the kind of repentance is John calling for?  Even the Roman soldiers responded to John’s preaching and asked what they could do to show true repentance; what would John say that you, personally could do specifically based on your everyday work to show true repentance?
4. In each temptation, what was its appeal?  It’s Price?  Where they real temptations for Jesus?  What kind of rationalization may have happened before the wisdom of scripture came to Jesus to guide him?
5. Share Your Life:  What does “New Life” meant to you?  Have you experienced some wilderness wanderings before God set you on a new path?  At what time(s) in your life have you felt God beginning something new in you?  What happened?

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[i] R. Redfield, Peasant Society and Culture, (Chicago: Chicago Univ. Press, 1956); Peter Richardson, Herod: King of Jews and Friend of the Romans, (Columbia: USC Press, 1996) p. 178; M Rostovtzeff, Fraser, ed., The Social and Economic History of the Roman Empire, (Oxford:  Clarendon Press, 1957)

[ii] Irving Jenson, Luke, (Chicago:  Moody Press, 1970) Chart G.

June 8-14, The Birth of Hope Bible Study

Before we get started: Some things to keep in mind

Both Luke and Matthew have infancy narratives but they selected different parts to emphasize for a reason.  Remember from last week, Luke is reporting on only what he found out from primary sources for the purpose of a clear presentation to Roman seekers of the truth.  Matthew was writing for Jewish ears and thus his story would include the part that would most interest his readers.  Luke’s Roman readers were curious about this miracle working Jewish messiah that was turning the world upside down.  Part of that curiosity had to do with the significance of his birth; where did he come from was the question?  Luke starts by educating his readers to the connection with the Hebrew scriptures with his many allusions to messianic texts:  Exodus 30:7, Dan 10:7 & 12, Num 6:3, Mal 3:1, 4-5, 2 Sam 7:12-16, and Judges 5:24.  Main message:

• John and Jesus’ continuity with Judaism -  Messianic Promise to David
• God’s choice is to use the poor, oppressed, and weak to workout God’s plans
• The importance of Jerusalem – Jesus starts his ministry as a baby and ends it in Jerusalem

Scriptural Encounter and Discussion – Week Two Luke 1:5-2:52 

The Birth of Hope

Let’s Get Started:  Read our selection of the Week -- Luke 1:5-2:52 – The birth stories of John and Jesus.  

Observation Level

(First step in Bible study is to start by observing what is actually there before you start trying to interpret or apply)

Major sections of the Narrative:

• Birth of John and Jesus foretold by the Angel Gabriel – 1:5-25 & 1:26-38
• Mary’s Magnifcat (Song of Praise – most likely used in worship of the early church) 1:39-56
• Birth of John the Baptist & Zechariah’s Song 1:57-80
• Birth of Jesus 2:1-7
• Shepherds and Angels at the Birth 2:8-20
• Jesus’ circumcision at the Temple 2:21-40
• Twelve Year Old Jesus at the Temple again 2:41-52

You may want to start our observation of the Birth of Hope by making a comparison chart of these two unique birth narratives:  Zachariah & Elizabeth with Joseph and Mary.

Every baby born into a family is a seed of hope.  But these two babies were unique; they had a unique call and purpose.  What was John’s task and what was Jesus’ task?

Imaginative Level

(Use your imagination and memory to dialogue with the text)

Make notes on your chart of the contrast between Zachariah’s response and Mary’s response.

Imagine you are Zachariah in this mysterious and holy place and an Angel starts this conversation with you.  He asks you to recall the promise God gave in the last verses of the book of the Prophets:  “I will send you the Prophet Elijah” before “the Lord Messiah comes” (Mal4:5) and then tell you that your son is going to be this person.   What would be going through your mind?  Why would Zachariah doubt at such a time in the face of an Angel?

Imagine you are Mary going about your ordinary chores in a small obscure town.  You have an ordinary life planned out for you; your family has chosen a craftsman for you to marry and now you are 16 years old and it’s time to move from your father’s home into your husband’s to be family.  But life is taking a surprising and unexpected turn; you, an ordinary young woman, are being addressed by an Angel with an extraordinary message and task for you.  Mary’s questions were not questions of doubt as Zachariah’s but curiosity.  Would you surrender with such joyful abandonment if God suddenly changed all the plans you had for your life?

Would you be more like Zachariah or Mary – why?

