Luke, Chapter 15
Welcome to week fifteen of Luke/Acts 2020. My name is Tessa Priem, and I'm a solo dance artist. I'm also a mommy who studied theology. Thus, for the year of 2020, we're doing a year-long Bible Study. This week, our structure is the same as week fourteen: 1) I give an introduction to the reading, 2) there's a recording of me reading the chapter, 3) followed by questions & an explanation; 4) I'll post a hymn that you can read if you'd like, and 5) we'll close with a prayer. If you have a Bible, please open it to Luke, chapter fifteen. If not, you can find Luke fifteen online. Let's get started! And if you have questions or thoughts at the end, leave a comment or send me an email. Many blessings!
1) Introduction: In chapter 14, we read about Jesus dining at a ruler of the Pharisees' house. After he left the house, crowds of people followed him, and he told the people how being a proclaimer of the Good News was not an easy job. About this same time, tax collectors and sinners approached him, and Jesus proclaimed some powerful parables loaded with Gospel. Let's take a look.
2) Recording: Here is a recording of Luke, chapter fifteen. You can listen to it and follow along, or simply read the chapter on your own.
| luke_15.m4a |
3) Explanation & Questions: What did you think of this chapter? What was your favorite parable, and why? Do you recall how Jesus called Matthew, the tax collector (Luke 5:27-32). I'm not sure if Jesus had been eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors here, in this instance, but he was accused of doing so (v 2). Even after he was baptized and tempted in the wilderness, right after his ministry began, he was rejected in his hometown (Luke 4:16-30). In chapter six, the scribes and Pharisees were upset with him after he healed a man (6:6-11). All along, they questioned what he did (7:39, 10:25 & 29, 11:15 & 38, 13:14). Likewise, as Luke, the physician, recorded in chapter 15, the Pharisees and scribes were again upset; they didn't like how Jesus behaved around sinners. To dig into Jesus' parables, see our Digging Deeper section. Be sure to scroll down to chapter fifteen.
4) Hymn: Here is the hymn "Earth and All Stars." The lyrics are below if you'd like to sing along :)
| earth_and_all_stars.m4a |
Earth and all stars! Loud rushing planets!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Oh victory! Loud shouting army!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
He has done marvelous things.
I too will praise Him with a new song!
Hail, wind, and rain! Loud blowing snowstorm!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Flowers and trees! Loud rustling dry leaves!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
He has done marvelous things.
I too will praise Him with a new song!
Trumpet and pipes! Loud clashing cymbals!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Harp, lute, and lyre! Loud humming cellos!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
He has done marvelous things.
I too will praise Him with a new song!
Children of God, Dying and rising,
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Heaven and earth, Hosts everlasting,
Sing to the Lord a new song!
He has done marvelous things.
I too will praise Him with a new song!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Oh victory! Loud shouting army!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
He has done marvelous things.
I too will praise Him with a new song!
Hail, wind, and rain! Loud blowing snowstorm!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Flowers and trees! Loud rustling dry leaves!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
He has done marvelous things.
I too will praise Him with a new song!
Trumpet and pipes! Loud clashing cymbals!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Harp, lute, and lyre! Loud humming cellos!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
He has done marvelous things.
I too will praise Him with a new song!
Children of God, Dying and rising,
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Heaven and earth, Hosts everlasting,
Sing to the Lord a new song!
He has done marvelous things.
I too will praise Him with a new song!
5) Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for being willing to eat with sinners and tax collectors. Thank you for telling these parables that contain so much good news. Thank you for having a heart for broken people. Please help us to remain repentant, and we ask for your guidance and protection throughout these days. May our lives be a reflection of you. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Disclaimer: I should mention I do not have copyright permission regarding the particular Bible I'm using. I am reading an ESV edition in this recording. The majority of hymns I choose are in the public domain as this one is, and I reference the Lutheran Service Book a lot. I will be posting these devotions each Friday, throughout the year 2020. May they be a blessing to you. If you'd like to follow me and learn more about what I do, especially dance-wise, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram & YouTube. Enjoy the journey! Have a wonderful week. -Tessa
P.S. If you'd like to learn about my solo dance show, click here. It's my life story danced out. I am also currently writing my autobiography, and you can read some of it here.
P.S. If you'd like to learn about my solo dance show, click here. It's my life story danced out. I am also currently writing my autobiography, and you can read some of it here.
