DAILY READING NOTES - EV Churchevchurch.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2015_T1-Luke... · of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. ... He was likely a medical doctor. Tradition

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DAILY READING NOTES TERM 1, 2015

Week Passage

1 Luke 19:45-21:4

2 Luke 21:5-38

3 Luke 22:1-38

4 Luke 22:39-65

5 Luke 22:66-23:25

6 Luke 23:26-43

7 Luke 23:44-56

8 Luke 24:1-35

9 Luke 24:36-53

We want to encourage each other to be on mission to our non-Christian friends, family and contacts.

Make a list and start praying for them (and yourself).

Pray for three friends, once a week, for one minute (3-1-1).

List the names of your family and friends here:

WHO ARE YOU ON MISSION TO?

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HOW TO USE THIS BOOK:1. Personal Reading

� Use this guide to help you read your Bible every day.

� Scribble down your thoughts and questions each day, and remember to pray and ask God to speak to you by His Spirit, through His Word.

2. Growth Groups � Take this guide with you to your growth group each week so you

can write down prayer points that come from the study that week and prayer requests from the members of your group.

� Let your group know who you are on mission to.

3. Church � Keep this guide with your Bible and bring it with you to church.

� Scribble down sermon notes in the space provided.

SCANDALOUS by D. A. CarsonD. A. Carson introduces the irony, scandal, and greatness of the work done by Jesus on the cross.

How are Christians to approach the central gospel teachings about the death and resurrection of Jesus? The Bible firmly establishes that these events are historical and doesn’t leave their meanings open to interpretation. Even so, there is an irony and surprising strangeness to the cross. Carson shows that this strange irony

has deep implications for our lives as he examines the history and theology of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. By looking at five primary passages of Scripture, Carson helps us to more fully understand and appreciate the scandal of the cross.

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INTRODUCTION LUKE’S GOSPEL

Luke’s gospel is about God’s eternal plan being revealed in all fullness in Jesus.

In fulfillment of the Old Testament, God has sent His Son, Christ the Lord, the great prophet and servant, to establish God’s Kingdom and save all who will follow Him. And this offer of salvation is for all people, whether Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, man or woman. However, it is especially for those who are the outcasts, the poor, the widows, the tax collectors and the Gentiles; all who are in the best position to receive the message of hope, because they know they need it and are willing to rely on God for their salvation. And as they respond by following Jesus they become part of Jesus’ new community, the Church. But at the same time, there are many (especially among the nation of Israel) who reject Jesus as the Messiah and so stand in opposition to Him and His people.

Luke’s gospel was likely written in the early to mid-60’s AD. While the author of Luke’s gospel is not mentioned, we do know from the Bible that the person who wrote it and the book of Acts (see Acts 1:1-3) was not an eyewitness to the events of Jesus’ ministry (see Luke 1:1-3), and was a travelling companion of the Apostle Paul (which can be seen by the sections in Acts where the author says “we” indicating that he was with Paul at these times). This leaves a small number of potential candidates for the writing of the book: the main possibilities are Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Timothy, Titus, Silas, Epaphras, Barnabas and Luke. This is all the evidence we can gather from the Bible. However, the early church unanimously attributed the books of Luke and Acts to Luke (Colossians 4:14) from the earliest times. Luke was a sometime-companion of Paul. He was likely a medical doctor. Tradition tells us that he was from Syrian Antioch, which was possibly the case. He was likely a Gentile, although whether Syrian or Greco-Roman is unclear. Tradition indicates he lived a long time.

Luke’s gospel has two unique features: it is the longest of the accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry, and it is the only gospel that has a sequel, the book of Acts.

Luke writes his gospel to Theophilus (see Luke 1:1-4), who seems to be a Gentile and a man of rank who has associated himself with the church but has doubts. The church is racially mixed and experiencing tension between Jew and Gentile – the Jewish community is hostile to the followers of Jesus and there is strong persecution. This raises questions for Theophilus about the place of the Gentiles in God’s plan and purposes, about God’s faithfulness to the Jews and about the persecution that faced the early church.

