The Gospel of Luke

Introduction:

Include the role of the book in your life. This could be extensive or it could be minimal until preparing for this lesson. Succinctly state how this book plays a unique role in the Bible and in our lives.

When I got back from the pastor’s college in 2019 and replanted the church in 2020 as the first SG church in Alabama, we decided to begin a journey through the gospel of Luke. We did this because we desire to be a church that cares for the people God cares about. And of course He cares for ALL people. But as we see in the gospel of Luke, He cares especially for the outcasts of society. Those who think that they are too far off from the generosity of God. These are the people that the religious overlook and look down on. These are the people that God is in the business of saving. So we wanted to make sure that Jesus and His compassion for the lost was the foundation of our life and mission together.

I. CONTEXT

Placement in Redemptive History/Bible

The gospel of Luke is the third of four gospels in the New Testament.

Now,

The gospels we find in our Bibles are theological biographies of the life and ministry of Jesus.

I say theological because the arrangement of the events in the gospels are based on themes and the audience.

I love how Matt Porterpan begins any juicy story he’s about to tell with “I’m about to weave you a tapestry.” That is Matt telling you that he is about to craft an entertaining story for his audience and himself to enjoy. It is a signal that a great story with exaggeration and heavy drama is about to follow.

For the writers of the gospels, they were not seeking to entertain but rather to provide a historical account of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, hence the use of the term biography.

That being said,

Luke is the first volume in a 2 volume series on Jesus Christ’s ministry through His incarnation and church.

Volume 1, The gospel of Luke, deals with Jesus’ incarnational ministry

Volume 2, The book of Acts, deals with Jesus’ ministry through the establishment of the church and the global spread of the gospel.

Author

The author of the gospel is believed to be Dr. Luke. A gentile companion of Paul.

And given his physician background, it makes sense that he would be extremely thorough in his details. But he has another reason. And that leads us to his audience.

Audience & Occassion

I love how the gospel begins with its prologue.

It reminds me of the way the movie TERMINATOR begins.

Let me set the scene…

Crushed human bones. Flying lazer beams. The sound of metal grinding and skulls crushing. The sight of an ominous soldier running from great machines shooting at him. And the prologue hits the screen.

Los Angeles, 2029: The machines rose from the ashes of the nuclear fire. Their war to exterminate mankind had raged for decades, but the final battle would not be fought in the future. It would be fought here, in our present. Tonight…

Talk about setting the stage for what was to come. Wetting the appetites of the viewer. Building anticipation and directing expectations. That’s what a good prologue does. A

Prologue: a short introductory section that gives background information or sets the stage for the story to come.

Now the Prologue to Luke is not that dramatic. But it sets the stage for all that follows. Look with me at

Luke 1:1-4

1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

Darrell L. Bock rightly points out, “Just as a horror film will have eerie music in the background to identify the nature of the scene, so this preface tells us what kind of story we are reading—an authentic portrait of Jesus.”

From this prologue we find that the gospel was written to a person named Theophilus with the aim of assuring him of the historical authenticity of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension along with all of Jesus’ claims.

We see throughout the gospel Jesus caring for those who were the outcasts like Samaritans and women... He is patient with traitors and doubters such as Matthew, Zacchaeus, and Thomas.

The gospel is written with a Gentile audience in mind but of course not exclusively. Hence the emphasis on Jesus caring for those who are far off.

Fun Facts

No other gospel has a second volume.

Luke is one of three of the gospels described as a synoptic gospel. Which simple means

"see together" or "view together" (from the Greek syn-optic) by presenting many of the same events in Jesus' life in a similar order and with similar wording.

Luke is the longest consequently the most thorough gospel in keeping with Luke being a physician… A profession that thrives off of attention to detail.

The attention to detail also serves the skeptic, which is at least some who are considered when Luke wrote the gospel.

Doug Moo and D.A. Carson make the interesting observation that

“Only Luke takes us from the very beginning of the “Jesus story,” the birth of John the Baptist, to its end, the ascension of Jesus.”

Mark only dedicates 1 chapter to Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem.

Matthew dedicates 2 chapter to Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem. (19-20)

Luke dedicates almost 10 chapters to this. (end of 9-19)

Again in keeping with the intent of the author, the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son are unique to the gospel of Luke.

D.A. Carson notes, “Only Luke records Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus (19:1–10), his raising of a widow’s son at Nain (7:11–17), and his words on the cross asking God to forgive his executioners (23:34) and assuring the dying thief of entrance into Paradise (23:43).

Luke is reportedly the only Gentile to write a book of the Bible.

Chapters & Text Outline

There are 24 chapters

1-2:

John the Baptist and Jesus’ birth stories and their inseparable mission set in motion even before they were born. Chapter 2 zeroes in to Jesus’ birth and boyhood. Luke uniquely captures the event where Mary and Joseph lose Jesus and 2:46-47 says,

“After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.”

3-4:13:

Continue the link between John the Baptist and Jesus but now it concerns their adulthood and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.

4:14-9:50:

From here the narrative shifts to Jesus’ ministry in Galilee.

9:51-19:44:

Jesus is traveling toward Jerusalem

19:45-24:53:

Arrives and remains in Jerusalem

II. THEMES

What is or are the major theme(s) in the book?

There is much that can be said about Jesus. And like rotating a diamond helps us see the fullness and beauty of its features, the unique gospel accounts can be seen as rotating the diamond of Christ and His incarnational ministry.

SALVATION FOR THE NEEDY:

Jesus is the kingly messiah in the lineage of King David who is the savior of the lost.

The key verse for the book could be

Luke 19:10,“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

God is in the business of rescuing the poor and the needy.”

THE HOLY SPIRIT’S ROLE

Luke emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in the fulfillment of Christ’s mission in both Luke and Acts.

