Luke 2020 Lenten Study

Reading for March 3rd – Luke 1

Shane L. Bishop Two “great” birth stories are offered. The first is John who is born of God aided natural means and the second is Jesus born of supernatural means. Google: Bible birth stories. The similarities between John and Samson are worth noting. John has far more conditions attached to his birth (Google: Nazarite). Zacharias…

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Prayer for March 4th

Heavenly Father, you are so good! You bring us mercy, love, grace and peace even though we are so undeserving. You protect us when we don’t even know we need protection.  Thank you Lord for all that you give, and all that you take away. We pray that we would have hearts and spirits that…

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Reading for March 6th – Luke 3

Shane L. Bishop Google every name and place in the first two verses of Luke 3. They are all important historical markers. Note the word of God “came” and John “went.” His presence is fulfilled prophecy. He seems very Old Testament. John sounds very much like an Essene (another Google) in his preaching style. Note…

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Reading for March 7th – Luke 4

Shane L. Bishop The temptations occur in the Southern Desert around the Dead Sea. Jesus is tempted with food, power and fame. He wards off the temptations with his knowledge of scripture. This knowledge was gained as a boy. Why is teaching children Scripture essential? Note Satan departs but will return. Such are the terms…

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Leader Questions for Week 1

Questions for Luke 1 – 4 Feel free to add your own questions to your Connect Group conversations! Luke 1: What stands out to you from Luke chapter 1? Put yourself in Joseph or Mary’s shoes, how do you think you would react to an angelic message? John grew up strong in the spirit and…

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Reading for March 10th – Luke 6

Rev. Dr. Don Frazure In today’s passage, Jesus tells his disciples to love their enemies. He tells them that rather than doing to their enemies what the human heart would desire (i.e. punishment, reciprocity, holding a grudge, etc.) that they should do what seems completely counter-intuitive by instructing them to show love toward their enemies…

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Prayer for March 11th

Let the lyrics of this song be a prayer you lift before the Lord today. Alabaster Heart – Bethel Music So here it is, my alabaster heart I’m keeping nothing back from who You are No hidden treasure veiled by key or lock You’re a lifetime worth of worship And that’s only just the start…

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Leader Questions for Week 2

Questions for Luke 5 – 9 Feel free to add your own questions to your Connect Group conversations! Luke 5: In regard to the Scripture passage, do you think you would have been convinced that there was Divine Presence in Jesus, or would you have been skeptical? How have you experienced the Divine Presence of…

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Prayer for March 18th

Dear Lord, thank you for everything you have taught us through your word. We ask that you reveal the mysteries of scripture to us as we continue to seek you! Teach us how to remove the distractions of this world and to draw closer to you. Teach us how to pray, how to seek you…

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Leader Questions for Week 3

Questions for Luke 10 – 14 Feel free to add your own questions to your Connect Group conversations! Luke 10: Are you willing to pray regularly for laborers for the harvest? Are you willing to be a laborer for Christ? Are you more inclined to “be” or to “do” when it comes to your faith?…

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Prayer for March 25th

Dear Lord, we need you. We need you to be present, to be close, and to change us. Help us to become the men and women that you see us as. Help us to become the men and women who can boldly proclaim Jesus Christ as our Savior and Messiah. We pray that you would…

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Worship and Rest for March 29th

Psalm 47 Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise! For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth. He subdues the nations before us, putting our enemies beneath our feet. He chose the Promised Land as our inheritance, the proud possession of Jacob’s descendants, whom he…

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Leader Questions for Week 4

Questions for Luke 15 – 19 Feel free to add your own questions to your Connect Group conversations! Luke 15: Do you need Jesus? Moreover, do you need him the way these sinners needed him?  How do you feel when you repent? What emotions are going through your mind when you humble yourself and ask…

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Reading for March 30th – Luke 20

Shane L. Bishop Jesus’ encounters with the religious establishment can take but two paths; Jesus topples their power base or they topple Jesus. The parable of the vineyard has meaning for Christians the original audience would have missed. Remember Jesus told these things before his crucifixion and resurrection. Clearly Jesus has power as long as…

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Prayer for April 1st

Heavenly Father, we thank you for creating us. Thank you for the opportunities to create relationships that are founded in faith. Thank you for our church and the family that has been created there. We pray that you would overwhelm us with gratitude and help us to see the many blessings that you’ve poured on…

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Leader Questions for Week 5

Questions for Luke 20 – 24 Feel free to add your own questions to your Connect Group conversations! Luke 20: When you read the parable of the vineyard owner, why do you think the owner sent his son, even after his servants were killed?  The religious leaders were trying to get Jesus to justify not…

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April 6th – Holy Week Monday

Kevin Siddle For now, Jesus has the crowds on his side. He just entered the city the night before to everyone’s great delight. They see Jesus as their new King, and this makes the established religious leaders very nervous. Jesus is not the Messiah to them, but a trouble-maker. And Jesus is going to make…

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Leader Questions for Week 6

Questions for Holy Week Feel free to add your own questions to your Connect Group conversations! Palm Sunday: Can you imagine the scene of Jesus entering into Jerusalem? What do you think would be the most exciting?  What do you think the religious leaders were thinking? What about the Romans?  Knowing what we do now,…

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