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Luke writes to give Theophilus assurance by dealing with these issues. He takes Theophilus through the life and ministry of Jesus to show how God has worked to show Jesus is the Christ who brings hope. Luke also defends God’s faithfulness to Israel. It is not God who has rejected Israel, but Israel who has rejected God by rejecting Jesus. Luke makes clear that the gospel is open to all, Jew and Gentile. The offer of the gospel calls Theophilus to remain faithful and committed even in the midst of Jewish rejection and persecution. Luke’s gospel is not for Theophilus alone, but for all who have similar questions. Any Gentile feeling out of place in the new church could find assurance in Luke’s gospel. And any Jew troubled by the large Jewish rejection of the gospel and positive response of many Gentiles to the gospel could be assured of God’s faithfulness in Luke’s writing. Any person who wants to know how to respond rightly to the Christ and follow Him can find the answer within the pages of this Gospel.

A Basic Outline of Luke’s Gospel:1. Luke’s preface (1:1-4)

2. Introduction of John and Jesus (Luke 1:5-2:52)

3. Preparation for Jesus’ ministry: anointed by God (Luke 3:1-4:13)

4. Galilean ministry: revelation of Jesus (Luke 4:14-9:50)

5. Journey to Jerusalem: Jewish rejection and the new way (Luke 9:51-19:44)

6. Jerusalem: the Innocent One killed and raised (Luke 19:45-24:53)

LUKE 20-24: IT IS WRITTENThese final chapters of Luke’s Gospel make plain that Jesus’ death is no accident. He is not the victim of forces outside His control. No, the perfectly innocent one goes to His death in willing obedience to His Father (see Luke 9:21-22, 44, 51; 13:32-33; 18:31-33; 22:37; 24:44, 46-47). He is in total control; nothing takes Him by surprise. For He is fulfilling what has been written about Him in the Old Testament Scriptures. He is fulfilling the eternal plan of God – that He would suffer, rise from the dead, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His Name to all nations.

It is written…

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Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem, the destination to which He has been heading. It is here that He knows He must be rejected by the Jewish religious leaders, suffer and die. This final week of Jesus’ life is filled with opposition, as the religious leaders question Jesus’ authority and try to trap him in something He says.

DAY 1Read Luke 19:45-20:81. Why is Jesus so angry when He comes to the temple? (see Isaiah 56:1-8

and Jeremiah 7:11)

2. How does Jesus’ question to the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law in verse 3 answer the question they had asked Him?

3. Why can they not answer Jesus’ question and what does this show?

4. How might you live today in such a way that shows you think Jesus’ authority is from heaven?

Prayer: Pray that the Lord would draw you and many you know to live willingly and joyfully under the authority of Jesus in all things.

WEEK 1 LUKE 19:45-21:4

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DAY 2Read Luke 20:9-191. This parable is filled with symbolism, with many of the people and things

in the parable representing people and things in real life (the vineyard (see Isaiah 5:1-7), the owner, the tenants, the fruit, the servants, and the son). What do they represent?

2. In verse 16, why are the people so shocked by what Jesus has said?

3. What warning does Jesus give in verses 17-18, and how do we see this happening even today?

Prayer: Pray that the Lord would be gracious and save people in Australia and in the country of your mission partner from continuing in rejection of Jesus.

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DAY 3Read Luke 20:20-261. What do verses 20-21 show humans are capable of?

2. How is the spies’ question a trap, and how does Jesus’ answer avoid falling into it?

3. What does Jesus answer teach you about:

a. How you should relate to human authorities over you?

b. How you should relate to God’s authority? (see also Romans 13:1-7)

WEEK 1 LUKE 19:45-21:4

Prayer: As you think about how you relate to both human authority and God’s authority, what do you need to ask forgiveness for? Do that now.

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DAY 4Read Luke 20:27-40The Sadducees were a sect within Judaism who did not believe in the resurrection, the afterlife or the spiritual world (angels and demons). They also only held the first five books of the Old Testament to be from God.

1. What are the Sadducees trying to prove with their long question?

2. In verses 34-36, what does Jesus say the age to come will be like for those who are children of the resurrection, and what does this teach us about how we should treat our marriages?

3. In verses 37-38, how does Jesus prove there is a resurrection of the dead?

Prayer: Give thanks for our certain hope in the resurrection of the dead. Pray that you might live for that age rather than the present one.

