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 7

DAY ONE

THE SETTING

Read Luke 2:1-7

Luke is the only gospel writer who makes a point to relate his account of Jesus with world history and events. What details does he give us in 2:1-3 that help us know when and where the story takes place?

  • Who are the people in power?
  • What geographical locations are mentioned? (Google search a map of the Roman Empire under Caesar Augustus for a helpful visual)
  • Why are these important or helpful details for Luke’s audience to know? (Remember what we learned about Luke’s purpose in Luke 1:1-4)

Read verses 4-7 and note the details of the setting:

  • Where did Joseph travel from and to?
    • Look at a map to discover how far these towns are from each other. (This journey would probably have taken at least three days.)
  • Based on verse 6, approximately how much time has passed since Luke’s original introduction to Mary and Joseph in Luke 1:26-38?

Pray in Adoration / Confession / Supplication

DAY TWO

THE CHARACTERS

Read Luke 2:1-7

Luke writes this birth narrative very simply, but he uses contrast to really bring colour to the story. Think about the people mentioned in 2:1-3 and the people mentioned in 2:4-7. 

    • What details in the text help us understand the huge contrast between these characters? What is different about their power? Their wealth? Their heritage? etc

Read Gabriel’s announcement about Jesus’ birth in Luke 1:31-33 again.

    • When you compare that announcement to the account of how Jesus was born, what stands out? What do you think Luke wants us to notice about Him?

Pray in Adoration / Confession / Supplication

DAY THREE

THE TOWN OF DAVID, THE LINE OF DAVID

Read Luke 2:1-7

Luke calls Bethlehem “the town of David” and he explains that Joseph belonged to the house and line of David (he also added this detail in Luke 1:27). Let’s look at some Old Testament references to understand what Luke is referring to here and why David is so important.

Read 1 Samuel 16:1, 7-13. (Samuel was a prophet of God whom God commissioned to anoint the first kings over Israel.)

  • Where did Samuel go to find the next king? Who did he anoint?
  • When it comes to picking a king, what is important to God?
    • Does this relate to our passage in Luke 2 at all?

Read 2 Samuel 7:8-15.

  • List the promises God made to David.
  • Which of these promises point forward to Jesus?

Read David’s prayer in 2 Samuel 7:18-29. David was certain God would fulfil His promise and our text in Luke 2 is the fulfillment! Use this prayer to turn your own heart to God in praise, confession, and supplication today as you reflect on God’s faithfulness.

DAY FOUR

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY

Usually, it is important to make observations about what we learn about God in every text of Scripture. This simple story does not mention God at all by name. But read through Luke 2:1-7 again and think about how God was working sovereignly behind the scenes.

Read Micah 5:2 where we find a prophecy that God’s chosen ruler would be born there.

  • List the various people God sovereignly used to bring about the fulfillment of this prophecy.
  • What circumstances did God sovereignly use to bring about the fulfillment?
  • What does this tell you about God’s power over world leaders, events, influences and timing?

Reflect on your understanding of God’s sovereignty and plans. How does this passage challenge or encourage you as you contemplate God’s control? Take these reflections to God in prayer as you praise, confess, and ask Him to continue to grow you.

DAY FIVE

THE UNEXPECTED

Read Luke 2:1-7 one more time. Reflect on all you have read so far in Luke as we have built up to this point. In Luke chapter 1 he describes stories of angels and miracles and prophetic songs.

  • What is unexpected about his account of Jesus’ birth?
  • Why do you suppose Luke chose to record it this way?
  • What does the simplicity of the story teach us about Jesus and the way God works?

Reflect: Does the unexpected simplicity and obscurity of Jesus’ birth affect the way you celebrate this season? How can this passage help you to focus on Christ and pray in adoration, confession, and supplication?