A Book By E. L. Bynum
These outlines are sent forth with the hope that they will be useful to dedicated Christian Workers. They are brief and simple and are not intended to be a substitute for the study of the Bible but rather an aid in the study and teaching of God’s Word.
No claim of originality is made by this writer. The material included in these outlines has been drawn from many sources over a number of years of study. They were prepared under the busy pressure of the pastorale. When they were written, the author had little or no thought of their being published in a book.
Lesson 1
The Birth of John and Jesus Foretold
Luke 1:1–25
Memory Verse: Luke 1:32
Luke, “the beloved physician” Col.4:14, missionary companion of Paul (II Tim. 4: 11; Phm. 24), and the author of the book of Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:1 and Luke 1:3), wrote the book of Luke between A.D. 63 and 68.
MATTHEW presents Christ as KING.
MARK presents Christ as SERVANT.
JOHN presents Christ as the SON OF GOD.
LUKE presents Christ as the SON OF MAN.
I. THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST FORETOLD. v. 1-25
A. The Book Of Luke Inspired Of God. v. 1-4
1. The theme is “a declaration of those things most surely believed among us.” v. 1
2. Luke as well as the other writers received their information by firsthand and by direct revelation from God. No errors or mistakes are to be found. They supplement but never contradict any of the other writings to be found in the Bible. v. 1, 2. II Tim. 3:16; II Pet. 1:19-21
3. We are to know the “certainty” of these things. v. 4
B. Birth Of John The Baptist Announced. v. 5-25
1. The time: in the days of Herod the Great. v. 5. See Matt. 2:1 and Scofield Bible note.
2. The character of his parents. v. 6
3. Childless and old, but God was able. v. 7
4. Man of faith, busy at work. v. 8
5. Burning incense, a type of prayer. v. 9. See Deut. 33:10 and Psa. 141:2
6. A praying people and a fearful priest. v. 10-12
7. His fears quieted. v. 13
8. This separated son to be greatly used of God. v. 14-17 (Note: John the Baptist was not Elias, see John 1:21).
9. Dumbness a sign from God, because of his unbelief. v. 18-22
10. The reproach removed. v. 23-25
God raises up special men for special purposes. God used consecrated, dedicated parents to produce a great leader. John the Baptist was the forerunner of Christ, and prepared the material for the first Church. According to Acts 1 :22, all of the first apostles were baptized by John the Baptist.
Lesson 2
The Birth of John and Jesus Foretold (Part 2)
Luke 1:26–45
Memory Verse: Luke 1:32
Birth of Jesus foretold in the Old Testament: Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Micah 5:2 and many other places. Birth of Jesus foretold in the New Testament: Luke 1:26-38.
II. THE BIRTH OF JESUS FORETOLD. v. 26-45
A. Gabriel Visits Mary. v. 26-38
Birth announcements are usually made after birth. This was the most important birth ever announced. Why? There could be no salvation without this birth!!!
1. Gabriel.........mighty angel. Nazareth..........poor city. v. 26
2. “Espoused” Engaged but not married. The Jewish law held espousal or engagement to be as binding as marriage. An engagement was completed after negotiations had been carried on by the groom’s representative and the dowry money had been paid to the girl’s father. Engagement was binding but did not give the privileges of marriage. v. 27
3. “Blessed art thou among women,” favored and blessed, but not to be worshiped. v. 28
4. “Fear not.” Many times God has said this to men. v. 29,30
5. “He shall be great.” Great in His pre-existence. Great in His creation of all things. Great in His birth. Great in His sinless life. Great in His wonderful miracles. Great in His wonderful words. Great in His death. Great in His resurrection. Great in His ascension. Great in His high priestly work. Great in His Second Coming. “Son of the Highest.” He is the Son of God. “Throne...of David.” He will sit on that throne for a thousand years on this earth. v. 31,32
6. “For ever. . .no end.” His eternal kingdom. v. 33
7. “I know not a man.” Never married and had never committed fornication. v. 34. Confirms v. 27.
