The Gospel of Luke 1
Study Guide Questions for Ch. 1-2
If you are looking for the beginning of this study you can start HERE with the brief introduction. At the bottom of that introduction will be the links to each section of the study guide as it becomes available. For this study the English Standard Version is the translation that is being utilized and you can read it online HERE or pick up the copy of your choice from Amazon or your local book store. I find THIS EDITION to be useful for deeper study and annotation.
Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)
Barrenness, Unbelief, Faith, Joy, Appearance vs. Reality, Wilderness vs. Civilization
Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)
To whom is the Gospel of Luke formally addressed?
What is the stated purpose for writing an account of Jesus' life and ministry?
How are Zechariah and Elizabeth described by the text?
What did the angel Gabriel tell Zechariah?
What can Zechariah not do for a time after his encounter with Gabriel?
What does the text tell us about Mary’s condition which makes her conception of the Lord Jesus so miraculous?
What surprised Zechariah and Elizabeth’s friends and family about the name given to their child?
Where was Jesus born?
To whom did God choose to announce that the Savior had been born?
Which two people did Joseph and Mary meet when they brought the baby Jesus to the temple and what is told about them?
What happened when Jesus was about twelve years old?
Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)
Why might Luke refer to Theophilus as “most excellent”?
Why do you think Zechariah was rebuked for his “how” question (1:18) when Mary was not rebuked for her “how” question (1:34)?
Why would the priests of Yahweh be taking turns for temple service and be drawing lots to see who will enter the temple to burn incense?
What might be inferred from the fact that the unborn baby in Elizabeth’s womb “leaped” when Mary came to visit?
What about Luke 2:1-7 suggests that the story of the birth of Christ is no mere fairy tale?
Why is it significant that Zechariah was able to speak again once he wrote, “His name is John”? (1:62)
Why would God choose to announce the birth of Christ to shepherds rather than people of higher social standing?
The Bible tells us that “Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” Why is this important? What about this might also seem difficult to reconcile with the fact that Jesus is God in flesh (c.f John 1, et al.)? How might this difficulty be answered?
What evidence can you find throughout chapters 1 and 2 that supports the idea that Zechariah and Elizabeth, as well as Mary and Joseph, are faithful servants of Yahweh?
Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)
How important is the biblical teaching of the virgin birth of Christ? Could we “take it or leave it” or is it absolutely essential to the Christian faith? Defend your answer with Scripture and reason.
Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)
Read Matthew 1:18-25. How is this passage complementary and helpful to our current reading?
Consider the following passages: Isaiah 6:1-7; Matthew 28:1-10; Revelation 1:9-20. What do these have in common with the events of Luke Ch. 1-2? What might we learn from their point of commonality?
Read 1 Samuel 2:1-10 and compare it to Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55. What might we infer about Mary from the similarities of her song to Hannah’s?
Read Philippians 2:5-11. How does this relate to the boy Jesus in the temple in Luke 2:41-52?