We know that Northview people love to be in God’s Word and often ask for direction on different devotional apps and reading plans.

While there are several good options available through various sources, we’d like to encourage you to join in our Northview Devotional Plan which will guide you to read and reflect on the passages preached in our weekend sermons!

We hope this will unite our congregation around the study of God’s Word, and help us to more readily absorb and apply the great teaching provided by our preaching pastors.

Each week we’ll be providing a suggested schedule for working through a passage slowly (15 minutes a day). You’ll need a Bible and a notebook or blank paper to record your observations.

Each day we include a reminder to pray. If you are new to the Adoration / Confession / Supplication method, here are some questions to help guide you as you pray:

  • Adoration: What can you praise God for today?
  • Confession: What thoughts / attitudes / actions might you need to confess to God today?
  • Supplication: What will you ask God for today?

Click here to print this week’s devotional: Luke Devotional – Week 13

DAY ONE

JESUS’ BAPTISM

Read Luke 3:21-22. Since this is such a short passage, read Luke 3:1-20 for context.

  • Based on the context of Luke 3, where did this event take place?
    • Why were “all the people” being baptized? (3:3)
  • What is the significance of Jesus being baptized as well?
    • By associating with John and his message, what is Jesus doing?

Have you been baptized or would you like to learn more about it? We invite you to visit https://northview.org/baptism to learn more and find out how/when you too can be baptized if you are a follower of Jesus Christ.

DAY TWO

THE TRINITY

Read Luke 3:21-22. Did you notice that these two little verses mention all three members of the Trinity! Let’s observe what Luke tells us about God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

  • Jesus, the Son:
    • What was he doing when heaven was opened?
    • How is he described by the voice from heaven?
    • What 3 details do we learn?
  • The Holy Spirit:
    • How does Luke describe the action of the Spirit?
    • How does Luke describe the form of the Spirit?
  • The Father:
    • How can we identify the voice from heaven as the Father?
    • What does this passage teach us about the Father?

Prayer: As you pray today, reflect on the beautiful relationship of the Trinitarian God and thank the Father that He sent His loved Son and gives us the Holy Spirit!

DAY THREE

MATTHEW’S ACCOUNT

This account is also described in the Gospel of Matthew and he gives a few more details. Read Matthew 3:11-17.

  • Where was Jesus living before coming to the Jordan River to be baptized?
  • Why did John try to deter Jesus?
    • How do verses 11-12 help clarify why John would be hesitant to baptize Jesus?
    • What does this reveal about John’s perspective of himself in relation to Jesus?
  • How did Jesus convince John to baptize him? What was motivating Jesus’ actions?

Prayer: In your prayers today, reflect on John’s humility and on Jesus’ focus to fulfill all righteousness. What might you need to confess, ask for, or praise God today in light of these things?

DAY FOUR

MARK’S ACCOUNT

Read Mark 1:4-11 where Mark describes this same story of Jesus’ baptism.

    • What differences or other details do you notice in Mark’s brief account?
    • What similarities have you noticed in all three accounts? What does this tell you about the importance of these details?
  • Read Acts 10:34-38. In this text the Apostle Peter is teaching a group of people about Jesus (after he has already died and risen again).
    • When does Peter say that the ministry of Jesus and the message of the gospel began?
    • What did God anoint Jesus with and what was the result of this anointing?
    • Why do you think that Jesus chose this moment to be the beginning of his ministry?

Prayer: In your prayers, thank God that through His Son He has brought the good news of peace from God!

DAY FIVE

THE VOICE FROM HEAVEN

There are two other times when a voice is heard from heaven speaking to Jesus in the New Testament.

  • Read Matthew 17:1-9. Summarize the event described. (Where was it, who was there, what happened?)
    • What did the “voice from the cloud” say?
    • How did the disciples react?
    • How did Jesus comfort them?
  • Read John 12:23-33. (This takes place during Jesus’ final week before the crucifixion.)
    • How is Jesus feeling in this moment? Why?
    • What does the voice from heaven say to him?
    • What were the different explanations for the voice?
  • Thinking about these three instances of God speaking from heaven, what do they reveal about God the Father and the Son, and how does this challenge or encourage you today?

Prayer: In your prayers today, thank God for sending his beloved Son to glorify His name. Ask how you too can glorify God’s name and be made more into the image of His Son as you seek to please Him.