Interpretive Level

Both sets of parents had been chosen and called by God to fulfill God’s purpose for the salvation of not just Israel but the whole world.  The weight of the task must have taken their breath away and weighed heavy on their heart as they contemplated the implications.  Zachariah knew the history of the suffering of any great prophet of God.  Mary knew the social stigma and danger that she would face.  The path that God has placed them on would not be an easy one, but with the end in sight they both responded with a hymn of praise and thanksgiving. 

Re-Read:  Luke 2:28-35 -- What does Simeon’s word reveal about the life and gospel of Jesus Christ?

Risk and faith are words that go together. The philosopher Soren Kierkegaard asserts there is no real authentic faith without a leap into faith.   Can you have true faith without any element of risk?  What does this imply about the relationship of faith and doubt?

You may want to watch and listen to this to help have a greater understanding of what verse 35 may have meant to Mary.  

What do we learn from Zachariah and Mary’s sung response of joy in the face of the risk which helps them embrace the risk?

Maieutic Level

(Maieutic means making meaning or connections with reality.  It’s about discerning wisdom)

Christian dogma, according to Kierkegaard, embodies paradoxes which are offensive to reason.  That is to say, when it comes to God’s ways and planning, reason can only take us so far.  Kierkegaard claims that the central paradox is the assertion that the eternal, infinite, transcendent God simultaneously became incarnated as a temporal, finite, human being (Jesus). There are two possible attitudes we can adopt to this assertion:  1) we can have faith, or 2) we can take offense. If we choose faith we must suspend our reason in order to believe in something higher or that which transcends human reasoning.  Mary’s song show this in two movements – first she surrenders to God who was beyond her understanding and then receives with joy her special calling.  Kierkegaard would call this embracing the absurd.

Share your life:  Think of a time when you took a risk for God.  Did it pay off?  What did the results look like?  What crosses did you encounter? Could you anticipate the joy of stepping out for God at the beginning?

Week Two Summary of possible questions for discussion or reply:

1. Every baby born into a family is a seed of hope.  But these two babies were unique; they had a unique call and purpose.  What was John’s task and what was Jesus’ task? Would you be more like Zachariah or Mary – why?
2. Risk and faith are words that go together.  Can you have true faith without any element of risk?  What does this imply about the relationship of faith and doubt? What do we learn from Zachariah’s and Mary’s sung response of joy in the face of the risk which helps them embrace the risk?
3. Share your life:  Think of a time when you took a risk for God.  Did it pay off?  What did the results look like?  What crosses did you encounter?  Could you anticipate the joy of stepping out for God at the beginning?
4. What helped lead you to take your “leap into faith”?

June 1-7, Introduction to Summer Bible Study on Luke

Today we get started with our summer Bible Study on the Gospel according to St. Luke.  Each week a new study will be submitted and we invite you to participate the rest of the week with posting your comments, insights, questions.   This week we start with the introduction.

Before we get started:  Overview and Introduction

Many narratives, events, encounters, and teachings make the Gospel of Luke the longest book of the New Testament.  Thus it’s impossible to do a quick overview.  About 60% of the book’s content is unique to Luke[i].  While other Gospels focus on the three years of Jesus’ public ministry, Luke covers two years and eight days in detail.  However, Luke gives us the most information concerning Jesus’ childhood.  This all makes it interesting to ponder why Luke selected what he did.

1-4:13	4:14-9:50	9:51-19:27	19:28-24
Preparation	Identification	Teachings	Mission Accomplished
Nazareth	Galilee	Judea & Perea	Jerusalem
30 Years	1 1/2 years	6 months	8 days

Luke’s four major sections to the book takes the reader on a journey.  In fact, the idea of a sacred journey is the main motif.  Some other major themes we will find are:

·        The individual is important

·        God’s love and grace is inclusive

·        Prayer is the grand means of grace

·        Jesus loved dinner parties 

Thus, another major theme is hospitality.  Hospitality is critical to Jesus’ evangelism style.  Another unique aspect of Luke’s gospel we have already alluded to is the importance of the individual.  Luke more than any other book shows Christ’s unrelenting interest in the marginalized and dispossessed people he encountered on this sacred journey. 

Let me introduce you to Luke

Most know Luke simply as the doctor who traveled with Paul.  Luke, the doctor, turned historian is responsible for a fourth of the New Testament, the Gospel of Luke plus Acts.  We know that he was an extraordinary person and an intellectual equal to the apostle Paul.  We know this because the Gospel of Luke is written in the most sophisticated Greek both in form and in the vocabulary choices. Luke, the doctor, was most likely a scientific mind of his day.  He was thorough in his research style and methodical in giving the details he records. 

