STUDY GUIDE

Saving Faith

An Orderly Account: Encountering Jesus in the Gospel of Luke

Luke 7:1-10

Introduction

“Somewhere in the last century, Western man suffered a catastrophic loss of faith in himself, in his civilization, and in the faith that gave it birth.” Pat Buchanan wrote those words in 2001. I want to focus on that last phrase, “in the faith that gave it birth.” Twenty-five years ago, many believed secularization and science would eliminate …

Luke 6.46-49 – Study Guide

True & Fake Disciples

An Orderly Account: Encountering Jesus in the Gospel of Luke

Luke 6:46-49

Introduction

Last December, I took a trip with my Dad to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Cleveland Browns. Now, I’m not a Steelers fan, but I went because I wanted to be with my Dad. I wore the black and gold, I waved the Terrible Towel, and I cheered loudly for the team. …

Study Guide

What’s Wrong With Us?

An Orderly Account: Encountering Jesus in the Gospel of Luke

Luke 6:43-45

Introduction

“There are three kinds of people in the world. Those who can count and those who can’t.” When I was in college I took a logic class. In the class I learned there are many types of logical fallacies, and one of the most common is the “either-or fallacy,” also known as the “fallacy of …

STUDY GUIDE

Introduction

Tic Tacs and two-year-olds don’t mix. I’m not sure how it happened, but when our oldest child was very young, she got ahold of a box of Tic Tacs and rather than popping one into her mouth, she decided a better receptacle of the tiny white mint was her right nostril. It didn’t take long for the peppermint oil of the candy to signal to her brain that she had made a …

Luke 6.20-26 – Study Guide

The Reversal of Fortunes:

An Orderly Account: Encountering Jesus in the Gospel of Luke

Luke 6:20-26

Introduction:

One of the great plotlines in movies and books is called the reversal of fortunes. The main character of the movie of book undergoes a dramatic shift in circumstances. A character with humble beginnings suddenly rises to greatness through sheer luck. Or a once magnificent individual falls from their prosperity due to …

Luke 6:12-16 – Study Guide

The Community of Jesus:

An Orderly Account: Encountering Jesus in the Gospel of Luke

Luke 6:12-16

Introduction:

In 1803, the purchase of Louisiana from France increased the territory of the United State by 828,000 square miles. The President, Thomas Jefferson, selected his personal assistant, Meriwether Lewis to form an expeditionary team to chart the geography and rivers of the territory, seek out a Northwest Passage from the Mississippi to the …

Luke 6.1-11 – Study Guide

Introduction:

There are two types of vacationers in the world. Type one are what we’ll call the Free Spirits; the blissful wanderers who pack a bag, pick a spot, and say, “We’ll figure out the rest when we get there.” All they need is a beach, a bed, and a vague notion of eating something—someday. These are the folks who show up to the Grand Canyon and say, “Cool ditch.” …

Luke 5.33-39 – Study Guide

INTRODUCTION:

Are you a rule keeper or a rule breaker? Do rules make you feel safe, or do they feel like a cage? Why do some rules feel easy to follow while others feel difficult, or even painful?

Have you ever judged someone for breaking a rule that you follow? Did you ever feel like keeping a rule kept you from loving someone? Have you ever broken a rule because …