Golden Text: “Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8.
Lesson 1.—The Forerunner of Christ. Luke 1:5–17. Golden Text: “Thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways.” Luke 1:76. Note the various incidents in connection with the birth of John the Baptist,—the annunciation of the angel and its attendant results; visit of Mary to Elizabeth, etc. Study the whole chapter. The time is about B.C. 5.
Lesson 2.—The Boy Jesus. Luke 2:40–52. Golden Text: “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52. The study should not be limited to the lesson scripture, but the whole connection from lesson to lesson should be studied, also parallel passages. Give the incidents from the annunciation to Mary to the permanent residence at Nazareth. Note the development of Jesus, his obedience to his parents, and example to children.
Lesson 3.—The Ministry of John the Baptist. Luke 3:15–22. Golden Text: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!” John 1:29. The ministry of John began somewhere near the beginning of A.D. 27. The baptism of Jesus occurred in the fall of that year. See Dan. 9:25; 8:14; Ezra 7:11–26. The years began in 457 B.C. (see margin Ezra 7), and therefore fix the date of the appearance of the Messiah. Note the comprehensive summing up of Christ’s work in Luke 3:17. John’s mission was to prepare the way, and by the aid of the Spirit of the Lord to point out the world’s Redeemer. The lesson for us to learn is that we can recognize him only by the same aid. Yet the help always comes to those who need help. Otherwise it would be of no assistance. There is therefore hope for sinners.
Lesson 4.—The Early Ministry of Jesus. Luke 4:14–22. Golden Text: “His word was with power.” Luke 4:32. After his baptism and temptation, Jesus spent several months preaching in Judea. He then returned into Galilee, where occurred the incidents recorded in this lesson. To the people of Nazareth, and also to us, his mission of mercy and love is proclaimed. The power that was in his spoken word then has never left that word all through the centuries. The same message, with the same power, is to us and for us to-day. Read, believe, and appropriate it.
Lesson 5.—The Power of Jesus. Luke 5:17–26. Golden Text: “The Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins.” Luke 5:24. The lesson sets forth the power of Jesus as illustrated by the miracles that he performed. By virtue of the same power he also forgave sins. As proof of his power to forgive sins, he healed the sick and raised the dead. The power was the same in both instances,—creative power. See Col. 1:16, 17; John 1:1–3.
Lesson 6.—The Sermon on the Mount. Luke 6:41–49. Golden Text: “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46. The lesson text shows the folly and danger of judging others and finding fault with their actions. It shows that there is only one standard,—Christ. If one is looking to him fully for guidance, there will be no place for the ambitions of the human heart.
Lesson 7.—The Great Helper. Luke 7:2–16. Golden Text: “They glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us.” Luke 7:16. Two notable miracles are described in this lesson, which show in a practical way Christ’s mission to earth. But he did not raise all the dead, nor heal all the sick. There is coming a time when he will accomplish even these things, and that will be final salvation. The mighty works that he did on earth are only earnest of the completer work. In the meantime they help our faith.
Lesson 8.—Faith Encouraged. Luke 8:43–55. Golden Text: “Thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” Luke 8:48. The special encouragement in this lesson was for Jairus, whose hopes were well-nigh shattered. There are others in deep despondency and sorrow. The Master’s help is at hand. Remember his words to Jairus, “Fear not; believe only.” Note the various parables and miracles of the chapter.
Lesson 9.—Jesus the Messiah. Luke 9:18–27. Golden Text: “This is my beloved Son; hear him.” Luke 9:35. Matthew’s account of the present conversation between Jesus and the disciples adds, after Peter’s answer, “Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 16:17. Only by the direct enlightenment of the Spirit can any one know the Saviour. See remarks on lesson 3. To the disciples also came the direct voice from the Father. Luke 9:35.
Lesson 10.—True Love to One’s Neighbor. Luke 10:25–37. Golden Text: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” Luke 10:27. The parable of the man who fell among thieves gives an answer to the question of the lawyer as to who was his neighbor. The lesson shows that whoever is in need is our neighbor, irrespective of rank, office, color, creed, or nationality.
Lesson 11.—Teaching about Prayer. Luke 11:1–13. Golden Text: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Luke 11:9. The Lord’s prayer is here given as a sample of prayer, showing that all things concerning our earthly existence are proper subjects for presentation at the throne of grace.
Lesson 12.—Faithful and Unfaithful Servants. Luke 12:37–48. Golden Text: “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” Eph. 5:18. The whole chapter is an admonition to faithful watching against the inroads of sin. This gives a preparation for whatever may come,—death, accident, or the coming of the Lord in the clouds of heaven. Carefulness in this daily training will exclude whatever dulls the perceptions, as wine, liquors, and kindred poisons. See 1 Cor. 6:19, 20.
