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John the forerunner of Jesus foretold

Luke 1:1-20

  • Session: 1
  • Week: 1
  • Day: 1
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Introduction

Outcomes for Luke: Jesus is the perfect MAN

The book of Luke is a story, or an account of the perfect Man (Jesus), written by a Greek man-doctor, Luke, to a Greek person called Theophilus. This detailed discipleship manual was meant to help the reader in answering the question, “Who do you say I AM? “?. The book of Luke is a follow-up account to help the reader confirm what he had heard. Through careful explanation, the “? get audience slowly had their eyes of understanding opened, through the process of 1. Believing in Jesus as a perfect man, 2. belonging to Jesus, 3. becoming like Jesus, 4. bearing fruit for Jesus.

As a general connection, the book of Matthew emphasizes more of what Jesus said, Mark emphasizes what Jesus did, Luke’s emphasis is on what Jesus felt, and John’s is on who Jesus is. The revelation about Jesus helps us to overcome the Limitations caused by threefold ignorance (Hosea 4:6) of not knowing the truth about the humanity and divinity of Jesus, rejecting the revealed truth, and forgetting the truth. In our study, we are to experience the threefold blessing of Reading, listening, and obeying the written and revealed Word about Jesus being the Messiah, the Son of God.

Introduction

In this session, Luke 1: 1-20, we focus on understanding the purpose of writing to one disciple to show him the certainty of what he had heard about the good news, about Jesus Christ. We are warned about doubting the revelation given about the good news of God becoming a man for men.

Objectives

By the end of this session, the learner will have:

  • Understood the principles of the priesthood of all believers by looking at the example of Zacharias
  • Appreciated that our responses to God’s revelation are more important than the revelation itself in determining what will happen to us, as a priest.
  • Understood that the principle of communication is determined by the principle of commitment

Outline

  • God answers your prayer in his timing
  • Consequences of doubting God
  • Communication dynamics (from God to us and between ourselves)

Group Study Time

Luke 1:1-20

Connecting

  • Gather with two or more people for a community discovery bible study session.
  • Start with a heartfelt prayer, inviting God to guide and bless your understanding.
  • Explore the passage by reading it at least twice, using different Bible versions if available, then retell the story together as a group.
  • Reflect and share the challenges and blessings you experienced from the previous study.

Comprehending

  • List all the people mentioned in this story.
  • Read Luke 1: 1-4. Who wrote this account? Who was it written to? Why was this book written to this disciple?
  • Who is a priest? What is the main purpose of the priesthood? Read Luke 1: 5-10. List five things revealed about Priest Zachariah and his wife.
  • Read Luke 1: 11-17. Describe the events of this one day when an angel of the Lord visited Zacharias? List down five specific revelations given to priest Zacharias about his son John by the angel of the LORD.
  • Read Luke 1: 18-20. How did Zacharias the priest respond to the good news from God through the angel? List three reasons why Zacharias was unable to speak until the child was born.

Committing

  • Engage with the Bible—read, study, memorize, meditate, pray, listen, and live it out.
  • List three lessons you have learnt as an agent of change that you would like to put into practice and teach others about.
  • Take time and worship Jesus with the attributes revealed about Christ.
  • Use the SPACEPETS model, to assist you in putting God’s word into practice. Look for:
    • Sin to confess
    • Promise to claim
    • Attitude to change
    • Command to keep
    • Error to change
    • Prayer to make
    • Example to copy
    • Truth to obey and
    • Something praiseworthy

Communicating

  • Identify one person you can connect with and share the valuable insights and lessons you gained from this session.
  • Reach out to a new believer—either in person or by phone—and pray with them to support them through their challenges, including any concerns about attending church.
  • Create a new group and guide others through this study to help them grow in their understanding.

Post Lesson Teaching Summary

Great job completing the study! Take a moment to listen to this summary to reinforce your group’s understanding of the text and ensure you’re all on the same page. We’re here to support your learning journey!

John the forerunner of Jesus foretold

Luke 1:1-20

Luke 1:1-20

Context

  • The Gospel of Luke provides divine instructions and communication as good news for prisoners, captives, and those in exile, marking the greatest such period in history.
  • God’s people have repeatedly faced captivity, slavery, and exile, with God sending deliverers like Moses, Joshua, judges, and kings to rescue them.
  • Luke, a doctor and companion of Paul, writes an orderly account to Theophilus based on eyewitness reports, covering events from the beginning.

Purpose and Announcement of John’s Birth (Luke 1:1-20)

  • Luke’s Investigation and Purpose: Many have undertaken to compile narratives of fulfilled events from eyewitnesses and ministers of the word; Luke, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, writes an orderly account for Theophilus to know the certainty of teachings received.
  • Zechariah and Elizabeth: In Herod’s time, Zechariah (priest of Abijah division) and Elizabeth (descendant of Aaron) are righteous, blameless observers of commandments, but childless as Elizabeth is barren and both advanced in years.
  • Angel’s Appearance to Zechariah: During Zechariah’s temple incense duty (chosen by lot), angel Gabriel appears at the right side of the altar; Zechariah is startled and gripped by fear, but the angel says not to be afraid—prayers heard, Elizabeth will bear a son named John.
  • John’s Role and Characteristics: John will bring joy and gladness, many will rejoice at his birth; he will be great in the Lord’s sight, never drink wine or fermented drink, filled with Holy Spirit from birth; he will turn many Israelites to the Lord, go in Elijah’s spirit and power to turn fathers’ hearts to children, disobedient to wisdom of the just, and prepare people for the Lord.
  • Zechariah’s Doubt and Consequence: Zechariah asks how he can be sure, citing his and Elizabeth’s age; Gabriel identifies as standing in God’s presence, sent to bring good news—Zechariah will be silent and unable to speak until the day this happens, because he did not believe the words that will be fulfilled.
  • Aftermath: Zechariah emerges from temple unable to speak, people realize he saw a vision; he remains mute and completes service before returning home.
  • Purpose: God seeks human flesh to incarnate His work on earth; John’s role is to bring people back to God, addressing family, church, and societal problems in the greatest exile.

