
CHECK IN
What did you sense Jesus inviting you into as you read Luke 1-2 and practiced the daily rhythm?
BIBLE
Read Luke 3:1-20 together. As part of this time, consider reading Luke 3:1-6 as a Lectio Divina exercise.
THIS WEEK’S READING: LUKE 3-5
These chapters jump ahead to the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius. Luke names the high priest, the governor and “rulers” of the regions. Luke is giving a subtle hint to the social and political setting of the coming events. Like Mark and Matthew, Luke includes the “preparing” way of John the Baptist, including some of his teaching. All of this prepares the landscape for Jesus to begin his public ministry. Notice how in Luke’s genealogy, Jesus’s lineage is traced back not to a Jewish leader or hero, but to God. God has been at work from the beginning. Jesus’ temptation is followed by his proclamation of his mission. Luke 4:18-19 is Jesus’ mission for everyone … and he is rejected for it. The stories to follow in this section will show how Jesus will fulfill his mission of being “good news to the poor”. The “poor” here is describing anyone low in status financially, socially, or religiously. Jesus illustrates who he is for by enduring the rejection they faced. Jesus is familiar with the human emotions that we try to run from.
GUIDING QUESTIONS:
Why does it feel like our temptations disqualify us from the mission?
In what ways would we consider ourselves poor and rejected? What does it mean if we can’t relate?
Jesus said He came for the sinners, not the righteous. However, no one is righteous in the sight of God. What was Jesus trying to say in Luke 5:31?
PRACTICING LECTIO DIVINA | LUKE 4:14-21
FIRST READING (HEAD)
Slowly read the passage of Scripture that you have selected. As you do so, pay attention to any word, phrase, or idea that catches your attention. Then, pause for a moment, keeping that word, phrase, or idea in view.
What did you notice?
SECOND READING (HEART)
Read the passage again, and then pause to dwell on the word, phrase, or idea that captured your attention. What thoughts come to mind as you meditate on the word, phrase, or idea? What do you feel? What does the word, phrase or idea have to say to your current reality? What might
God be inviting you into through it?
THIRD READING (HANDS)
Read the passage once more and begin to converse with God about what you have encountered. Tell God the word, phrase, or idea that captured your attention and what came to mind as you meditated upon it. Listen for how God might be using the word, phrase, or idea to bless and form you. Finally, pay attention to how God might be directing you to respond to what you’ve encountered during this experience. What is Jesus saying to you, and what are you going to do about it?