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WEEK 1 LUKE 19:45-21:4

DAY 5Read Luke 20:41-21:41. In verses 41-44, what point is Jesus making from the Psalm, and how

does He make it?

2. What does the way Jesus uses the Old Testament in verses 37-38 and 41-44 teach us about His view of the Bible?

3. Looking at Luke 20:45-21:4, how is it possible to wrongly evaluate people’s lives? Whose evaluation ultimately matters?

Prayer: Pray that more and more you would live for the praise of the Lord Jesus.

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PRAYER POINTS AND NOTES

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WEEK 2 LUKE 21:5-38

DAY 1Read Luke 21:5-111. Why would Jesus’ remark about the temple have been shocking to

the disciples?

2. What things should we expect before the end comes?

3. What warnings are the disciples given in these verses, and how is this a warning for us too?

Prayer: Pray that the Lord would enable you to wait faithfully for His coming and not be deceived by rumours or imposters.

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DAY 2Read Luke 21:12-191. What do these verses say we should expect before Christ returns?

2. How does Jesus say His disciples are to respond to persecution? How do you respond when persecuted or ridiculed for your faith?

3. In light of verses 16 and 19, what do you think verse 18 is promising? When facing persecution or even death, where should our focus be?

Prayer: Pray that the Lord would make you, and Christians being persecuted around the world today, bold under persecution. Give thanks that the Lord keeps His people safe for eternal life.

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WEEK 2 LUKE 21:5-38

Prayer: Pray that the Lord would etch the realities of Jesus’ return, final judgment, heaven and hell in our minds and hearts so that we would live rightly in this short age.

DAY 3Read Luke 21:20-33Often when Jesus speaks about the apocalyptic events of his second coming, He weaves in with them a description of the destruction of Jerusalem (which takes place in 70AD). The destruction of Jerusalem functions as a paradigm or picture of the second coming of Jesus.

1. From verses 20-24, what will happen to Jerusalem and how is this a picture of the end?

2. From verses 25-31, what will it be like at the end?

3. If we kept this reality constantly in mind, how might it influence the way we think and live?

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Prayer: Pray that the Lord would protect you from being weighed down by carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life. Ask for forgiveness for the ways in which you have been weighed down by these things.

DAY 4Read Luke 21:34-381. As this universal judgment (verse 35) draws near, what are the big

dangers for followers of Jesus?

2. How can you make sure you are able to stand before the Son of Man?

3. Why do you think Jesus left Jerusalem each evening?

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Prayer: What might you ask the Lord for in light of your answers to questions 2 and 3 above? Pray about these things.

WEEK 2 LUKE 21:5-38

DAY 5Read Luke 21:5-381. When Jesus returns, what things will pass away and what things

will remain?

2. If this is the case, how should we live in light of the end?

3. Are you looking forward to Jesus’ final coming? Why/why not?

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Prayer: Pray that the Lord would enable you to live in light of both the truth that there are active evil spiritual forces seeking to draw you into evil and the truth that you are responsible to resist temptation.

WEEK 3 LUKE 22:1-38

DAY 1Read Luke 22:1-61. What problem are the chief priests and teachers of the law facing, and

what solution presents itself?

2. Considering Satan’s involvement, does this mean either that Judas is not responsible for his actions, or that Jesus’ arrest is outside God’s control? (See Luke 22:5-6, 22, 48; John 12:4-6 and John 18:31-34.)

3. What then do you think it means that “Satan entered Judas”?

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Prayer: Give thanks that God has worked throughout the history of Israel to help you understand Jesus’ death. Ask the Lord to continually remind you of your redemption from sin.

DAY 2Read Luke 22:7-231. What was the Passover Feast and why was it given to the Jews by God?

(See Exodus 12:17-28.)

2. What do you think it means that the Passover will find “fulfilment in the Kingdom of God” (verse 16)?

3. Using the symbols of bread and wine, what is Jesus teaching about His death? How is it connected with the Passover meal?

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WEEK 3 LUKE 22:1-38

Prayer: Give thanks that Jesus sacrificially served us to bring us salvation. Pray that the Lord might work in your heart to grow your willingness to humbly love and serve others at expense to yourself.