Luke was a Greek (non-Jewish) member of the Church of Antioch.  Most likely he was converted to Christianity and discipled by Barnabas before he was invited to companion Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey through Asia.  Eventually Luke became Paul’s partner in ministry and scribe or secretary to Paul.  Intellectual equals and hearts beating in sync for the love of Christ made Paul and Luke the dynamic duo of the early Church. 

 

Scriptural Encounter and Discussion – Week One Luke 1:1-4

Luke’s Introduction

Let’s Get Started:  Read Luke 1:1-4 

Observation Level

(First step in Bible study is to start by observing what is actually there before you start trying to interpret or apply)

·     

• This book is written to a man named Theophilus.  From the way Luke address him, “Most Honored” or “Most Excellent,” Theophilus was a high ranking Roman official or a highly respected academic, or both.  Luke used the same wording in Act 26:25 to refer to Festus, a Roman governor.
•  Purpose of writing was to provide the most accurate account of the Christ event.  He says, “Many have written accounts…”  Here he is referring to the numerous accounts or gospels that were circulating at the time.  That raises the question, “Why not send Theophilus one of these already written?  Why send another account? 

Reread Verse 3.  Here Luke makes clear that he is only going to include in this account that which he has thoroughly investigated.  Luke uses the Greek word, “πεπληροφορημένα” which means absolutely certain – no doubt remains.  This word denotes the strongest conviction.

The implication of this phrase is that Luke is laying his academic or scientific reputation on the line so he is going to make sure what he reports is absolutely the truth.  He has conducted independent research on every report, every eyewitness has been re-interviewed by him, every fact has been checked out.  Theophilus can use this account to check the accuracy and test the authenticity of the teachings he had heard.    Luke is assuring him that he has used only primary sources in this writing. 

Imaginative Level

(Use your imagination and memory to dialogue with the text)

Imagine you are the one Luke is writing to, given his strong assurance of the truth he is going to tell you, what might you be feeling and thinking about what you were about to read? 

Keep in mind Luke is going to report on some amazing and hard to believe events and Theophilus, a well-educated public figure, is aware of some amazing claims about Jesus that was circulating at the time.  Could he be having doubts or be a skeptic about this Christian movement and its claims about a leader who rose from the dead? 

Are you or have you been skeptical about the Christian foundational story too?  What kind of questions do you have or did you have when you first started exploring Christian faith?

The instinct of a scientist in approaching a new field of study or understanding a phenomenon involves some critical thinking and investigation in a search for truthful understanding of what is going on.  Are you like Luke and Theophilus, one who has done a thorough investigation, or are you a cultural Christian who has just accepted what you heard without any serious effort or thought about it?

Maieutic Level

(Maieutic means making meaning or connections with reality.  It’s about discerning wisdom)

Christians and non-Christians hold widely differing views about the Bible. Some common untruths or disparaging attitudes about the Bible you may have heard are[ii]:

1.      Modern scholarship debunks the Bible

2.      The New Testament was composed long after the death of Jesus

3.      Jesus and the Bible have been shown to be false

4.      Christians worship the Bible

5.      Little or nothing is known about the historical person Jesus

6.      Jesus of history is different from the modern day Christ of faith

7.      The Gospels contradict one another

What attitude or views about the Bible do you bring to this summer’s Scriptural exploration and conversation?

Week One Summary of possible questions for discussion or reply:  Please share your replies, questions, or additional insights on this weeks reading.

1.      Imagine you are the one Luke is writing to, given his strong assurance of the truth he is going to tell you, what might you be feeling and thinking about what you were about to read?

2.      Are you or have you been skeptical about the Christian foundational story too?  What kind of questions do you have or did you have when you first started exploring Christian faith?

3.      Are you like Luke and Theophilus, one who has done a thorough investigation, or are you a cultural Christian who has just accepted what you heard without any serious effort or thought about it?

4.      What attitude or views about the Bible do you bring to this summer’s Scriptural exploration and conversation?

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[i] Irving Jensen, Bible Chart (Chicago:  Moody Press, 1976, 1981), chart 48.

[ii] Jeffrey Russell, Exposing Myths About Christianity (Downers Grove, IL: IV Press, 2012).