8. “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee.” v. 35. Christ was conceived by the Holy Ghost without the aid of man. In contrast to the pagan legends of antiquity concerning the reputed offspring of gods and men, there was no physical intervention. See Matt. 1:18-20.
9. If Mary and Elizabeth were first cousins, then Jesus and John the Baptist were second cousins. v. 36
10. The power of God. v. 37. See Matt. 19:26; Rom. 4:21
11. She was willing to risk disgrace and divorce to comply with God’s command. v. 38
B. Mary Visits Elizabeth. v. 39-45
1. Note the wonderful leadership of the Holy Spirit in all that was done. Mary believed God. Elizabeth believed God. She knew that Mary was the earthly mother of the Lord Jesus Christ, the long promised Messiah and Saviour.
2. These verses speak plainly of some of the facts of life, but it is one of the most beautiful stories ever told. How amazing, how wonderful, how precious, that God would do all of this for sinful man TRULY HIS GRACE IS AMAZING!!
Lesson 3
The Birth of John the Baptist (Part 3)
Luke 1:46–80
Memory Verse: Luke 1:76
III. THE PROPHECY OF JOHN’S BIRTH FULFILLED. v. 46-80
A. Mary’s Song Of Praise. v. 46-56
Mary’s outburst of praise may be compared to many of the songs in the Bible, but especially to that of Hannah, the mother of Samuel (I Sam. 2:1-10). See also the song of Moses and the children of Israel in Exodus 15. The song of Mary is composed of 4 stanzas of 4 lines each, except the 3rd stanza which contains 6 lines. (1) First stanza, v. 46-48: A fine example of Hebrew poetry, the expression in successive lines, of thoughts which are parallel or closely related. Example: “Soul” and “Spirit.” (2) Second stanza, v. 49,50. Centers the thought upon the character of God as revealed in His gracious gift. (3) Third stanza, v. 51-53. This furnishes another example of Hebrew poetry. Not only do we see parallelism, but past tenses are used to describe future events, as if they had already happened. (4) Fourth stanza, v. 54,55. These lines emphasize the faithfulness of God to His ancient promises which Mary sees fulfilled in the birth of her son. God has not forgotten His promises to Abraham and His seed. Only in Christ Jesus can be realized all the promises that God made to Israel or even to the Gentiles.
1. Mary magnified the Lord, not herself. v. 46
2. Mary confessed her need of a Saviour. v. 47
3. Mary confessed her low estate. ‘Handmaiden’ means ‘a female slave.’ v. 48
4. The might and holiness of God presented. v. 49
5. The mercy of God praised. v. 50
6. The proud, the mighty and the rich abased. v. 51-53. The low ones exalted, the hungry fed by the Lord. See I Chron. 29:18.
7. Israel has a place of blessing with the Lord. v. 54,55
8. Mary stayed until about the time of the birth of John. v. 56
B. The Birth Of John The Baptist. v. 57-66
1. The son born to Elisabeth at the proper time. v. 57,58. God is always on time. Other’s rejoiced with her.
2. The son was to be circumcised according to the law. v. 59-64. Only one name would do, that is the one given by God (1:13). John means “God is gracious.” The father was dumb because of unbelief, and it was through faith that his tongue was loosed.
3. The word rapidly spreads of these remarkable happenings. v.65-66
C. The Prophetic Song Of Zacharias. v. 67-80
Because Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, God could use him to give forth the truth. He calls attention to the promises God made to Abraham, and interprets them in the light of Jesus Christ. He realized that his own son was to go before the Lord and prepare the way.
1. The real purpose for the coming of Christ. v. 77
2. The tender mercy of God. v. 78. It is mercy, not justice, that is the great need of the sinner.
3. Note these other Scriptures on the subject of light. Matt. 4:16; John 8:12; 9:5; 12:35,36,46; Mal. 4:2. Also, check your cross references carefully in the Bible!
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