Luke, Chapter 12
Image inspired by the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8). Dancer, Tessa Priem
Welcome to week twelve of Luke/Acts 2020. Our structure is the same as Week Eleven: 1) I give an introduction to the reading. 2) There's a recording of me reading the chapter. 3) Followed by questions and an explanation. 4) I'll post a hymn that you can read. 5) We'll close with a prayer. Easy-peasy! If you have a Bible, great. Open it to Luke, chapter twelve. If not, you can find Luke chapter twelve online. Let's get started!
1) Introduction: Here are the original words I wrote in 2020 for this chapter, preparing it for a 100 people, who signed up for this study. I penned, "In the event that many others get a chance to do this Bible study someday, I want to mention that . . . Luke 12 is being prepared during the coronavirus outbreak."
I wrote, "I cannot count how many times in my life when God's word seemed to align perfectly with my life experience, almost as if God planned for me to read that very verse or text at that very moment." "This is one of those times," I wrote. "I could not have planned this myself, for Luke 12 fits almost perfectly with the present struggle."
Even today, dear reader, Luke 12 is relevant, for Jesus tells us not to worry.
I wrote, "I cannot count how many times in my life when God's word seemed to align perfectly with my life experience, almost as if God planned for me to read that very verse or text at that very moment." "This is one of those times," I wrote. "I could not have planned this myself, for Luke 12 fits almost perfectly with the present struggle."
Even today, dear reader, Luke 12 is relevant, for Jesus tells us not to worry.
2) Recording: Here's a recording of Luke, chapter twelve. You can click and listen, or read along. Note: in it, I get after my children. Though I opted to redo it, I kept the recording because that's life.
| luke_12.m4a |
3) Explanation & Questions: I asked, "Did you notice anything that's particularly applicable to today? Were you comforted or troubled by specific verses? In previous weeks, I've mentioned Law & Gospel, and how I would like to unpack those terms. This is the week for doing that!" I said. "We're experiencing "law" right now as we struggle with the potential devastation from this disease."
I shared, "There are many instances in life when we experience "law," feeling like God is on our back, out to get us, or like the Evil One is prevailing. During such times, it's vital to have the Gospel -- comfort, good news -- to know that God is for us."
In Luke 12, dear reader, Jesus provides direction on how we are to live, and his words of compassion give us the courage to listen and follow.
I concluded, "While Luke's words were penned LONG ago, by a doctor himself who surely witnessed ailments, this Gospel has the utmost relevance. For, Luke records the very words of Christ which can guide us today." For digging deeper, see my Google Doc that discusses specific verses and terms. Be sure to scroll down to Chapter Twelve on page 15.
I shared, "There are many instances in life when we experience "law," feeling like God is on our back, out to get us, or like the Evil One is prevailing. During such times, it's vital to have the Gospel -- comfort, good news -- to know that God is for us."
In Luke 12, dear reader, Jesus provides direction on how we are to live, and his words of compassion give us the courage to listen and follow.
I concluded, "While Luke's words were penned LONG ago, by a doctor himself who surely witnessed ailments, this Gospel has the utmost relevance. For, Luke records the very words of Christ which can guide us today." For digging deeper, see my Google Doc that discusses specific verses and terms. Be sure to scroll down to Chapter Twelve on page 15.
4) Hymn: Here's the hymn "Lord, It Belongs Not to My Care." Click to listen, and the lyrics are below if you'd like to read.
| lord_it_belongs_not_to_my_care.m4a |
Lord, it belongs not to my care
Whether I die or live;
To love and serve Thee is my share,
And this Thy grace must give.
If life be long, I will be glad
That I may long obey;
If short, yet why should I be sad
To soar to endless day?
Christ leads me through no darker rooms
Than He went through before;
He that unto God's kingdom comes
Must enter by this door.
Come, Lord, when grace has made me meet
Thy blessed face to see;
For if Thy work on earth be sweet,
What will Thy glory be!
Then shall I end my sad complaints
And weary, sinful days
And join with the triumphant saints
Who sing my Savior's praise.
My knowledge of that life is small,
The eye of faith is dim;
But 'tis enough that Christ knows all,
And I shall be with Him.
Whether I die or live;
To love and serve Thee is my share,
And this Thy grace must give.
If life be long, I will be glad
That I may long obey;
If short, yet why should I be sad
To soar to endless day?
Christ leads me through no darker rooms
Than He went through before;
He that unto God's kingdom comes
Must enter by this door.
Come, Lord, when grace has made me meet
Thy blessed face to see;
For if Thy work on earth be sweet,
What will Thy glory be!
Then shall I end my sad complaints
And weary, sinful days
And join with the triumphant saints
Who sing my Savior's praise.
My knowledge of that life is small,
The eye of faith is dim;
But 'tis enough that Christ knows all,
And I shall be with Him.
5) Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for warning your disciples to be aware of hypocrisy; please help us not to be hypocritical ourselves. Thank you for declaring we shouldn't fear and that we mean so much to you (you know everything about us!). Help us to confess Your Son, especially when the opportunity arises, and to be about kingdom work. We pray, as in the original: "during this challenging time, we know you'll provide for our needs, so may we not worry, and, as the parable highlights, may we be ready when you come back. Until then, guide us in following your word every day of our lives, whether healthy or sick, being comforted by your tremendous, unfailing love for us." In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Disclaimer: I should mention I do not have copyright permission regarding the particular Bible I'm using. I'm reading an ESV edition in this recording. Most of the hymns I choose are in the public domain.
If you'd like to follow me and learn more about what I do, especially dance-wise, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. If you'd like to know about my solo dance show or read my bio, click here (you can learn about my life story danced out)! I'm also writing my autobiography, and you can read about that journey. Most of all, I look forward to you studying the books of Luke and Acts and learning about Jesus. Enjoy.
If you'd like to follow me and learn more about what I do, especially dance-wise, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. If you'd like to know about my solo dance show or read my bio, click here (you can learn about my life story danced out)! I'm also writing my autobiography, and you can read about that journey. Most of all, I look forward to you studying the books of Luke and Acts and learning about Jesus. Enjoy.