DAY 3Read Luke 22:24-301. When do you find yourself, like the disciples here, concerned with your

importance or position?

2. What, however, is to be the way of those who follow Jesus? In what areas could you work on this?

3. What does Jesus say will be the reward for His apostles? What reward will there be for those who stand by Jesus?

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Prayer: Give thanks that Jesus, the Innocent One, was numbered among the transgressors for us so that we can be forgiven for all the times we fail.

DAY 4Read Luke 22:31-381. What do verses 31-34 teach you about Satan, Jesus, temptation, prayer

and sin?

2. What is Jesus’ talk of purses, bags and swords meant to indicate is taking place?

3. Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12. What does Jesus’ reference to this passage in Luke 22:37 reveal about what He is about to do?

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WEEK 3 LUKE 22:1-38

Prayer: Give thanks that at this darkest of hours, Jesus was in total control and moving towards His intended purpose. Pray that His sovereign control over your life circumstances might give you comfort and confidence.

DAY 5Read Luke 22:1-381. When you read this passage as a whole, what do you think is the

dominant tone?

2. As Jesus’ arrest looms closer, there are a number of key players involved. However, what is clear about Jesus and His purpose?

3. How does this knowledge help you in difficult or uncertain times?

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Prayer : Ask God that He would enable you to grasp the magnitude of what it cost Jesus to die for you. Think about this some more. Give thanks.

WEEK 4 LUKE 22:39-65

DAY 1Read Luke 22:39-461. Why is Jesus so fearful of a cup? (See Luke 22:42, 44 and

Isaiah 51:17-22.)

2. What answer is Jesus willing to receive to His prayer, and what does He receive? What does this teach us about prayer, and what does this teach us about Jesus’ mission?

3. What do the actions of the disciples highlight about Jesus, and how is this a comfort to you?

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Prayer: Give thanks for Jesus’ resoluteness, control and courage in the face of those whose hour is when darkness reigns.

DAY 2Read Luke 22:47-531. When you compare Jesus’ actions to those of everyone else in this

scene, what do you notice? How is this a help to you in times of difficulty or distress?

2. What do Jesus’ words to Judas indicate about the scope of the tragedy that is taking place? (See also Daniel 7:13-14.)

3. What does the nature of Jesus’ arrest highlight about Jesus and what does it highlight about the religious leaders?

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DAY 3Read Luke 22:54-621. What motivates Peter’s actions in this scene? When do you find yourself

acting from a similar motive?

2. Have you ever behaved like Peter and denied Jesus under pressure? How might you prepare yourself so you might bear witness to Jesus in the future when you are faced with pressure situations?

3. Where is there hope for frail people like Peter and us? (See Luke 24:36-49.)


Prayer: Pray for forgiveness for the times when you have denied Jesus under pressure, or failed to speak up for Him when the opportunity arose. Pray that God would enable you to bear witness to Jesus in all circumstances and not be ashamed of Him.

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Prayer: Give thanks that Jesus was willingly humiliated and mocked for you. Pray that you would treat Jesus with the honour He deserves.

DAY 4Read Luke 22:63-711. How do the guards and the Jewish religious leaders treat Jesus, and

how is it similar to the way Jesus is treated by many in Australia today?

2. What are the religious leaders trying to get Jesus to confess, and why?

3. Who is Jesus claiming to be in verse 69? (See Daniel 7:13-14 and Psalm 110.)

4. If this is the case, how should they have treated Jesus, and how should we treat Him today?

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Prayer : What might you praise Jesus for? Spend time praising Him.

DAY 5Read Luke 22:39-71Looking through this passage we see that this is a time of great anguish and danger for Jesus.

1. How do Jesus’ enemies act towards Him?

2. How do Jesus’ friends behave in His time of need?

3. What things stand out about Jesus’ person and character at this terrible time?

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Prayer: When it comes to the motives of your family and friends with regard to Jesus, what might you pray for them? Pray about this.

WEEK 5 LUKE 22:66-23:25

DAY 1Read Luke 22:66-23:71. How accurate are the charges that are brought against Jesus in verses

2 and 5, and what is the motive behind them?

