Luke begins his Gospel by explaining that he has written an orderly account so that his readers may have certainty about Jesus (vv. 1–4). The angel Gabriel first appears to Zechariah, announcing the miraculous birth of John, who would prepare the way for the Lord, though Zechariah’s doubt left him mute until the child was born (vv. 16–20). Soon after, Gabriel appeared to Mary in Nazareth, telling her she would conceive by the Holy Spirit and give birth to Jesus, the eternal King on David’s throne (vv. 31–33). Mary responded in humble faith, saying, “Let it be to me according to your word” (v. 38).
Mary visited Elizabeth, whose unborn child leapt with joy, and together they rejoiced in God’s mercy. Mary’s song (the Magnificat) praised the Lord for lifting up the humble and fulfilling His promises (vv. 46–55). When John was born, Zechariah’s voice was restored, and he blessed God with a Spirit-filled song (the Benedictus), declaring that John would prepare the way for the Messiah who would bring light to those in darkness (vv. 76–79).
🌀 Reflection: God’s plan unfolds with perfect timing and certainty. From angelic announcements to prophetic songs, Luke 1 reminds us that Jesus came as the fulfillment of God’s promises. How does your heart respond to His faithfulness — with doubt like Zechariah, or with faith like Mary?
💬 Mission Challenge: Share with someone today how Jesus is the Light who brings hope to those in darkness (vv. 78–79).
This phase will have us reading about Jesus’s life in the gospel of Luke, the formation of the Church in Acts, and walk through the theology found in Paul’s letters that the Church needs to know about and live out the eternal life given by grace through faith in Jesus.
Below, you’ll find brief synopses of each book in this phase to help you understand the scope of the book and most importantly, how it fits into the full Story of the Bible.
When you click on each day’s link, you will find a link to audio, a summary of the chapter, a key verse from the chapter, and opportunities for reflection and outreach.
Luke
Luke is the first part of a two-volume story (with Acts) written to give believers confidence about Jesus and the good news (Luke 1:1–4; Acts 1:1–2). Early Christians understood the author to be Luke, a physician and coworker of Paul (Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:11). He writes to Theophilus—and to a wider audience—to show that Jesus is the promised Savior for all people: Jews and Gentiles, the poor and the powerful, the outcast and the insider (Luke 2:10–11; 4:18–19; 19:10). Big themes include prayer, the Holy Spirit, costly discipleship, warnings about riches, and God’s grace that lifts the lowly (Luke 1:52–53; 3:21–22; 6:20–26; 11:1–4; 12:32–34).
As a Gospel, Luke reads like an ancient biography centered on Jesus’ public ministry, death, and resurrection. It moves from the temple in Jerusalem to Galilee and back again, with a long “journey to Jerusalem” where Jesus heads to the cross (Luke 9:51). Luke’s style is vivid and orderly, weaving in songs, parables unique to him (e.g., the Good Samaritan; the Prodigal Son), and many scenes of table fellowship that show who belongs in God’s family (Luke 7:36–50; 10:25–37; 15:1–32). Throughout, Jesus is the Spirit-anointed Son of Man who teaches, heals, forgives, and welcomes sinners (Luke 4:1, 14, 18; 5:20–32).
In the big story of the Bible, Luke shows God keeping his promises to Israel and opening salvation to the nations. Jesus fulfills the Scriptures, suffers, rises, and sends his followers out with the Spirit’s power (Luke 24:44–49; Acts 1:8). The kingdom has arrived in Jesus’ words and works, yet we still wait for its fullness—so we live awake, generous, prayerful, and bold in witness until he returns (Luke 11:2; 12:32–40; 21:34–36).
The book of Acts is Luke’s sequel to his Gospel, written to Theophilus and to a broader audience of early Christians (Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3). Tradition and internal evidence identify Luke, the beloved physician and companion of Paul (Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:11; Philem. 24), as the author. He carefully investigated eyewitness testimony and recorded an orderly account of the risen Christ’s work through His apostles (Luke 1:2–3; Acts 1:21–22). Most likely written in the early 60s A.D., Acts gives believers certainty that the gospel is true and that Christianity is the fulfillment of God’s promises, not a new or dangerous sect (Luke 24:44–47; Acts 24:14–15).
