People are passionate about baseball, music, their families, and even hockey. The most passionate learn their craft, and work hard and seek out others who share their interest. I'm passionate about Jesus. My family and friends are fine, music is the greatest thing ever, and I even like my church (sometimes), but none of those things compare to Jesus. He was perfect! He was so strong and wise and compassionate ... it's just amazing how great he was. I hope you'll find others like me/us and feed that passion in your life and form a "church" - of disciples (people of passion).

But while pursuing my passion for Jesus, I also fell in love with the bible, and sometimes my passion for the bible makes me forget Jesus. Others I know also struggle with things that distract them from Jesus (like church, family, etc.) ... let's stay focused and help each other. Now as I teach you about the bible, my passion (hopefully) will show through ... but also I hope you'll do a better job of keeping it in perspective than I sometimes do.

Now here's how to study the gospels: 1) find a good translation to work from, and two others to compare with. I recommend NASB, NIV and NRSV, but there are others. Pick yours. 2) Study one gospel at a time DON'T try to 'harmonize' them. 3) Remember Layers. Each gospel has two layers: the layer of Jesus & his audience, and the writer and his.

Now to Luke, written by a Gentile (a non-jewish person) FOR first century Gentiles. In their time, these Gentiles were 'outsiders,' and the Jews who believed in Jesus were the main group, or the majority. So Luke highlights everyone in Jesus' story who was on the fringes or were 'outsiders,' because to his audience it seemed close to one of "us." Reacing our audience today also has Jesus' layer (focused on insiders - Jews) and Luke's layer (focused on the outsiders). When we speak to "church" people or "Christians," we're working on Jesus' layer. When we speak to outsiders (those who have little or no faith in Jesus) ... we need to introduce them to things in a simpler way, like Luke.

Also we introduced the idea of the Disciple's lifecycle:

1. Curiosity/interest
2. Full commitment
3. Rebirth
4. Infant
5. Teenager
6. Young Parents
7. Full-grown shepherds

And now we'll see these stages and how Jesus produced this development in the gospel of Luke, beginning with "Preparation."