Luke/Acts for Beginners
Introduction to Luke/Acts
Teaching Strategy
The focus of this lesson is to introduce the gospel of Luke by looking at it in relation to the other gospels and elements of the gospel of Luke itself. This lesson further forms a foundation for the following lessons in the series and the series on the Book of Acts. Teachers and students should review the relevant materials before class.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Know: Understand how the Gospel of Luke relates to the other gospels of the New Testament.
- Feel: Value the insights into the life and teachings of Jesus as provided in the Gospel of Luke.
- Do: Apply the teachings of Jesus found in the Gospel of Luke that help us grow spiritually.
Body of the Lesson
Discussion Questions
Below are suggested questions to use during the guided discussion portion of the lesson. There are also suggested responses to questions to help students grasp the various concepts. These are provided to assist the discussion and are not considered as “right or wrong” responses.
Although each gospel gives and account of the life and teachings of Jesus written to a specific audience, anyone reading the gospels today can learn by looking at the different accounts. It gives broader and fuller insights by looking at the events from different perspectives. Although the writers may not have things in the same chronological order, they record the events without contradictions. This adds an element of proof to the truthfulness of these accounts.
There are indicators of different learning styles, cultural variances, and readability evident in each of the gospels. For example, some like the fast pace of Mark's gospel. Some like the relationship to the Old Testament from Matthew's account. Some like the general applicability found in John's account.
Some will like the method and structure of his writing. Some will like the faithfulness he exhibited as he ministered to Paul and was devoted to Jesus. Some will see value in how Luke put emphasis on service over personal fame and fortune available to him as a professional at the time he lived.
Luke gives a very detailed view of Jesus. This adds to the truthfulness of the content. Events and characters in this gospel are verifiable historically in secular accounts as well as their appearance in scripture.
Look for responses that indicate an acceptance of Luke's teachings. Other indicators may include responses that emphasis that the scope and depth of the information provide clarity of who Jesus was and what He taught.