Luke begins with the role of the HS in the incarnation and ministry of Jesus and ends with the anticipation of the indwelling HS for continued ministry on the earth through the church.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER

Gordon Fee and Stuart Douglas write, “You should also note the emphasis throughout the Gospel on prayer and joy. Jesus himself prays at every major point in the story, and Luke includes more teaching on prayer than all the other Gospels. And salvation as “good news for the poor” causes people regularly to glorify God with great joy. Here is one Gentile who is deeply grateful to be included in God’s salvation of his people Israel.

III. Christ in the Book

Whereas some books of the Bible may be difficult for you to see Christ exalted in the book, say for instance Ecclesiastes or Esther… The Gospels are uniquely written as a biography of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

But make no mistake ALL of Scripture is about the exaltation of Christ. He was there in the beginning. He was present throughout and we await His return.

The very last chapter of Luke, Jesus says to the fellas He walked with on the road to Emmaus,

“O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:25-27

Here Jesus declares that it is He that ALL of Scripture points to.

The Old Testament points forward to the coming messiah. The Gospels reveal the incarnate messiah and His redemptive work. Acts through Jude tells us about the mission of Christ in the world. And Revelation speaks of Christ RULE and RETURN.

ALL of Scripture testifies of Christ.

As far as Luke. Luke emphasizes the spirit-filled Davidic kingship and messiahship of Christ who come to save not only the jews but all who turn to Him, especially the outcasts and those who think they are too far off.

Conclusion:

How should this book and its themes uniquely shape our lives?

And so, as I close, let us lean in to being a people who seek to know and exalt the whole Christ.

That we would grow in our delighting of Him when we read in the Old Testament and seek to see Him when we can’t in the Scriptures.

Let us grow in what it means to be dependent on and empowered by the Spirit of the living God.

And let us be a people of prayer who submit to, enjoy and live for King Jesus who is actively seeking to save the lost, especially those who bring nothing to the table but their sin, those who are outcasts and dregs of society.

Small Group Questions

Opening Transition

Leader: “Tonight, as we begin reflecting on the Gospel of Luke, let’s remember that Luke wrote so

people could have certainty about Jesus, and he highlights themes like salvation for the needy, the role

of the Spirit, prayer, and God’s heart for the outcast. Let’s explore what those truths mean for us today.”

Section 1: Luke’s Purpose & Our Certainty

Luke’s prologue was written to give Theophilus confidence in the truth of Jesus.

Where in your life do you long for greater certainty about God, His Word, or your faith?

Follow-up prompt:

2. What practices (Bible reading, prayer, remembering God’s past faithfulness) help you grow in assurance?

Transition: That assurance is not meant just for us, but to move us outward in compassion and mission…

Section 2: God’s Heart for the Outcasts

Luke emphasizes Jesus’ care for the outcasts and those thought to be “too far gone.”

3. Who are the “outcasts” in your world today—at work, in your neighborhood, or even within the church?

Follow-up prompt:

4. What’s one step you could take this week to show them Christlike compassion?

Luke records parables like the Good Samaritan and Prodigal Son to show God’s heart for the marginalized.

5. How do these stories challenge the way you view and interact with people different from you?

Follow-up prompt:

6. When have you personally experienced God’s grace as the “outsider” brought in?

Transition: Loving the lost requires more than just good intentions—it calls for Spirit-empowered living.

Section 3: The Spirit’s Role in Our Lives

Luke highlights the Holy Spirit’s role in Jesus’ ministry and in the early church. In what areas of your life or ministry do you most need the Spirit’s power right now?

Follow-up prompt:

7. How do you typically seek or depend on the Spirit in daily life?

Luke’s second volume (Acts) shows the Spirit at work in the church’s mission.

8. How do you see your own life as part of that ongoing mission of Jesus?

Follow-up prompt:

9. Where might God be calling you to step out in obedience for the sake of the gospel?

Transition: We can’t live Spirit-dependent lives without also cultivating prayer, which Luke shows us was central to Jesus’ ministry.

Section 4: Prayer and Joy

Luke shows Jesus praying at every key moment of His life and ministry.

10. How would your daily rhythms change if you prayed like Jesus—at turning points, in solitude, in dependence?

Follow-up prompt:

11. What’s one way you could strengthen your prayer life this week?

Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart note that prayer and joy are woven together in Luke.

12. How could prayer become more of a source of joy rather than just obligation for you?

Follow-up prompt:

13. When has prayer filled you with joy or fresh perspective in the past?

Transition: Prayer and joy remind us that salvation is not about what we bring to God, but what He freely gives to those in need.

Section 5: Salvation for the Needy

Luke 19:10 says, “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.”

14. Where do you need to remember that you yourself bring nothing but need to God?

Follow-up prompt:

15. How might that awareness reshape the way you extend grace to others?

Transition: Finally, Luke reminds us that all of Scripture points to Christ—our ultimate hope.

Section 6: Christ in All of Scripture

On the road to Emmaus, Jesus explained how all Scripture points to Him.

16. How might remembering that truth change the way you approach your Bible reading?

Follow-up prompt:

17. Can you share a time when you suddenly saw Christ more clearly in a passage you hadn’t expected?

Luke emphasizes Jesus as the Spirit-filled Messiah who came for all, Jew and Gentile.

18. How does that widen your perspective of God’s family and your place in it?

Follow-up prompt:

19. What practical step could you take this week to live out that inclusive vision of the gospel?

Closing Transition

Leader: “Luke doesn’t just give us facts about Jesus—he calls us to assurance, Spirit-filled

dependence, prayerful joy, and compassionate mission. Let’s take one thing we’ve talked about tonight

and commit to putting it into practice this week.”