I hope that title doesn't sound like I'm bored. Its very exciting to me to have had the opportunity all these years to meet with women of the church and study the Word together. There is nothing more fun that sitting around a table talking about a passage of scripture. It's so much better than studying alone! Some of us have been at it a long time, but it seriously never gets boring. There's always something to learn and something in your life that needs to change....at least for me.
This year we're going to study the writings of Luke, which you probably all know are the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. Luke is very accommodating in writing out his purpose for both books. Luke 1:1-4 says he has carefully investigated everything from the beginning. And he means the beginning. He starts with the birth announcements of both John and Jesus. He's gathered eye-witness accounts.
He also says he intends to write out an "orderly account". He has painstakingly investigated the matter and is going to set things down in a logical order so that his intended reader, Theophilus, will know the solid historical facts behind the faith he has embraced.
The book of Acts is also addressed to Theophilus. Luke begins Acts by summarizing "book 1" as "all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven", which hints that his sequel will be about what Jesus continued to do after he went up into heaven.
Some Bibles title this second book of Luke as the Acts of the Apostles. Many a preacher has wanted to change that title to Acts of the risen Jesus. But it seems to me (not an original thought) that the book could be called the Acts of the Apostles empowered by the Holy Spirit. (Clearly a too long and not very catchy title.)
Jesus spent a lot of time his last night on earth with his disciples explaining that when he left he would send the Holy Spirit, the counselor, the one who would indwell them for the life to come. He even said it would be better for them that he was going away! That seems crazy! But when you see what these 11 men plus Paul accomplish in the book of Acts you will see what he means! In the gospels you see the disciples hanging out with God. What could be better than that? God hanging out IN the disciples.
I've studied two other gospels, Matthew and John. I've been struck this summer by how different the voices of these two gospels are. Matthew is a fiery book, portraying Jesus as an angry young rebel, throwing fireballs at the Scribes and the Pharisees. John is in awe of Jesus, pointing out miraculous sign after miraculous sign, believing this elegant speaker is more than a great speaker, he's God. Luke's voice is the dispassionate reporter. Just the facts, Ma'am. At least that's what I think in September. We'll see what we all think by Christmas.
I haven't counted it myself but I've read that Luke actually wrote more of the New Testament than Paul. [I should count it; it's hard to believe!] Both books are 52 chapters, so going through them will be about like going through Genesis....a trek that will easily keep us occupied til spring.
I woke up this morning with both Adam's wedding and Bill's chemo behind me, and I'm ready to start. I hope you are too.
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