At its heart, Acts shows how the ascended Jesus continues His mission by sending the Holy Spirit to empower His church. The book’s key verse, Acts 1:8, provides its outline: the gospel spreads from Jerusalem (Acts 2:1–47), into Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:4–25), and then outward to the ends of the earth, symbolized by Paul’s ministry in Rome (Acts 28:30–31). Along the way, Luke highlights miracles (Acts 3:1–10; 19:11–12), persecution (Acts 4:1–22; 7:54–60), and the unstoppable advance of God’s Word (Acts 12:24; 19:20). Through it all, Acts demonstrates that nothing—not prison, plots, or shipwrecks—can hinder the spread of the gospel (Acts 5:41–42; 27:23–25).
Acts emphasizes both continuity and fulfillment. Jesus’ death and resurrection fulfill the Scriptures (Acts 2:25–36; 13:32–33), and His exaltation confirms Him as both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). The Holy Spirit marks the arrival of the new age of salvation (Acts 2:16–21; Joel 2:28–32) and unites Jews and Gentiles into one people of God (Acts 10:44–48; 15:7–11). Like Jesus in Luke’s Gospel, His followers perform miracles, face opposition, and walk in obedience to God’s plan (Luke 4:18–19; Acts 3:6–8; 14:8–10; Luke 23:4; Acts 26:31–32). The church’s mission is shown to be both ancient—rooted in God’s promises to Israel (Acts 3:25–26)—and worldwide, extending to “all who are far off” (Acts 2:39).
In the Story of the Bible, Acts is the bridge between Christ’s finished work and the church’s Spirit-empowered witness. It records the first thirty years of gospel proclamation, showing how God’s plan of salvation moves from Jerusalem to Rome and beyond (Acts 1:8; 9:15; 13:47). Acts assures us that the risen Christ still reigns, His Spirit still empowers, and His mission still advances until the day He returns (Acts 2:33; 7:55–56; 28:28). The same Spirit who emboldened Peter, Stephen, and Paul continues to strengthen the church today to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord to the ends of the earth (Acts 4:31; 20:24; 28:31).
Every Sunday, our faith family at Christ Community gathers for one reason: to worship and glorify our resurrected King, Jesus Christ. We don’t meet out of routine or ritual or religion but in response to the good news that Jesus lived, died, rose again, and reigns forever!
This Sunday (like every Sunday), the songs we sing and Scriptures we read will walk us through the gospel story. Let’s take a look and prepare our hearts to gather and worship.
The Mind and Majesty of Jesus (Philippians 2:5-11) Paul tells the Philippians — and us — to adopt the mindset of Jesus (v. 5). This isn’t some moral challenge but a call to reflect the heart of our Savior. Though He was truly God (v. 6), Jesus didn’t grasp at His heavenly privilege but rather chose the path of humility.
He made Himself nothing — not by ceasing to be God, but by becoming human and taking on the nature of a servant (v .7). God Himself put on flesh and stepped down into our broken world (John 1:14). He lived a perfect, sinless life, obeying the Father perfectly, even to the point of death — “even death on a cross” (v. 8). This crucifixion was not just excruciating; it was humiliating and degrading, the lowest form of execution reserved for criminals. But Jesus bore it willingly for us.
Because of His humility and obedience, “God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name that is above every name” (v. 9). One day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Him as Lord, all to the glory of God the Father (vv. 10-11). The One who stooped low to serve and to save now reigns on high as King of kings and Lord of lords.
But if we stop there, we might miss the full weight of what happened on the cross. That’s why Isaiah 53, written hundreds of years before God became flesh and dwelt among us, speaks so powerfully into what Jesus endured.
The Suffering Savior (Isaiah 53:3-6) Isaiah paints a vivid picture of the Servant who would come — not with power and acclaim but with sorrow and rejection (v. 3). Jesus wouldn’t just brush up against human suffering but enter into it fully, yet while people dismissed Him, thinking He was being punished by God (v. 4), Isaiah prophesies an important truth for us to understand today: when Jesus was “pierced”, it was for “our transgressions” — when He was “crushed”, it was for “our iniquities” (v. 5).
Jesus didn’t suffer for His sins because He had none. He suffered for ours. And His “punishment…brought us peace”, and “His wounds” brought us healing (v. 5). The wrath of God fell on His spotless Son so that mercy could be poured out on us.
Just as we’ve read in Philippians 2:5-11, the cross wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t injustice. It was God’s plan to redeem sinners through the willing sacrifice of His Son. And that’s good news for sinners like us.
That’s why we can sing “King of Kings”, the story of Jesus’s humility, crucifixion, resurrection, and glory. It’s why we can sing “Man of Sorrows” and “Jesus Paid It All”, recognizing that Jesus endured sorrow, pain, and death to pay the price for our sin. It’s why we can sing “What a Beautiful Name” — because He is the One who has been given a name above all names and exalted above everything that is.