Application

  • Recognize God’s deliverance from enemy captivity through promised figures like John, who turns hearts and prepares for the Lord; respond to divine announcements with belief to avoid consequences like doubt-induced silence.
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How to use these studies

These lessons are designed as short, 25-minute studies based on Bible truths, and meant for self-learning or small group study. The study sets systematically cover different books of the Bible. 

Each lesson follows a simple structure:

  • Introduction (Including the outline and objectives)
  • Step 1: Connecting
  • Step 2: Comprehending
  • Step 3: Committing
  • Step 4: Communicating

These sections include questions to help you reflect on the bible passage and how it applies to your life. 

Use these lessons to disciple others by journeying together over time and allowing God’s word to penetrate your heart and bring transforming change to your life. As a leader, pray for wisdom in leading and for modelling the truths in your own life.

Sharing offline

  • Mobile Friendly PDF
  • Print Friendly PDF
  • Full Study PDF

Each lesson has three buttons allowing you to download a easily saveable and shareable PDF version of the study. You can choose either a Mobile-friendly PDF version, and Print-friendly PDF version, or a print version of the Full Study PDF (for example all the lessons in the current book of the Bible).

These are free and can be easily copied and shared from one person to another!

Gathering a Small Group

Start small to build a safe space for sharing and growth.

  • Pray first: Ask God to show you 3-6 people who need encouragement in faith, like family, neighbors, or fellow believers facing hardship.
  • Invite personally: Meet one-on-one, explain how the lessons are designed to help people grow in their faith and knowledge of God and his Word.
  • Keep it simple: Meet in a home or quiet spot; no need for fancy setup – just willing hearts.
  • Aim for consistency: Suggest weekly meetings, but be flexible for busy lives or safety concerns in persecuted areas.

Trust helps everyone open up, reflect, and apply truths without fear.

  • Start with sharing: In the first meeting, share simple stories of your own faith struggles to show vulnerability.
  • Set ground rules: Agree to listen without judging, keep stories private, and focus on encouraging each other.
  • Build bonds: Begin each session with a short prayer or song inviting God to be present with you.
  • Be patient: Trust grows over time – encourage quiet members gently, and celebrate small steps of honesty.

Good preparation makes the lesson flow and helps discipleship.

  • Read ahead: Study the lesson before; pray over the Bible passage and think how it fits your group’s challenges.
  • Adapt for the group: Use simple words; if literacy is low, read aloud slowly and explain questions or stories.
  • Gather basics: Have a Bible (in your language) and paper for notes.
  • Reflect personally: Ask yourself the study questions first – lead from your own growth and experience.
  • Pray: Pray for your group members.

Guide the group through the lesson structure to encourage discovery and commitment.

  • Step 1 – Connecting: Start the group meeting by praying together. Thank God for his Word and ask for open hearts to receive it. Read the Bible passage together (Read it aloud twice; ask someone to repeat in their words.)
  • Step 2: Comprehending: Use the provided questions to help you grapple with the truth of the Bible passage.
  • Step 3 – Committing: Consider how the passage might apply to your lives and what simple steps of obedience you can commit to. The goal of these studies if life-change! Not just knowledge!
  • Step 4 – Communicating:  Think of who you can share the truths you have learned with.
  • Close with Prayer: Let group members pray short prayers of thanks or commitment. Pray for one another.

For many of the lessons, there is a short summary teaching voice-note at the end of the lesson (together with a text summary). This is designed to be a recap and reminder of the key lessons you should have learned through the lesson. 

As a leader, you might like to use these summary teaching resources to help you in preparation for leading your group, though ideally not before you have spent time prayerfully reflecting on the passage.

This is an ongoing discipleship journey aiming to transform lives and help people to live victorious Christian lives. Focus on growth, not just finishing lessons.

  • Meet regularly: Join together at least once a week. Review past actions at each start to build accountability.
  • Encourage reflection: Between meetings, urge personal time with the lesson – read, pray, and try complete commitments made.
  • Support one another: If your group members are facing challenges, use lessons to pray together and share burdens; become “agents of change” by helping others in your community.
  • Multiply groups: As trust grows, encourage members to start their own small groups with family or friends.
  • Keep it short: Stick to 15 – 25 minutes per lesson to fit busy, challenging lives.
  • Handle challenges: If fear or hardship arise, encourage members by always pointing back to God’s love. 
  • Stay safe: In persecuted areas, meet discreetly; focus on heart change over big displays.
  • Celebrate progress: Note how people have grown in faith; allow time for sharing testimonies of what God has done. Take note of what you pray for, and give thanks when God answers prayer.

Final encouragement

Leading these lessons is serving like Jesus – humble, loving, and truthful. As you journey together, God will build growing faith into each person’s life. Pray often, and watch lives transform!

If you would like to share stories of faith from your own communities, please get in touch with us!