Dear Theophilus: A 40-Day Devotional Exploring the Life of Jesus through the Gospel of Luke (ebook)
Dear Theophilus: A 40-Day Devotional Exploring the Life of Jesus through the Gospel of Luke (ebook)
Dig into the book of Luke like never before.
Explore the Gospel of Luke like never before.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk alongside Jesus during his time on earth? In this insightful Bible study, you will discover the heart of Christ and the profound impact he had on those around him.
Embark on a transformative 40-day journey through the book of Luke with DEAR THEOPHILUS, a captivating Bible study by Peter DeHaan.
Through 40 key passages, delve deep into the life of Jesus, gaining fresh perspectives and practical insights that will shape your faith and transform your daily walk with God.
From the moment of Jesus's arrival to his ultimate victory over death, each chapter of DEAR THEOPHILUS offers a thought-provoking exploration of Luke’s biography of Jesus. You'll witness the miracles, teachings, and profound moments of Jesus's life in a whole new light.
Whether you're seeking to deepen your understanding of the Bible or longing for a closer relationship with Jesus, this Bible study is a must-read.
Embark on a spiritual journey that will renew your hope, strengthen your faith, and draw you closer to the heart of God.
Discover the certainty of Christ's love and sacrifice for you as you immerse yourself in DEAR THEOPHILUS. Get ready to experience the timeless truths of the Gospel of Luke in a way that will leave you forever changed.
This Bible study is perfect for both personal reflection and group study. Bonus sections enhance your understanding of key themes and passages in the book of Luke.
Start your journey of discovery and embrace the life-transforming power of Jesus.
Get your copy of DEAR THEOPHILUS today.
[This book has also been published as That You May Know.]
---------------------------------------------
How it works. It’s as easy as 1-2-3:
1. Complete your purchase here.
2. You’ll receive an email from BookFunnel to download or access your book. (Click the “help” link in the email if you have questions.)
3. Start reading right away on any device.
40-Day Bible Study Series, book 1 (but you can read in any order)
If you have questions about ordering, check out our FAQs.
View full detailsWould you like to read a sample?
Click here to read a sample
Who Is Luke?
Paul is the most prolific writer in the New Testament. Who’s second? That would be Dr. Luke.
Luke wrote a biography of Jesus, called “The Gospel According to Luke” (or simply “Luke”). Later he reported on the activities of the early church in “The Acts of the Apostles” (or just “Acts”). These two books account for about 25 percent of the content in the New Testament and give us valuable historical information about Jesus and his followers. Luke’s writing provides a compelling two-book set that can inform our faith and enlighten the practices of our church community.
Luke was a doctor and the only non-Jewish writer in the New Testament. As such, his words are that of an outsider, which may more readily connect with those on the outside, that is, non-Jews. This includes me, and it may include you. Luke wrote with simple, yet captivating, language. He also gives us details not found in the other three biblical biographies of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, and John).
However, despite having penned two major books in the Bible—and the longest two in the New Testament—we don’t know much about Luke. He’s only mentioned three times in the Bible.
This is what we know:
First, we learn that Luke is a dear friend of Paul. Next, he’s a doctor. Third, he’s esteemed by Paul as a fellow worker. Last, in one of his darker hours, Paul laments that everyone is gone, and only Luke has stayed with him. As such, we see Luke as a faithful, persevering friend. Luke emerges as a man of noble character.
We also know that Luke is a firsthand observer in many of the events he records in the book of Acts. We see this through his first-person narratives in some passages when he uses the pronoun “we.” (Read more about Luke and the book of Acts in this book’s sequel, Tongues of Fire: 40 Devotional Insights for Today’s Church from the Book of Acts.)
Although Luke wasn’t a church leader or an apostle, his contribution to our faith and our understanding of Jesus and his church is significant. Dr. Luke’s ministry function wasn’t leading or preaching. Instead, he played a silent and almost unnoticed supporting role.
