In Luke 6, Jesus reveals His authority and the heart of God’s law. When the Pharisees accused His disciples of breaking the Sabbath by picking grain, He reminded them of David eating consecrated bread and declared, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath” (vv. 1–5; 1 Sam. 21:1–6). Soon after, He healed a man’s withered hand on the Sabbath, showing that honoring God means showing mercy and compassion, not clinging to rigid rules (vv. 6–11; Mic. 6:8). While His works brought life and restoration, the Pharisees responded with anger, already plotting against Him. Before appointing twelve apostles, Jesus spent the night in prayer, then called those who would carry forward His mission to preach, heal, and spread the good news (vv. 12–16).
Jesus then delivered what is often called the Sermon on the Plain, teaching His disciples what life in the Kingdom looks like. He blessed the poor, hungry, and persecuted while warning the rich, comfortable, and admired that worldly gain is fleeting (vv. 20–26). He commanded His followers to love their enemies, forgive freely, and live with humility and mercy (vv. 27–36). His words challenged them to bear good fruit and build their lives on obedience to Him, like a wise man building on rock rather than sand (vv. 43–49). Luke 6 makes clear that following Jesus is not about outward religion but about a transformed life rooted in Him.
🌀 Reflection: Jesus calls His people to live differently, showing love, mercy, and obedience that flow from hearts transformed by Him. Where in your life might you be tempted to say “Lord, Lord” while holding back from full obedience?
💬 Mission Challenge: Do one tangible act of love for someone difficult in your life this week—pray for them, forgive them, or serve them in a way that reflects Christ’s love.ke us.
Jesus began to call His disciples with miraculous power and grace. When Simon Peter obeyed Jesus’s command to lower his nets after a night of failure, the result was a catch so large it overwhelmed their boats (vv. 1–7). Peter, recognizing his unworthiness, fell at Jesus’s feet, but Jesus called him, along with James and John, to follow Him as “fishers of men” (vv. 8–11). This same compassion was shown when a leper begged for cleansing. Jesus touched the man and healed him instantly, proving both His willingness and His power to make the unclean clean (vv. 12–16).
Luke also records the dramatic moment when friends brought a paralyzed man to Jesus by lowering him through a roof. Seeing their faith, Jesus forgave the man’s sins—something that shocked the Pharisees, who questioned His authority. To prove His authority to forgive sins, Jesus healed the man, who immediately walked and glorified God, leaving the crowd amazed (vv. 17–26). Finally, Jesus called Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him. When criticized for eating with sinners, Jesus declared His mission plainly: “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (vv. 27–32). Through the parable of new wine in old wineskins, He revealed that His ministry brought something new that could not be contained in old traditions (vv. 33–39).
🌀 Reflection: Luke 5 reminds us that Jesus delights in calling the unworthy to Himself. Whether fishermen, tax collectors, or the broken and sick, He invites sinners to repentance and new life. How might you need to respond afresh to His call today?
💬 Mission Challenge: Pray for someone in your life who may feel unworthy of God’s love. Share with them a word of hope or encouragement, reminding them that Jesus came not for the righteous but for sinners like us.
Jesus begins His ministry by being led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where He fasts for forty days and is tempted by the devil. Each temptation challenges His identity as the Son of God, but He never wavers, demonstrating His sinlessness and perfection. This also shows that Jesus, though fully divine, shared in human experiences of temptation, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
In Galilee, Jesus gains a reputation as a teacher, but His visit to Nazareth is marked by rejection. Reading Isaiah 61:1–2 in the synagogue, He declares Himself the fulfillment of prophecy. Though the people marvel at first, His mention of God’s grace to the Gentiles enrages them, foreshadowing the resistance He will face but giving good news to us.
Jesus then travels to Capernaum, where He teaches with authority and casts out demons, demonstrating His power and authority over all things, even the spiritual. A man possessed by an unclean spirit cries out, acknowledging Jesus as the “Holy One of God” (v. 34). He also heals many who are sick, including Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, and the crowds continue to gather. Jesus emphasizes that His mission is not just to heal but to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God, signaling that His ministry is far-reaching and intended for all people.
🌀 Reflection: Jesus resisted temptation with God’s Word and began His ministry with Spirit-filled authority. How does this encourage you to depend on the Spirit and Scripture in your own daily walk?
💬 Mission Challenge: Share a verse of Scripture with someone this week who may be struggling, reminding them of God’s power and presence to overcome temptation and bring hope.
Luke begins by situating John’s ministry within the historical context of Roman and Jewish leaders, showing how God’s Word came to John, not to elite political or religious figures. John’s ministry fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy, calling people to repent and prepare for the Lord (Isaiah 40:3–5). He baptized them as a sign of repentance, warning about God’s coming judgment and teaching them how to live faithfully. When questioned, John pointed to the coming Messiah (vv. 4–6).
Jesus was baptized by John as an example for us, not for repentance and obedience because He is without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). When He came out of the water, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove. God the Father declared, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (v. 22). This moment revealed Jesus as God’s Son and the promised Savior, with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all present.
Luke then traces Jesus’ lineage back to Adam, emphasizing that He is the Savior for all people, not just the Jews. This genealogy highlights Jesus’s identity as the Son of God and fulfills the requirements for the Messiah, showing His divine authority and His connection to humanity.
🌀 Reflection: John prepared the way, but Jesus is the way. How does seeing the Father’s affirmation of the Son encourage you to trust Him fully as Savior and King?
💬 Mission Challenge: This week, share the good news of Jesus with someone who may feel like an outsider. Remind them that Jesus came as Savior for all people.
God’s plan unfolded in the birth of Jesus. Even Caesar’s decree led Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, fulfilling prophecy (Micah 5:2). Jesus was born in humility, laid in a manger, and announced by angels as “good news of great joy” for all people (vv. 10–11). The shepherds hurried to see Him, then spread the news and glorified God (vv. 17, 20).
When Mary and Joseph presented Jesus at the temple, Simeon praised God, declaring Him “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (v. 32). Anna, a faithful prophetess, also rejoiced and testified about Him (vv. 36–38). Later, at age twelve, Jesus revealed His unique identity by saying, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (v. 49). Though divine, He humbly submitted to His parents and grew in wisdom, stature, and favor (v. 52).
🌀 Reflection: Luke 2 reminds us that Jesus is both the promised King and the humble Savior. Do you respond to Him like the shepherds and Simeon—with joy, worship, and proclamation—or are you distracted by the noise of the world?
💬 Mission Challenge: Share the “good news of great joy” (v. 10) with someone today—speak Jesus’s name and what He means to you.
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.
Just Keith Harris 