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Uncovering the Life of Jesus





Uncovering the Life of Jesus: Six encounters with Jesus from the Gospel of Luke by Rebecca Pippert

Rebecca has written a winsome and wise bible study on six encounters with Jesus in Luke’s gospel.  The bible study opens with a question that focuses the reader on the topic displayed in the passage.  Next, there is an outline of historical context that situates the student in the biblical world but also how this is seen today.  The passage is then listed alongside some inductive questions that flow straight from the text.  Near the end, there is quote that goes along with the major themes, sometimes from C.S. Lewis or other excellent writers. 

What I most enjoyed about this study is how Rebecca gave us a glimpse into the initial audience of the text in the first century.  She is careful to get as thinking about what the initial readers might have thought of these stories, including their perceptions about the religious leaders of the day, their astonishment at the healing ministry of Jesus, and the way Jesus turned their lives upside down.  Further, Rebecca is constantly pulling us back to see Jesus as bringing the hope of God in his concrete teaching and healing ministry. 

Also, the tone of the book is designed for those getting acquainted with Luke’s Gospel but also for those really seeking the truth about Jesus.  Rebecca raises questions concerning who Jesus is for her readers, including focusing on who the centurion thought Jesus was, and how seeing Jesus as fully divine and fully human changes the course of a person’s life.  Further, Rebecca combines the idea that what we believe really matters and has consequences for how we live in this world as Christians.  Lastly, Rebecca helps her readers really get into the text of the Bible, not someone else’s opinion but the Word of God itself, and this pays dividends in an eternal way.


Thanks to the good book company and Cross Focused Reviews for this bible study book in exchange for an honest review.

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