Though his work was quiet, his legacy lives on, loudly influencing Jesus’s followers two millennia later.
What can we do to leave a faith legacy that will influence others after we die?
[Discover more in these passages about Luke in Colossians 4:14, Philemon 1:24, and 2 Timothy 4:11. Read Luke’s first-person accounts in Acts 16:10–17, 20:4–15, 21:1–18, 27:1–29, 27:37, and 28:1–16.]
* * *
1. So That You May Know
Luke 1:1–4
. . . so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:4)
It’s easy to miss the first four verses in the book of Luke. In many Bibles, this passage carries the heading of “Introduction.” Most people skip introductions. I know. I usually do.
Even if we read these first four verses, we typically read them fast. We want to get to the good stuff about John the Baptist that starts in verse five, so we can get to the really good stuff about Jesus that starts in chapter two.
We need to slow down.
Luke starts his book admitting that many others have undertaken the task of writing about the life of Jesus. We don’t know if they finished their works or what happened to their writings, but we do know Luke wants to write his own account—one thoroughly researched and backed by eyewitnesses to what Jesus said and did.
As a non-Jew, Luke carries with him the detached perspective of a religious outsider. And as a doctor he possesses the training to note details and create an accurate record. He confirms that he carefully investigated everything to write an orderly account about Jesus.
Why?
For Theophilus.
Who?
The Bible tells us nothing about Theophilus, but Luke addresses both his books to this mysterious person. The reason is significant. Luke wants Theophilus to know—for certain—the things he was taught.
Think about that.
People told Theophilus about Jesus. Perhaps Theophilus believes, but maybe he still isn’t convinced. He might carry a tinge of doubt about this Jesus, the man who changed religion into a relationship. It’s so countercultural that it’s revolutionary. Regardless, Luke feels it’s worth his time to help Theophilus know Jesus—for sure.
If you’ve ever had doubts—and, if we’re being honest, we all have at one time or another—wouldn’t it be amazing to know for sure? Who wouldn’t want to chase away lingering worries about our faith and replace them with confident conviction? That’s Luke’s goal. And that’s precisely why we should read the book of Luke.
This is a grand undertaking that Luke made. Not only did he spend time writing a book, but even more so, he did the required research.
Luke’s biography of Jesus is the longest book in the New Testament, at just under 20,000 words. His sequel, “The Book of Acts,” is the second longest. Together they’re almost the length of a short novel. That’s a lot of words, a lot of writing, and a lot of research.
Though Luke writes this book with one person in mind, Theophilus, it’s available for us two thousand years later. Like Theophilus, we too can read Luke’s account of Jesus so that we can know for certain the things we’ve been taught.
Would we be willing to research and write a book for just one person? What other things can we do to help others be sure of their faith?
[Discover more about Theophilus in Acts 1:1–2. Read why John wrote his biography about Jesus in John 20:31.]
Meet Author Peter DeHaan
Peter DeHaan, PhD, often makes religious people squirm, but spiritual seekers cheer. He’s not trying to be provocative, but he seeks truth, even if it makes some people uncomfortable. He yearns for Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.
Peter earned his doctorate, awarded with high distinction, from Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary. He lives with his wife in beautiful Southwest Michigan and wrangles crossword puzzles in his spare time.
-
Women of the Bible: The Victorious, the Victims, the Virtuous, and the Vicious (ebook)
Regular price $6.99 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$15.99 USDSale price $6.99 USDSale -
Jesus’s Broken Church: Reimagining Our Sunday Traditions from a New Testament Perspective (ebook)
Regular price $6.99 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$13.99 USDSale price $6.99 USDSale -
The Passion of Jesus: A Devotional to Celebrate Lent and Move Toward Easter (ebook)
Regular price $4.99 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$13.99 USDSale price $4.99 USDSale -
Martin Luther’s 95 Theses: Celebrating the Protestant Reformation in the 21st Century (ebook)
Regular price $4.99 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$12.99 USDSale price $4.99 USDSale