Starting this week Archbishop Peter Jensen is inviting the Bible study groups of the diocese to join him in a weekly online series on The Essential Jesus (the gospel of Luke). In each study the Archbishop will address a chapter of the Gospel of Luke, and lead us through the book we intend on giving away to as many people as possible.
STEP 1: READING
First, read Luke's introduction. This is the first paragraph on page 7 of The Essential Jesus.
(If you are using a Bible this is Luke chapter 1: verses 1-4)
STEP 2: REFLECTION
Why should anyone believe this book? Luke tells us how and why he wrote it. He is not writing a fairy-story or myth. He is writing about events both special and true. Notice some key words: 'fulfilled' - he means that the events were prophesied in the Old Testament and the God has brought them to pass. 'Eyewitnesses and servants of the message' - he believes that this story is authentic because it rests on the testimony of those who were present. But these events not merely a bit of insignificant history. They are special. They are a message from God to us. Luke has personally researched the facts and carefully presents them. Therefore, 'you may know the certainty of the message you have been taught.' As we share the Gospel, we should realise both that faith should be based on truth and that our message is indeed the truth.
STEP 3: DISCUSSION
1 'Faith is believing in something you know is not true'. Do you agree or disagree?
2 Does it matter that Luke was not himself an eye-witness?
3 Why is there so much emphasis here and elsewhere in the Gospels about the 'fulfilment' aspect of the coming of Jesus? Does it matter nowadays? Does it make the Gospel any more credible?
Ask your questions
This week Sydneyanglicans.net is introducing commenting across most of its articles.
Take advantage of this service to ask your questions about each study as it goes up.
