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: Printable Version – Luke Devotional Week 2

DAY ONE

THE SETTING: 

The Gospel of Luke is written in narrative form, so we can observe lots of characteristics of storytelling in the text. Read Luke 1:5-25 and look for phrases that describe the setting of the story.

  • When – did Zechariah and Elizabeth live according to the text? (Who was king)?
  • Where does Zechariah serve and where specifically do the events of the story take place?
  • Walk through the text and list in point form the events as they happen in order.

Pray in Adoration / Confession / Supplication

DAY TWO

THE CHARACTERS:  Read Luke 1:5-25

Today we’re going to focus on the characters of this story. Who are the people involved and what do we learn about them?

Read Luke 1:5-25

  • List what you learn about Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth.
    • What is their lineage?
    • How is their character described?
    • What is the problem they face?
    • What is Zechariah’s job?
    • What else do you notice about them from the passage?
  • Who is the angel that appears to Zechariah? What do you learn about him?

Pray in Adoration / Confession / Supplication

DAY THREE

THE ANNOUNCEMENT:  Read Luke 1:8-17

In this passage, the birth of John the Baptist is foretold by the angel Gabriel. 

  • In verse 14-15, what is unique about this child that will be born to Elizabeth? 
    • Why will many rejoice at his birth? 
    • What is he not supposed to drink? 
    • What will he be filled with? When? 
  • In verse 16-17, what does Gabriel say that John will do? What does this tell you about the people of Israel in these days? 
  • In verse 17, Luke is referencing prophecy from Malachi 3 and 4, the last chapters and verses of the Old Testament. After these words, there were 400 years in which the people of Israel heard nothing from God through prophets or angels. Read Malachi 3:1, and 4:5-6. What is the significance of Luke/Gabriel quoting these verses in reference to John’s ministry?

Pray in Adoration / Confession / Supplication

DAY FOUR

THE PROBLEM: Read Luke 1:11-25

  • The birth and ministry of John addresses two problems. 
    • What is Zechariah and Elizabeth’s main concern? How is it answered? 
    • What is the main concern of the Lord in regards to Israel? What will be John’s role in addressing this problem?
  • How does the angel’s description about John point to both his greatness and his subordinate nature? 
  • Why do you think that Luke decided to start his account of the gospel of Jesus, with the story of John the Baptist’s birth being foretold?

Pray in Adoration / Confession / Supplication

DAY FIVE

THE DOUBTER: Luke 1:11-25

  • How does Zechariah respond to the angels announcement? What does this tell you about his faith? (note verse 20)
  • How does Gabriel respond to Zechariah’s unbelief? What does this tell you about God? 
  • Notice the contrast of the “I am” statements in verse 18 and 19. What does Zechariah think is significant about himself? What does Gabriel say is significant about himself and how is this connected to his message? 
  • Reflect: Note what you observed about Zechariah in verse 6 and contrast this to his response to the angel’s good news. 
    • What characterizes your walk of faith? How do we balance obedience to all the Lord’s commands, with faith in His miraculous works? What is your response to the good news that God works miracles and can bring salvation through unexpected or unrealistic or illogical means?

Pray in Adoration / Confession / Supplication