Luke, Chapter 12
Image inspired by the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8). Dancer, Tessa Priem
Welcome to week twelve of Luke/Acts 2020. I'm so glad you're here! This week 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) And 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 here. Let's get started!
1) Introduction: When I began this study in 2020, 100 people initially signed up for it. I shared with them, "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 confided to the original 100, "I cannot count how many times when God's word seemed to align perfectly with my life, almost as if God planned for me to read that very verse or section at that very moment." "This is one of those times," I wrote; "I could not have planned it myself, for Luke 12 fits almost perfectly with the present struggle (the coronavirus)."
Though the year 2020 has passed, even today, Luke 12 is STILL relevant! Why? Because, in it, Jesus tells us not to worry.
Though the year 2020 has passed, even today, Luke 12 is STILL relevant! Why? Because, in it, 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: I get after my children in this recording, so I opted to redo it. However, I kept it after all because that's life!
| luke_12.m4a |
3) Explanation & Questions: In the original study, I mentioned, "Did you notice anything applicable to today? Were you comforted (or troubled) by specific verses?" I shared, "There are many instances in life when we experience the "law," when we feel like God is on our back or out to get us, or like the Evil One is prevailing." "During such times," I said, "we need the Gospel: we need to know that God is for us." In Luke 12, therefore, Jesus comforts us by sharing that we are VALUABLE to God.
For digging deeper, see my Google Doc that discusses specific verses and terms. Be sure to scroll down to page 15 for Chapter Twelve.
For digging deeper, see my Google Doc that discusses specific verses and terms. Be sure to scroll down to page 15 for Chapter Twelve.
4) Hymn: Here's the hymn "Lord, It Belongs Not to My Care." You can click to listen, and the lyrics are below.
| 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.
Note: I chose this hymn because, at the start of the virus, we didn't know how deadly it might be.
5) Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for declaring that we shouldn't fear and for letting us know that we mean so much to you (you know everything about us!). Help us to confess Your Son, especially when the opportunity arises. We pray, like those in the original study: "Dear Lord, we know you'll provide for our needs, so may we not worry. We ask that you guide us so that we follow your word every day of our lives, and may we be comforted by your tremendous, unfailing love for us." In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Disclaimer: I should mention that 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!
