Elizabeth George - Living with Passion and Purpose: Luke

As always, thank you to my dear husband, Jim George, M.Div., Th.M., for your able assistance, guidance, suggestions, and loving encouragement on this project.

Copyright 2005 Elizabeth George
Published by Harvest House Publishers
Eugene, Oregon 97402
www.harvesthousepublishers.com

ISBN-13: 978-0-7369-0816-0
ISBN-10: 0-7369-0816-1

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

08 09 10 11 12 13 / BP-MS / 10 9 8? 7 6 5 4 3

F or some time I have been looking for Bible studies that I could use each day that would increase my knowledge of Gods Word. In my search, I found myself struggling between two extremes: Bible studies that required little time but also had little substance, or studies that were in-depth and demanded more time than I could give. I discovered that I wasnt alonethere were many other women like me who were busy yet desired to spend quality time studying Gods Word.

Thats why I became excited when Elizabeth George shared her desire to create a series of womens Bible studies that offered in-depth lessons that could be completed in just 15-20 minutes per day. When she completed the first studyon PhilippiansI was eager to try it out. I had already studied Philippians many times, but this was the first time I had come to understand exactly how the whole book fit together and how it can truly be lived out in my life. Each lesson was simple but insightfuland was written especially to apply to me as a woman!

In the Woman After Gods Own Heart Bible study series, Elizabeth takes you step by step through the Scriptures, sharing wisdom she has gleaned from more than 20 years as a womens Bible teacher. The lessons are rich and meaningful because theyre rooted in Gods Word and have been lived out in Elizabeths life. Her thoughtful and personable guidance makes you feel as though you are studying right alongside heras if she is personally mentoring you in the greatest aspiration you could ever pursue: to become a woman after Gods own heart.

If youre looking for Bible studies that can help you grow stronger in your knowledge of Gods Word even in the most demanding of schedules, I know youll find this series to be a welcome companion in your daily walk with God.

LaRae Weikert

Editorial Managing Director,

Harvest House Publishers

I n my book A Woman After Gods Own Heart, I describe such a woman as one who ensures that God is first in her heart and the Ultimate Priority of her life. Then I share that one crucial way this desire can become reality is by nurturing a heart that abides in Gods Word. To do so means that you and I must develop a root system anchored deep in Gods Word.

Before you launch into this Bible study, take a moment to think about these aspects of a root system produced by the regular, faithful study of Gods Word:

Roots are unseenYoull want to set aside time in solitudeunderground if you willto immerse yourself in Gods Word and grow in Him.

Roots are for taking inAlone and with your Bible in hand, youll want to take in and feed upon the truths of the Word of God and ensure your spiritual growth.

Roots are for storageAs you form the habit of looking into Gods Word, youll find a vast, deep reservoir of divine hope and strength forming for the rough times.

Roots are for supportDo you want to stand strong in the Lord? To stand firm against the pressures of life? The routine care of your roots through exposure to Gods Word will cultivate you into a remarkable woman of endurance.

Im glad youve chosen this study out of my A Woman After Gods Own Heart Bible study series. My prayer for you is that the truths you find in Gods Word through this study will further transform your life into the image of His dear Son and empower you to be the woman you seek to be: a woman after Gods own heart.

In His love,

P repare yourself to meet Jesus, the Son of Man. As you read, keep in mind that this was Jesus favorite term for Himself. Also realize this term was a prophetic reference to Messiah (see Daniel 7:13-14). As you study the Gospel of Luke, youll run across this phrase 26 times.

In addition you will enjoy many unique features in the longest of the four Gospels. For instance:

Luke recounts the miraculous birth of the forerunner, John the Baptist.

Luke alone writes of the boyhood of Jesus.

Luke gives numerous references to women not found in the other gospels. (See Appendix on p. 152.)

Luke centers more on prayer than the other Gospels.

Luke gives special emphasis to the poor.

Finally, more than half the material found in the Gospel of Luke is not in any of the other three accounts, including 9 miracles, 13 parables, and a variety of messages and events.

1. Read Luke 1:1-4. Who wrote this book of the Bible, and what was his purpose in writing this gospel?

2. Read Luke 1:5-25 concerning the first of two earth-shattering announcements. Who was the subject of the first announcement?

Who appeared to Elizabeth and Zacharias, and what was the announcement?

How did Zacharias respond, and what was the result?

Describe the ministry John would have (see also Luke 7:28).

3. Read Luke 1:26-38 concerning the second of two earth-shattering announcements. Who was the subject of the second announcement?

Note what you learn about Mary.

How did Mary respond, and what was the result?

What was prophesied to be the sign of the Saviors coming into the world in Isaiah 7:14?

What title was to be given to Jesus according to Luke 1:35?

4. Read Luke 1:39-56 and enjoy observing the sweet fellowship between two godly women. In a few words, describe their meeting.

What do you learn about Elizabeth in verse 36?

What do you learn about Mary in the following verses?

Verse 42

Verse 47

Verse 48

Verses 46-55

5. Read Luke 1:57-80 and briefly describe the events surrounding Johns birth.

When was Zachariass mouth opened (see also Luke 1:20)?

What did Zacharias prophesy about yet-to-be-born Jesus (verses 68-75)?