2. Why do you think Pilate sends Jesus to Herod?

3. When it comes to dealing with Jesus, what motives do you see in your family and friends?

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Prayer: Pray for the people of our world, that they would come to unity in Christ rather than unity in opposition to Christ.

DAY 2Read Luke 23:8-121. Why do you think Jesus is silent before Herod?

2. How do Herod and his soldiers treat Jesus?

3. What is it that brings Herod and Pilate together in friendship, and what does this show about our world?

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WEEK 5 LUKE 22:66-23:25

Prayer: “Because the sinless saviour died, my sinful soul is counted free. For God the just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me.” Praise God for this truth.

DAY 3Read Luke 23:13-251. What is made abundantly clear about Jesus in this passage? (See verses

4, 14-16, 20-22 and 24.)

2. Read Isaiah 53:7-9. How does Jesus fulfil this part of the prophecy about the suffering servant?

3. Why is Jesus’ innocence so important to your salvation?

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Prayer: Pray that the message of Jesus as the innocent substitute who takes the place of guilty sinners would spread across our nation and cut though people’s hostility or indifference to God.

DAY 4Read Luke 23:13-251. What do we see here regarding human justice?

2. In what way is what happens with Jesus and Barabbas a picture of our salvation?

3. What does the crowds’ attitude to Jesus show about humanity’s attitude to God in general?

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WEEK 5 LUKE 22:66-23:25

Prayer: Praise your Heavenly Father for His Son.

DAY 5Read Luke 22:66-23:251. What attitudes towards Jesus are evident in this account?

2. What is your attitude to Jesus, and how has it changed over the years?

3. Imagine what it would have been like to be Jesus in these verses. How does this grow your admiration and love of Him?

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Prayer: Give thanks for what impresses you the most about Jesus, and ask God to make you more like Him.


DAY 1Read Luke 23:26-431. How do each of the people or groups in this passage respond to Jesus,

and how does Jesus respond to them?

2. What picture of Jesus do you think emerges from this passage?

3. What impresses you the most about Him?

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DAY 2Read Luke 23:26-391. In what way are Jesus’ words to the women surprising, and what is He

trying to tell them?

2. Read Psalm 22. This Psalm, written about 1,000 years before Jesus’ birth, is ultimately about the crucifixion of Jesus the Messiah. In what ways do you see this when you compare it to Luke’s account?

3. What does this remind us about Jesus’ crucifixion?

Prayer: Give thanks for God’s plan of salvation that has been building through all of history and for His Old Testament Word in which He spoke about the coming of His salvation long before it came to pass.

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DAY 3Read Luke 23:32-391. What irony is there in the words of the people and of the sign?

2. If you were Jesus, how might you have responded to the ridicule of the soldiers and leaders?

3. How is Jesus’ response to them shocking, and what does this remind us about Him?

Prayer: Give thanks that God’s Messiah, the King of the Jews, came that first time to bring forgiveness rather than give us what we deserve for our mistreatment of Him. Pray for the salvation of the Central Coast.

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Prayer: Reflect again on what it cost Jesus to save you. Give thanks and pray for the salvation of your family and friends.

DAY 4Read Luke 23:32-431. Why do you think there is such an emphasis on Jesus being executed

with criminals? (See also Isaiah 53:7-12.)

2. As the soldiers and religious leaders mock Jesus, they challenge Him again and again to save Himself. Why doesn’t Jesus save Himself?

3. When you think about how you have treated God, what is astounding about Jesus’ refusal to save Himself?

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Prayer: Give thanks that the Lord sent His Son to save sinners like you. Pray that vast numbers of sinners across our globe might be saved.

DAY 5Read Luke 23:32-431. What does the second criminal show about what you need to do to be

right with God?

2. How does this episode smash what most people think about how people come to be right with God?

3. How could you use this account in a conversation with someone who thinks like this?

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Prayer: Give thanks for the access to God that Jesus has won for you by His death. Make the most of this access by spending time in prayer.


DAY 1Read Luke 23:44-49A number of supernatural events take place around the death of Jesus.

