Skip to main content
SERMON SERIES

To Whom it May Concern

Proof Worth Reading

Weekly Lineup

WEEK 1

The Preface

Luke 1:1–4

WEEK 2

The Waiting

 Luke 1:5–10

WEEK 3

The Promise

Luke 1:11-17

WEEK 4

Announcement to Mary

Luke 1:26–38

WEEK 5

Mary Visits Elizabeth

Luke 1:39–45

Community Groups
Discussion Guide

1. Opening Up: Outside Looking In

Miles described feeling like an outsider at Liberty, even while surrounded by thousands of Christians.
Have you ever been in a place where you felt like you didn’t belong, even though you were technically included? What made you feel that way?

2. Is This Story Actually True?

Luke carefully investigated the life of Jesus so that Theophilus could have certainty about what he had been taught.
When it comes to your faith, have you ever wrestled with doubts or questions about whether Christianity is actually true? What helped you work through those questions, or what questions are you still working through?

3. From Knowing to Following

Miles said, “Christianity doesn’t start with a feeling. It starts with a sighting,” and explained that the eyewitnesses became servants of Jesus. What’s the difference between believing that Jesus is real and actually following Him? Where do you see that difference in your own life?

1. When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned

Miles opened by sharing a moment when he felt overwhelmed by something God had called him to do. Have you ever found yourself in a season where you thought, “God, I didn’t ask for this”? What helped you navigate that season?

2. Faithful, Yet Still Hurting

Zechariah and Elizabeth were described as righteous and blameless, yet they carried the pain of an unanswered prayer for decades. Why do you think we sometimes assume that if we’re following God faithfully, life should go more smoothly? How does their story challenge that assumption?

3. What Do You Do While You Wait?

The promise doesn’t skip the pain. It forms you in it. Waiting on God can be difficult, especially when we don’t understand what He’s doing. What is the hardest part of waiting for you? How can we remain faithful when we don’t have the answers or the outcome we hoped for?

1. Faithful in the Waiting

Miles shared how God was preparing him for ministry long before he could see what was ahead. Zechariah and Elizabeth also waited years for an answer to prayer. Have you ever looked back on a season of waiting and realized God was preparing you for something you couldn’t see at the time? How does that change the way you approach what you’re waiting on now?

2. Fearless in the Answer

Miles said, “Fear has a way of blinding us,” sometimes keeping us from seeing what God is already doing. What fears or assumptions can make it difficult to recognize God’s work in our lives? What might it look like to trust Him even when His timing or answer isn’t what we expected?

3. Turn Your Heart Toward Jesus and Others

John was sent to prepare people for Jesus by turning their hearts back to God and toward one another. Miles challenged us to consider whether we’ve drifted from God or become distracted from the people He’s placed in our lives. Is there an area of your relationship with God or with someone in your life that needs your attention right now? What’s one practical step you can take this week to turn your heart back in that direction?

 
 
 
1. Faith in the Waiting

Have you ever prayed for something for so long that you stopped expecting God to answer? Looking back, have you ever missed or overlooked the ways He was working?

2. Our Reality vs. God’s Character

Zechariah focused on his circumstances, while Elizabeth recognized God’s hand even without a sign. Where are you tempted to let your current reality limit what you believe God can do?

3. Called, Concealed, Commissioned

Miles described hidden seasons as times when God prepares us for what’s ahead. Are you in a season of preparation right now? How might God be using this season to grow your faith or shape your character?

Music

Worship all week with our TC3 worship playlist.

More on Luke

The Gospel of Luke is traditionally attributed to Luke, a physician and companion of the apostle Paul.

Luke never names himself directly in the Gospel, but here’s why early Christians attributed it to him:

  • He was a careful researcher. In Luke 1:1–4, the author explains that he carefully investigated the events surrounding Jesus’ life and wrote an orderly account so readers could have certainty about what they had been taught.
  • He traveled with Paul. Sections of Acts, which is also traditionally attributed to Luke, shift into first-person plural (“we”), suggesting the author traveled alongside Paul.
  • Early church tradition identifies Luke. Early Christian writers identified Luke as the author of both the Gospel of Luke and Acts.
Events of Luke:

Approximately 6–4 BC to AD 30–33, from Jesus’ birth through His resurrection and ascension.

Written:

Most scholars date the Gospel of Luke to around AD 80–90, though earlier dates are possible.

Luke was writing in the context of the Roman Empire, when Judea was under Roman rule and Jewish people were living under foreign political power. Many were longing for God to fulfill His promises and send the promised Messiah. Luke presents Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises and the Savior not just for Israel, but for all people.

Luke opens with a formal introduction (Luke 1:1–4), explaining that he carefully investigated eyewitness accounts to write an orderly narrative. His Gospel is the first part of a two-volume work, followed by Acts, which tells how the message of Jesus spread through the early church. Luke emphasizes Jesus’ compassion for outsiders, the poor, women, and Gentiles, showing that salvation is available to all people.

The book of Luke matters because it gives us a carefully investigated account of Jesus’ life, showing that Jesus is the promised Savior who came for all people.

  • It builds confidence in the truth. Luke wants readers to know what they believe is trustworthy (Luke 1:1–4).
  • It reveals the heart of Jesus. Luke highlights Jesus’ compassion for outsiders, the overlooked, the poor, and those far from God.
  • It shows God’s faithfulness. Jesus fulfills God’s promises and brings salvation to His people and the world.

It invites us into the story. Luke challenges us to consider not only whether the story of Jesus is true, but whether we will respond to Him.

Luke helps us see that the story of Jesus is historically grounded, rooted in God’s promises, and personally relevant to every person.

DEEP DIVE

More Resources

COMMENTARY

James (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on The New Testament series Book 16)

COMMENTARY

Philippians 2:19-4:23 (Evangelical Exegetical Commentary)

COMMENTARY

Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (13 book series)