That’s why we sing. That’s why we gather. Jesus is God, and He is worthy. He bore our griefs, carried our sin, paid our debt with His life, rose from the grave, and now reigns forevermore, seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
This is the Jesus we gather to worship.
This is the gospel — the good news — we proclaim and rejoice in.
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
3He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Hebrews closes with concrete, everyday worship: keep loving one another, show hospitality (you might be serving angels!), remember the imprisoned and mistreated, honor marriage, and practice contentment because God will never leave you (13:1–6). Follow faithful leaders and hold fast to sound teaching—our unchanging Christ is enough (13:7–9). Since Jesus suffered “outside the camp” to make us holy, we willingly bear His reproach and live for the city to come (13:10–14). Our sacrifices now are praise, doing good, and sharing with others—gifts that please God (13:15–16). The chapter ends with a call to honor leaders, pray, and a beautiful benediction: the God of peace equips us to do His will through Jesus, the great Shepherd (13:17–25).
🌀 Reflection: Which of these rhythms—hospitality, remembering the suffering, honoring marriage, contentment, or generous sharing—most needs attention in your life right now?
💬 Mission Challenge: Practice hospitality this week: invite someone outside your usual circle for a meal or coffee, listen to their story, and pray Hebrews 13:5–6 over them.
The Christian life is pictured as a race that requires endurance. Surrounded by the “great cloud of witnesses” from Hebrews 11, we are called to lay aside sin and fix our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross and is now seated at God’s right hand (12:1–2). Believers, too, must endure hardship, remembering that God disciplines His children out of love to make them holy (12:5–11). His discipline is never punishment in anger but training that yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
The chapter contrasts the terrifying scene of Mount Sinai with the joyful hope of Mount Zion. We do not come to fear and darkness but to the heavenly Jerusalem, to God’s presence, and to Jesus, whose blood speaks a better word than Abel’s (12:18–24). Therefore, we must not refuse God’s voice. His kingdom cannot be shaken, so we respond with gratitude and worship, living with reverence and awe, for “our God is a consuming fire” (12:25–29).
🌀 Reflection: What sin or “weight” do you need to lay aside so you can run with endurance? How does fixing your eyes on Jesus help you persevere through hardship?
💬 Mission Challenge: This week, encourage another believer who seems weary. Remind them of Jesus’ endurance and God’s loving discipline, and pray with them to press on in faith.
Faith is the confident assurance that God’s promises are true, even when we cannot yet see them (11:1–3). Hebrews 11 walks through the story of God’s people to show that faith has always been the way to please Him. Abel’s offering was accepted (Gen. 4:1–10), Enoch walked with God and was taken up (Gen. 5:21–24), and Noah built the ark by faith (Gen. 6:9–9:29). Abraham obeyed God’s call and lived as a pilgrim looking for a better city (Gen. 12–25), and Sarah trusted God to give her a child though she was barren (Gen. 21:1–7). Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph all trusted God’s promises for the future (Gen. 27; 48; 50:22–26). Moses’ parents hid him, and later he chose to suffer with God’s people rather than enjoy Egypt’s treasures (Ex. 2–14). By faith, Israel crossed the Red Sea, the walls of Jericho fell, and Rahab welcomed the spies (Ex. 14; Josh. 2; 6).
The chapter builds to a crescendo with names like Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets (Judg. 4–16; 1 Sam. 7; 2 Sam. 7). Some conquered kingdoms, stopped the mouths of lions (Dan. 6), and quenched fire (Dan. 3). Others endured mocking, flogging, prison, and death (Jer. 20; 37; 2 Chron. 24). They wandered in deserts and caves, “of whom the world was not worthy” (11:38). All these were commended for their faith, but they did not receive the fullness of what was promised, because God had planned something better for us—perfection through Jesus Christ (11:39–40).
🌀 Reflection: What does this chapter teach you about the nature of true faith? Do you see yourself more in the victories described—or in the sufferings? How does both encourage you to trust God more deeply?
💬 Mission Challenge: Choose one of the names mentioned in Hebrews 11 and tell someone of what God did in and through them.
The law and its sacrifices were only shadows, unable to take away sin or perfect the worshiper (10:1–4). Psalm 40 is applied to Jesus, who came not to offer endless sacrifices but to do God’s will by giving His body for us (10:5–10). Unlike priests who stood daily offering sacrifices that could never cleanse, Christ offered Himself once for all, then sat down at God’s right hand, having perfected forever those who are being sanctified (10:11–14). The Holy Spirit confirms this through Jeremiah’s prophecy of the new covenant: God’s law written on hearts and sins remembered no more (10:15–18).