1. What might the darkness indicate about the nature of Jesus’ death? (Compare with Zephaniah 1:14-18.)

2. What do you think is the significance of the temple curtain tearing?

3. See Hebrews 10:19-22. What would not be possible for you apart from the death of Jesus?

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Prayer: Give thanks for Jesus’ trust in His Father and God. Pray that you might have that same sort of trust.

DAY 2Read Luke 23:44-491. What does Jesus’ final prayer show about Him?

2. In His final prayer, Jesus speaks words from Psalm 31:5, showing that the whole Psalm was on Jesus’ mind as He died.

Read Psalm 31. What is the attitude of David in this Psalm, and how is it like Jesus’ attitude in death?

3. From what you have seen in Luke’s Gospel so far, how are these events the fulfilment of what Jesus has come to do? (See Luke 1:68-79; 15:1-24 and 19:10.)

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Prayer: What might you pray for your friends and family? Pray for them now.

DAY 3Read Luke 23:44-491. What different reactions are there to Jesus’ death among those present?

2. What do their reactions show they think has taken place?

3. What is your response to Jesus death? What about the response of your friends and family?

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Prayer: Ask the Lord to make you bold to honour Jesus, even when everyone else is in opposition.

DAY 4Read Luke 23:50-561. Why do you think Luke included verses 49 and 55 in his account?

2. What do we learn about Joseph of Arimathea in these verses, and what does this show about the Council?

3. How could you be more like Joseph?

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Prayer: Pray that the Lord would continually enable you to grasp more deeply the meaning, power and emotion of the cross.

DAY 5Read Luke 23:44-561. Why has the cross become such a symbol of Christianity?

2. What is the connection between Jesus’ death and people’s salvation?

3. If Luke’s Gospel finished at the end of chapter 23 and Jesus remained dead, what would it mean?

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Prayer: Pray that God would give you great confidence that Jesus is risen.

WEEK 8 LUKE 24:1-35

DAY 1Read Luke 24:1-121. What evidence is there that Jesus has risen from the dead?

2. Why do you think the disciples found it so hard to believe Jesus had risen from the dead, and what does this tell us?

3. Why is it so important to be certain Jesus has risen from the dead? Are you? Why/why not?

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Prayer: What do you look forward to most about your resurrection? Give thanks and pray that God would stir you more and more deeply with this hope.

DAY 2Read Luke 24:1-12 and 1 Corinthians 15:12-341. According to these passages, what does Jesus’ resurrection mean

for us?

2. What does Jesus’ resurrection tell us about the nature of the universe?

3. What would you say to someone who said Jesus didn’t rise from the dead?

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DAY 3Read Luke 24:13-271. What does the description of Jesus given by the two travellers to Jesus

tell us about their understanding of Him?

2. What has been their response to the women’s story, and what does this show?

3. According to Jesus, how is it they should have known about Jesus’ resurrection, and what does this teach us about the Old Testament?

WEEK 8 LUKE 24:1-35

Prayer: Pray that as you read the Old Testament, the Lord would teach you more and more how it is all about Jesus.

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Prayer: Confess your sins to God. Give thanks that in Jesus there is complete forgiveness and a restored relationship with God.

DAY 4Read Luke 24:1-351. Looking at verse 12, why is it significant that Peter is here? (See

Luke 22:31-34 and 54-62.)

2. What does Jesus’ appearance to Simon (Peter) in verse 34 indicate has taken place in their relationship?

3. How is this a comfort to you in your weaknesses and failings?

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Prayer: Thank God for His Word. Pray that every time you read it, God would open your eyes to understand it.

WEEK 8 LUKE 24:1-35

DAY 5Read Luke 24:28-351. Why do you think the two disciples on the road to Emmaus failed to

recognise Jesus at first?

2. How might their ability to not see, and then see, be a picture of something deeper?

3. How were these two disciples affected by having God’s Word opened to them by Jesus?

4. Is this your experience of the Word of God?

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Prayer: Pray that you would have a deep confidence in Jesus’ resurrection, and that that would give you a deep confidence in your own resurrection.


DAY 1Read Luke 24:36-491. Imagine you are one of the twelve apostles. How do you think you would

have been feeling over the course of the events in chapter 24?

