Luke Part 2 Week 1

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

Luke 8:1-3 

¹ Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, ² along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; ³ Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples. 

This passage reveals there were many accompanying Jesus on His tour of nearby towns. Jesus was preaching about the Kingdom of God. Matthew, writing to the Jewish people, often referred to the same as the Kingdom of Heaven. (The Jewish people would not even say the word “Jehovah.”) Luke especially mentioned Mary Magdalene and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s business manager, as well as Susanna. Luke also mentioned those who supported Jesus and His disciples.  

REFLECT 

Think of the ways now you can give to support the work of Jesus. This can be done by giving time, money, and prayer support.  

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about the various ways one can support the work of Jesus today. Remember that those laboring in your local church are giving time and energy to whatever they are doing. 

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

Luke 8:4-8 

⁴ One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: ⁵ “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. ⁶ Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” 

Jesus commonly told stories to make a spiritual point to His listeners. This one had to do with a farmer planting seeds. In that culture they were acquainted with those sowing seed by hand. In particular Jesus wished to focus on the harvest that could be expected when the seed fell on different kinds of soil. 

REFLECT 

Do you wonder what this story of Jesus meant? You are not alone; the disciples wondered also.  

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about the importance to keep reading in the Bible when you wonder what something means. This is especially true with the book of Revelation. Revelation 1:12, 16 are explained in Revelation 1:20. Also, Revelation 12:7 is explained in Revelation 12:9. 

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

Luke 8:9-10 

⁹ His disciples asked him what this parable meant. ¹⁰ He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they look, they won’t really see. When they hear, they won’t understand.’” 

Notice that the disciples who lived with Jesus did not understand the point of His story. It is understandable if someone living today does not understand. Jesus explained to His disciples that they were permitted to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. His story, however, would not be understood by those who were rejecting Him as their Messiah. 

REFLECT 

Think if a story was told about spiritual truths, an unbeliever would not understand. Other believers would, however. 

RESPOND 

Years ago at a World’s Fair in the United States, a film was shown that believers in Jesus understood but unbelievers did not. This is an example of what Jesus told His disciples. 

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

Luke 8:11-12 

¹¹ “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. ¹² The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved.” 

Jesus explained the parable to His disciples. Notice that the seed represents God’s Word. Some will hear the gospel but the devil snatches it away from their minds so they do not believe it. There are many like that today. The presentation of the Word of God makes no sense to them. 

REFLECT 

Do you remember hearing the gospel when it made no sense to you? Thank the Lord that the Holy Spirit helped you to understand it so you could trust in Jesus as Savior. 

RESPOND 

Join with a friend in reading 2 Corinthians 4:3-4. Visit about some you have witnessed to who fell into this category of people. 

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

Luke 8:13-15 

¹³ “The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. ¹⁴ The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. ¹⁵ And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.” 

Jesus continued to explain the different kinds of soil. He had told of the footpath; this passage tells of the rocky soil, the word that fell among the thorns, and the good soil. This good soil “represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.” Notice it is not only those who hear God’s word, but also those who cling to it and produce a large harvest.  

REFLECT 

Do you fit in this last category of persons that Jesus mentioned? Do you cling to the Word of God? Have others seen spiritual fruit expressed in your life?  

RESPOND 

Join with a friend in examining Galatians 5:22-23. Talk about each fruit of the Spirit mentioned and discuss whether you are seeing that in each other’s life. Note also no restriction can ever keep a believer from expressing the fruit of the Spirit.