Because of this, believers have confidence to draw near to God by the blood of Jesus, who opened a new and living way through His flesh and reigns as our High Priest (10:19–21). We are urged to draw near with full assurance, hold fast our hope without wavering, and stir one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as the Day approaches (10:22–25). But a fearful warning follows: to go on sinning deliberately after receiving the truth leaves no sacrifice, only judgment (10:26–31). Yet the chapter closes with encouragement: just as they had endured suffering in the past, so now they must press on in faith, for “the righteous shall live by faith” (10:32–39).
🌀 Reflection: Do you live as though Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice has given you full access to God, or are you tempted to go back to old patterns of guilt or empty rituals?
💬 Mission Challenge: This week, encourage another believer to keep meeting faithfully with God’s people, pointing them to the hope we share as we await Christ’s return.
The old covenant had an earthly tabernacle with holy places, priests, and repeated sacrifices, but these could never perfect the conscience or truly open the way into God’s presence (9:1–10). They served as a shadow pointing forward to something greater. When Christ appeared, He entered the greater and perfect heavenly tabernacle, not with animal blood but with His own, securing eternal redemption (9:11–14). His death inaugurated the new covenant, granting those called by God the promised eternal inheritance, since “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (9:15–22).
Unlike the high priests who entered year after year, Jesus entered heaven itself once for all, presenting His finished work before the Father on our behalf (9:23–26). Just as people die once and then face judgment, Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, and He will appear a second time—not to deal with sin again, but to bring salvation to those eagerly waiting for Him (9:27–28). His single, perfect sacrifice accomplishes what no earthly ritual ever could: cleansing our conscience, granting forgiveness, and securing eternal hope.
🌀 Reflection: Are you resting in the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus, or are you tempted to rely on repeated works and rituals that cannot truly cleanse the heart?
💬 Mission Challenge: Encourage someone today with the truth that Christ’s sacrifice was final and sufficient. Invite them to place their full hope in Him as they wait for His return.
The main “point” lands: we have the High Priest who sat down at God’s right hand and now ministers in the true, heavenly tabernacle the Lord set up—not an earthly copy (8:1–5). As every priest must offer something, Jesus’ offering is presented in the real sanctuary, not within the Levitical system from which he’s distinct; the Mosaic tent was only a shadow patterned after the heavenly reality. Therefore Christ’s ministry is “more excellent,” because he mediates a better covenant enacted on better promises (8:6–7).
To prove this, Hebrews cites Jeremiah 31:31–34: God promised a “new covenant” unlike Sinai’s, which Israel broke. In this new covenant God writes his law on minds and hearts, establishes intimate knowledge of himself for all his people, and grants definitive forgiveness—“I will remember their sins no more” (8:8–12). By calling it “new,” the first is rendered obsolete and vanishing; Christ’s heavenly priesthood secures what the old could only foreshadow—real access, transformed hearts, and final pardon (8:13).
🌀 Reflection: Do you live with confidence in the “better promises” of the new covenant—that your sins are forgiven, God’s law is written on your heart, and you belong to Him?
💬 Mission Challenge: Share today with someone how Jesus has written His truth on your heart, and invite them to trust Him for full and final forgiveness.
The author unpacks Genesis 14 and Psalm 110 to show why Jesus’ priesthood outshines the Levitical one. Melchizedek—“king of righteousness” and “king of peace”—appears without recorded genealogy and blesses Abraham, who in turn tithes to him; the greater blesses the lesser, so Melchizedek’s order is superior to Abraham’s line (7:1–10). Since a new priest like Melchizedek was promised, the old order could never bring perfection; a change in priesthood means a change in law (7:11–14). Jesus, from Judah, becomes priest not by ancestry but “by the power of an indestructible life,” fulfilling, “You are a priest forever” (7:15–17). Thus the former command is set aside as weak, and a better hope is introduced by which we draw near to God (7:18–19).
Unlike priests made without an oath, the Son is appointed by God’s irrevocable oath, making Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant (7:20–22). The many mortal priests give way to the One who “continues forever”; therefore he saves completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede (7:23–25). Fitting for us, our High Priest is holy, innocent, unstained, exalted, and offered himself once for all—no daily sacrifices, no offering for his own sins—so that sinners might be perfected forever (7:26–28).
🌀 Reflection: Where are you still relying on your own “law-keeping” instead of resting in Jesus’s once-for-all priestly work?
💬 Mission Challenge: Pray for a believer by name today, trusting Jesus’ ongoing intercession to strengthen and sustain them.
Just Keith Harris 