Current Series: The Way – Living in the Dust of the Rabbi

The Way: Living in the Dust of the Rabbi Prospectus

Winter 2012

Discipleship was at the heart of Jesus’ ministry, so it is not surprising that the word disciple is used more than 250 times in the New Testament.  But is the disciple-making mission of Jesus and His followers as clear, compelling and effective nearly 2000 years later?  Not really.  Western Christianity doesn’t always make discipleship central to the faith. To Jesus and his disciples, following Jesus was a life totally committed to obedience – to walk as the Rabbi walked, to become like him.  Just as God empowered the early disciples with desire and commitment to become more like Jesus the Rabbi, he desires to do the same with us. Let’s walk in the footsteps of the ancient disciples for a season.  Let’s explore the practices of first century rabbis and their disciples: their methods, loves and passions.  Let’s walk through that experience from the perspective of Luke.

The book of Luke is addressed to the same man, Theophilus, who was probably some sort of governmental official. His title of “most excellent” is used for governors in other places in Acts (cf. Felix and Festus in Acts 23:26; 24:2; 26:25). Luke was from Antioch, but traveled with Paul all over modern-day southern Europe and the Middle East. The title “most excellent Theophilus” would suggest that the Gospel was sent to some Roman center of government like Rome or Antioch. Throughout church history, some have speculated that because Theophilus means “love of God,” if you want to grow in your love for God, then reading Luke prayerfully, carefully, and repeatedly is absolutely imperative. The average person can read the entire book of Luke in about two hours.

Here is the breakdown of our study for the winter:

Jan. 15 — Living in the Dust of the Rabbi — Luke 5:1-11; 27-32; 6:12-16

Jan. 22 — Overview of Luke — Luke 1:1-5

Jan. 29 — Baptism of Jesus — Luke 3:1-23

Feb. 5 — Temptation of Jesus — Luke 4:1-13

Feb. 12 — Jesus’ Inauguration into Ministry — Luke 4:14-21

Feb. 19 — What is This Teaching? — Luke 4:22-30

Feb. 26 — Demons — Luke 4:31-44

Mar. 4 — If You Are Willing! — Luke 5:12-26

Mar. 11 — Lord of the Sabbath — Luke 6:1-11

Mar. 18 — Radical Affirmationist — Doug Stevens, Guest Speaker

Doug will be our speaker at the All Church Retreat on the first weekend in May as well as focusing on equipping us for relevant, God-honoring and effective engagements with our friends, neighbors and co-workers regarding the Gospel.

Mar. 25 — Amazing Faith — Luke 7:1-10

READING PLAN:

Download the READING PLAN in PDF format

// Previous Sermon Series: The Way (10/2/11 – 11/20/11)