2. From this passage, what does the disciples’ first reaction indicate about them and about these events?

3. How does Jesus show that He really has risen?

4. Is believing that Jesus rose from the dead as important as believing that He died for our sins? Why/why not?

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DAY 2Read Luke 24:36-491. Why does Jesus need to open the disciples’ minds?

2. When people in Jesus’ day spoke of the law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms they were referring to the Old Testament. What does Jesus say is written about Him in the Old Testament?

3. Which bits have been fulfilled, and which bits are yet to be fulfilled?

4. How does knowing that verse 47 is part of the eternal plan and purpose of God encourage or challenge you as you play your part in this mission?

Prayer: Ask God to help you as you take part in seeing repentance and forgiveness of sins being preached to the nations.

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Prayer: Pray that by His Spirit, the Lord might equip you to faithfully bear witness to Jesus, so that many people would come to worship Jesus as God.

DAY 3Read Luke 24:36-531. What mission are Jesus’ disciples given, and what are they promised

that will enable them to carry it out? (See also Acts 1:1-11.)

2. We are also Jesus’ disciples, living between Jesus’ ascension and His return. What is Jesus’ desire for us, and how might you do better at fulfilling it?

3. What is significant about how the disciples treat the ascended Jesus?

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Prayer: Turn your observations and reflections into prayer.

DAY 4Read Luke 19:45-22:711. Look back over these chapters and write down the key things that you

learnt, or were challenged by.

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DAY 5Read Luke 23-241. Having re-read chapters 20-24, what would you say are the big themes

in this section of Luke’s Gospel?

2. Look back over these chapters and write down the key things that you learnt, or were challenged by.


Prayer: Turn your observations and reflections into prayer.

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THE GENEVA PUSHGeneva was set up to provide a means by which they can

pool their energies to fuel a whole new generation of church planting that might see thousands of Australians saved to know Jesus.

Geneva is seeking to achieve this outcome by communicating the vision and need of planting, so more and more young people think to give themselves to planting. It has set in place a high quality assessment process to find the best church planters, and provides ongoing support and training through coaching structures, mentoring and ongoing conferences to best ensure planters have the biggest impact they can as planters. Visit www.thegenevapush.com

EV MISSION PARTNERS

DEREK AND ANNASoutheast AsiaDerek and Anna (and Liam and Jasmine) have come from Crossroads, one of our sister churches in Canberra, where Derek did MTS. They are living in a large city in

Southeast Asia. Derek teaches in a local college, training workers from all over the country, who will go back to their towns as leaders bringing the message to those with whom they live. Pray for the ongoing teaching at Derek’s Bible College and at the School of Mission, which has a focus on mobilising interest in Muslim Ministry, and equipping people for that. Pray for Anna as she is currently working towards bringing together some local Muslim ladies who are open, and forming them into a group of inquirers. Pray for God to reveal himself to these ladies.

JAI AND JAY-ELLEN WRIGHTMAKE Church, MackayJai and his wife Jay-Ellen moved to Mackay after ministry in “UniChurch, Qld” (Brisbane) and four years in Sydney where he studied at Moore Theological College, completing a Bachelor of Divinity. Jai and Jay-Ellen are planting a church

in Mackay, QLD. They have four children, Amber, Ebony and Kade and little Jett. Pray for strength for Jay-Ellen in her role as mum. They have seen God’s hand building this church in so many ways and are super excited to be in Mackay sharing God’s love. They are coached by Geneva Push.

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PAUL AND SANDRA KING Strasbourg, FrancePaul and Sandra are sent by us to bring the gospel to France, and they currently live in Strasbourg. They serve with French Christians in the University Bible Group (GBU).

Their ministry with university students involves evangelism, discipling, and training students to teach the Bible. They also coordinate full-time ministry apprenticeships; one program is called RELAY working with the GBU in universities, the other is NEW GENERATIONS working with local churches in cities. They hold evangelism events “Dialogue Veritas” where students and friends are invited to talks based on a survey about God and life.

JONO AND AMY VINK TanzaniaJono and Amy, along with their children Lili, Isaac, Brie and Abe, are working in Musoma, Tanzania. Jono helps to train church leaders by grounding them in Biblical

theology and in practical exegetical skills at Bunda Bible College.

