Luke Journal
A journal is a place to record one’s experiences on a journey—think, for example, of the writings of the world’s great explorers. Without a record of the journey, important details and discoveries of these trips would have been forgotten. The same is true for you.
Over the coming weeks, you will be reading the entire Gospel of Luke. As you read each chapter record your comments, reactions, and questions in your Luke Journal. As you meet with your mentor, your journal will be one topic of discussion. Also, if you make any discoveries share them with the group during our Sunday classes.
A few years ago, a friend named Bruce was serving as a mentor for a confirmation class. He decided to keep a Luke Journal like the confirmands. He organized his journal using the following questions/statements to guide his reflection:
What stands out for me?
What I didn’t know….
Connections I made….
Things I wondered….
I thought this was a great place to start. He shared a page from his Luke Journal. Yours doesn’t need to be as comprehensive or complete, but I hope that his journal gives you some inspiration as you write your own.
CHAPTER ONE
What stands out for me?
The faith of the women in this chapter is the thing that most strikes me in this chapter. Imagine the life changing news they both had to deal with. In Elizabeth’s case, she probably doubted that she could conceive at her age, but accepted the birth with humility and grace: “This is what the Lord has done for me….” Mary is given even more earth shattering news, yet she also had faith “let it be with me according to your word.”
Compare their reaction to that of Zechariah, who hesitates “How shall I know that this is so…?”
CHAPTER TWO
Things I wondered.
What message is God giving us in the stories of Simeon and Anna? Is it the reference to Christ’s ministry, Anna’s faith that the Messiah would come? I am not sure I understand the intent of the passage.
CHAPTER THREE
Connections I made.
Whoa. At Jesus' baptism, we have a snapshot of the Trinity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all show up. What could that mean? I wonder what the crowds thought hearing the voice of God.
CHAPTER FOUR
What I didn't know.
I didn't know that Jesus was almost thrown off a cliff at his first sermon. That's wild. I wonder why they were so mad. Why did that offend them so much?