GROW - Luke 1

In my effort to refocus on Bible Study, I find it fascinating that the creepy FB ads have started to pop up for all sorts of Bible Study sites even though I have not searched for Bible study materials.  Anyway, they are popping up frequently so I browsed through several and even put a few things in the cart.  Then I thought of all the Bible Study material I already have, including many books & workbooks only partially completed.  Rather than spending more money on new material I am instead going to revisit studies that I did not complete.  

After a very quick search, the first workbook I found that has been sitting around collecting dust is Luke - Gut-Level Compassion by Lisa Harper.    So rather than continuing to collect dust, it is time to GROW.  Note that as I work through the workbook I may also post some of the observations on this blog.  These observations are mine, although they may have been guided by the workbook and notes in my study bible and so I will attempt to make note of these as I go to give the credit where it is deserved.

I really like using the GROW method of Bible Study:

G - Go to God in Prayer 
R - Read Scripture
O - Observations
W - Write the Lesson

GROW - Luke 1

Go to God in Prayer

Read Luke 1

Observations

I am using a Study Bible that provides extra details at the beginning of every chapter. I enjoy reading through this to provide important context to the chapter. The details in this summary that stand out for me are the key themes of Luke: Salvation for all people, activity of the Holy Spirit, and Prayer.  

Keeping with the theme of the Holy Spirit - observing the Holy Spirit's activity:

John - v15 ...he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother's womb

Mary - v36 ...The Holy Spirit will come upon you

Jesus - v35 ...Therefore, the holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.

Elizabeth - v 39 ...the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit

Zechariah - v67 ...was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied

Write the Lesson

In just this first chapter of Luke we can see two ways the power of the Holy Spirit was received - to be filled with the Holy Spirit and for the Holy Spirit to come upon you.  The lesson for me today is that the moment I decided to pick up this specific Bible study the Holy Spirit was all over it, guiding me and filling me with the power to get back into Bible study so that I can continue to grow in God's word.  Open yourself to the power of the Holy Spirit and GROW