luke – Nick Chellsen

Advent Week 4: The Opposite of Fear

Advent Reading Plan: Luke 2:1-21 Have you ever noticed that in the Bible, when angels appear to people, their first words are often, “Do not be afraid”? We see this in the angelic messages to Mary (Luke 1:30), Zechariah (Luke 1:13), and the shepherds (Luke 2:10). To be fair, if the angels looked like theContinue reading “Advent Week 4: The Opposite of Fear”

Advent Week 3: What Have You Stopped Praying For?

Advent Reading Plan: Luke 1:5-25 “What have you stopped praying for?” That’s the question that comes to mind when I read the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth in Luke 1:5–25. In verse 13, an angel appeared to Zechariah and said, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bearContinue reading “Advent Week 3: What Have You Stopped Praying For?”

Advent Week 2: How to Hear From God

Advent Reading Plan: Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-25 One thing I’ve always found interesting about the Christmas story in the Bible is how God foretells Jesus’ birth in different ways with both Mary and Joseph. In Luke 1:26-38, Mary is visited by an angel. The angel told her “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have foundContinue reading “Advent Week 2: How to Hear From God”

Maundy Thursday: What does “maundy” mean?

Holy Week Reading Plan: Matthew 26 Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus’ last meal with his disciples. The Last Supper is documented in Matthew 26:17-30, Luke 22:7-38, Mark 14:12-26 John 13: 1-38. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin word meaning “command” and refers to Jesus’ command to wash feet. In John’s account of the Last Supper,Continue reading “Maundy Thursday: What does “maundy” mean?”

Palm Sunday: Let’s Talk About Flipping Tables

Holy Week Reading Plan: Matthew 21:1-17 “Jesus flipped tables!” You’ve probably heard Christians use this as justification when they act out in anger. All four gospels document the story of Jesus flipping tables and cleansing the temple (Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48; John 2:13-16). It’s important to note that Jesus flipping tables was notContinue reading “Palm Sunday: Let’s Talk About Flipping Tables”

Why Expectations Are Important

Setting expectations is about helping your team know what they need to do. When we look at the leadership of Jesus, we see His disciples knew what was expected of them. An example of this is when Jesus instructs His disciples to take up their crosses Luke 9:23 reads, “Whoever wants to be my discipleContinue reading “Why Expectations Are Important”

How Many Miracles Did Jesus Perform in the Bible?

There are 23 healing miracles and 3 resurrection miracles documented between the four Gospels. This list is just the healing and resurrection miracles. It doesn’t include the miraculous signs Jesus performed, such as turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). There were also miracles and miraculous signs that were undocumented. John concluded his Gospel by stating:Continue reading “How Many Miracles Did Jesus Perform in the Bible?”

How Many Parables Did Jesus Teach?

There are 40 parables in the Gospels. A parable is a short story that teaches a spiritual principle. Jesus used these short stories to teach His disciples. One of the benefits of parables is that people remember stories. Even non-Christians are likely to have heard of “The Prodigal Son” or “The Good Samaritan.” Consider how youContinue reading “How Many Parables Did Jesus Teach?”