The aim is to equip local pastors to teach the Bible and lead God’s people in Tanzania. He is also involved in local pastors’ groups writing Bible Study material and visiting different groups each week. Amy home schools and is involved in leading a ladies Bible Btudy. Amy also works with local women through “Rehema” which is an income-generating project – café and crafts - seeking to train local women to be able to provide for their families as well as all profits going to helping other needy women and children.

COLIN AND JILL BAKONSIM: Latin American MinistryColin trains and mentors Christians in Latin America in mission mobilization in response to many wanting to be involved in the world Christian movement. He

mentors a network of local mobilisers who journey with churches and prospective missionary candidates. A project has been started up to help fund this. See www.sim.org.au/wake-up-train-up-and-step-up. Praise that over 100 people have been impacted through the Kairos course and over 20 are in training to run the course themselves. Praise for interest coming from many Latin American countries in Kairos and with work projected to start in Ecuador, Mexico and El Salvador.

MARTIN AND JEN SHADWICK (AFES Newcastle University)Martin and Jen are graduates of our EV MTS program. They both work full time with AFES at Newcastle Uni, engaging in evangelism as well as discipling and training Christian

students. Martin leads the AFES staff team which oversees two groups – one for Australian students and one for international students - a new ministry to Muslim students. Praise God for the blessing of their daughter Hannah. Pray for wisdom in balancing ministry and family life. Praise for the new team members in AFES Newcastle: Jess Khor, Andy Bootes and Heather Green. Pray for them as they grow together as a team. Praise for new funding to help in the ever-growing International students’ ministry, which is headed up by Rodney Nohra. Praise God for special funding to help with the Arabic ministry and pray for Ashraf Mehanni who heads this up.

FIEC (Staff worker/Chaplin – Jim Ramsey)The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) is a fellowship of churches and pastors across Australia. These churches are committed to praying for one another

and continuing to promote planting of evangelical churches throughout Australia. Their pastors seek to provide support and encouragement to one another. FIEC began in 2002 when a small group of evangelical pastors had the simple aim of encouraging one another to proclaim Christ and plant more churches. In 2012, their annual conference had over 170 people in attendance, representing thirteen member churches across Australia. FIEC is aiming, with God’s help, to plant 100 churches across Australia during the next 15 years.

DANIEL AND RENAE GODDEN Salt Church, WollongongDan and Renae moved to Wollongong from EV to start a new evangelical church. Salt Church are now meeting together and building new relationships with people in the

Illawarra who don’t know Jesus. Praise God that there is a growing core group. Pray for another pastor to help in this ministry and for the refurbishment of their new premises. Pray for the Illawarra region, that God might work in such a way that there would be a flood of new disciples of Jesus right across the region.

EV MISSION PARTNERS

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KIRSTIN HAWKSHAW (CMS Missionary in Nepal) Kirstin is working as an Occupational Therapist in Pokhara, Nepal. She hopes to be salt and light as she does training and cares for people with disabilities through a community

rehabilitation program which involves travel to villages across a significant part of the middle of Nepal. She is involved in a small local church and is praying for many more opportunities through church, work and life to be a witness to Jesus and to be discipling Christians in the relatively young though vibrant church of Nepal. As she is in her second term now, pray for her as she readjusts to living in Nepal.

Please join with us in bringing solid hope to the coast - Jesus.Details for direct deposit or scheduled payment:

Central Coast Evangelical Church BSB: 704 922 Account: 100006281

Please label your giving for your congregation. Label with one of the following:

� ‘for Breakfast EV’ � ‘for Sunday EV’

� ‘for Saturday EV’ � ‘for NiteEV’ � ‘for PenEV’

For tax-deductible giving to our new church building, please use the following account details:

EV Church Building Fund BSB: 704 922 Account: 100007523

If you require a receipt, put your name and SBF (School Building Fund) as your reference on the direct debit please.

The New Testament teaches us to give generously, regularly and joyfully.

Term 1 starts Tuesday Feb 3rd and

Wednesday Feb 4th 2015.

7:30pm for coffee and dessert.

Documents

DAILY READING NOTES - EV Churchevchurch.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2015_T1-Luke... · of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. ... He was likely a medical doctor. Tradition