Jesus Before Pilate - Mark 15:1-15
Understand It
- What prompted Pilate to goad Jesus about defending Himself? (15:3-4)
- How did Jesus react to the accusations raised against Him by the chief priests? (15:5)
- What finally happened to Jesus? Why? (15:15)
Apply It
- What reminder can you use this week to entrust your reputation to God each day?
The Soldiers Mock Jesus - Mark 15:16-20
Understand It
- What did the soldiers do to Jesus? (15:17-20)
- What did the soldiers say in mockery of Jesus? (15:18)
- Why did the soldiers fall on their knees before Jesus? (15:19)
Apply It
- What should be your response if you are criticized for your faith this week?
The Crucifixion - Mark 15:21-32
Understand It
- Why did Jesus not carry the cross Himself? (15:21)
- How did the people insult Jesus when He was on the cross? (15:29-30)
- What challenge did Jesus ignore? (15:31-32)
Apply It
- What is one way you can say thank you to Jesus for paying for your sins?
The Death of Jesus - Mark 15:33-41
Understand It
- What did Jesus say, "at the ninth hour"? (15:34)
- What did Jesus mean when He said that God had "forsaken" Him? (15:34)
- How did the bystanders misunderstand what Jesus was going through? (15:35)
Apply It
- When might you have to face loneliness as a part of following Christ this week?
The Burial of Jesus - Mark 15:42-47
Understand It
- Who was Joseph? (15:43)
- What risks did Joseph take in approaching Pilate? (15:43)
- What do Joseph’s actions tell us about his own understanding of Jesus? (15:43-46)
Apply It
- What step of courage can you take in serving God this week?
The Resurrection - Mark 16:1-20
Understand It
- What did the women see when they got to the tomb? (16:4)
- What did the angel tell the women to do? (16:6-7)
- Why did the women flee from the tomb and not tell anyone what they had witnessed? (16:8)
Apply It
- What can you do this week to obey Christ’s command to "preach the good news to all creation"?
There is a short introduction available for the book of Luke. You can read it here.
Introduction - Luke 1:1-4
Understand It
- On what kind of people did Luke rely for his information? (1:2)
- What credentials did Luke use to back up the trustworthiness of what he wrote? (1:3)
- What did Luke hope would be the result of this Gospel in the life of Theophilus? (1:4)
Apply It
- What difference would you like there to be in your relationship with Christ as a result of reading Luke?
The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold - Luke 1:5-25
Understand It
- What experience gripped Zechariah with fear? (1:11-12)
- Why was Zechariah rendered unable to speak until the day of the prophecy’s fulfillment? (1:19-20)
- How did Elizabeth react to Zechariah’s news? (1:25)
Apply It
- What long-term frustration can you identify in your life that needs to be entrusted to God?
The Birth of Jesus Foretold - Luke 1:26-38
Understand It
- How did Gabriel describe the child that would be born to Mary? (1:31-33)
- How did Mary’s response to the angel differ from Zechariah’s? (1:34, 38)
- What did Mary’s final statement to Gabriel show about her relationship with God? (1:38)
Apply It
- What "impossibilities" in your life do you want to thank God for this week?
Mary Visits Elizabeth - Luke 1:39-45
Understand It
- What two remarkable things happened as soon as Mary called her greeting to Elizabeth? (1:41)
- Why did Elizabeth describe herself as "favored"? (1:43)
- Who was blessed? (1:45)
Apply It
- What older Christian could you contact or visit this week to express appreciation for the help he or she has been to you?
Mary's Song - Luke 1:46-56
Understand It
- What attributes of God are extolled in the first part of Mary’s song? (1:46-49)
- How did Mary describe herself in her song? (1:47-48)
- According to Mary’s song, what kinds of people are given special treatment by God? (1:50-55)
Apply It
- In what way can you glorify the Lord and rejoice in your Savior this week?
The Birth of John the Baptist - Luke 1:57-66
Understand It
- What was the relatives’ response when Elizabeth told them the child wouldn’t be called Zechariah? (1:61)
- Why was Zechariah’s voice restored? (1:63-64)
- How did Zechariah react when his voice was restored? (1:64)
Apply It
- With what person can you celebrate a happy or joyous event this week? How?
Zechariah's Song - Luke 1:67-80
Understand It
- For whom and from what was the salvation that Zechariah described? (1:69-71, 77)
- What title did Zechariah say would be given to his son? (1:76)
- For whom was John supposed to prepare a way? How? (1:76)
Apply It
- What idea from Zechariah’s song would you most like to communicate to your family this week?
