The Luke Challenge Takeaways

As promised, here’s your space to share any brief takeaways or reflections if you took the Luke Challenge! Share even if you were not able to get it all done in 30 days and it’s months from the time you started! This is about increasingly knowing “This Jesus,” not about following rules. Someone suggested, and I think it’s a great idea, that you not look ahead and see what other people wrote as their takeaways before you write your comment. Just write your own. Don’t feel under pressure to match what someone else has said. Some people are wordier here than others and some more flowery. That doesn’t mean they got more out of it. Some of you are suffering so deeply that simply reading it and writing down three or four words is a huge act of faith. This is about you and your own journey with Jesus through Luke’s Gospel. No competition or comparisons allowed.

Let me know if you are going on to Acts! No pressure there either! Many of you are starting other Bible studies soon and will be devoting your time to those. We love serving you here at Living Proof so much. You are tremendously loved by Christ who calls you.

Love, Beth

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122 Responses to “The Luke Challenge Takeaways”

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  1. 1
    Dana says:

    The word that I kept hearing was “authority”. I did additional study on that word and felt convicted of anything or anyone besides Jesus I have allowed to have authority in my life.
    I was struck by how radical He was.
    And I was challenged to re-evaluate my perceptions regarding wealth.

    • 1.1
      Grace B. says:

      Dana, what you said stood out to me too!! It’s amazing.
      I think I had wrong perception of authority. It really helped to see it laid plain in the life Jesus and when it was challenged as well. It made me wonder what that meant in my own life. This is something I need to revisit and ponder on.
      God bless! :-).

  2. 2
    Shelly Elston says:

    Hi Beth!
    I finished the Luke challenge last week and it blessed me so much. I looked forward each morning to reading the chapter for that day and digging a little deeper. It’s not a book I’ve studied on its own before. I just looked through my notes and was struck by the number of times I wrote “Jesus reminds us…” To pray. To be good stewards with our time and talents. To forgive. To not be the reason another sins. And I loved reading in Luke 24:41 when Jesus appeared to the disciples after his resurrection and asked them “Do you have anything here to eat?” It was such a human question and one that we would ask our friends. It just jumped out to me and made me smile. I’ll be reading Acts soon. I found it is a great addition to my quiet time and Bible study homework.
    Blessings to you!

  3. 3
    Jessica Foster says:

    Her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. i’m so thankful to Jesus for his love & mercy & grace! i’m the leper that came back & praised & gave glory to God. Thank you miss Beth! …was encouraged & built up by Jesus’s love, to be able to encourage others to run to Him. Love & prayers to you & your church family in this time of loss. God bless you!!

  4. 4
    Kimberly Dolberry says:

    I just now found out about the Luke/Acts challenge.
    Acts will be where I start as I have studied Luke several
    times. This week I will read Luke to give myself the first half.
    Is there a plan for the read or just read a chapter a day?
    My husband and I are in between churches, so I don’t have
    a ladies Bible study.

  5. 5
    Kelly says:

    I finished on August 22nd! (I only skipped one day, partly because I NEED structure and discipline when doing something like this. I love Luke and I love how he makes me love Jesus even more. I want to do this with Acts at some point (I love Paul, too!), but have too much lined up for the next few months. (a new book study, a spiritual classic I’m still working my way through, plus my normal devotional time) I enjoyed reading Luke with fresh eyes and know that I could repeat this exercise again and fill another notebook with entirely different thoughts and ideas!! Thank you for the challenge… it was just what I needed!

  6. 6
    Tara says:

    I finished the Luke Challenge and will be going on to Acts! I desperately needed something to get me excited and in the word daily. This challenge did just that for me. The parable of the mines spoke to me. A few years ago I felt like God called me to begin homeschooling my kids here in Oregon (the schools here scare me and I do not want them taught that evolution is truth). I felt like this parable spoke to me as the servant. God gave me these gifts (my children), and with that He entrusted that I will make a good “return” on His investment. When it says “For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given: and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” It has been 3 years since I started that journey and looking back, I have gained SO much! HE continues to give as long as I am faithful and diligent to do the work He has called me to. I have gained patience (takes a lot to teach young kids!), joy (nothing like watching your kids get it after working hard to learn a concept), faithfulness (if I don’t devote my all to this, my kids are the ones that suffer), and self control (I have to be responsible and do this even when I don’t want to or there are a thousand other things I would rather be doing.) It has been so worth it. I learned much more form Luke but this was the biggest. Can’t wait to start Acts!

  7. 7
    Keri Gerig says:

    I just finished Luke this morning. Several observations: The Lord loves us, died for us and came to save/heal us who are hurting, sinners. He rewarded and blessed those who came humbly to Him. He hated hypocrisy and called it out. Many missed HIM while HE was in their midst. Lord, keep me humble; quicken/prompt me when you see hypocrisy in me; help me love those you love; and PLEASE don’t let me miss you and what you are doing among us. So grateful!!

    Yes, I am moving on to Acts. Thank you Beth! Your ministry is such a blessing!!

  8. 8
    Mary says:

    All I can say is Wow! What a Savior”

  9. 9
    Jo Ann says:

    I will do the Acts Challenge.

  10. 10
    Teresa says:

    Thanks you for this challenge. It was good to read the book of Luke and wonder about my Savior.

  11. 11
    Colleen says:

    Still doing the Luke Challenge. There is so much to reflect on. I can’t get it done in 30 days. Will keep on keeping on!
    Thanks!

  12. 12
    Susan Kolb says:

    My take away is going to a quiet place to pray and spend time with God. Jesus gave and gave and gave, and then he went to a desolate, quiet place to pray. I thought when my four children were grown, there would be plenty of that quiet time. I was wrong! But event though I haven’t completely finished Luke, I have learned so much. Thank you for challenging us to read Luke. Prayers for those who will be doing Acts!
    Blessings!

  13. 13
    Jessica says:

    I’m doing the Acts Challenge

  14. 14
    Paula says:

    I just found out about this challenge…yes, I will start the Acts…looking forward to it.

  15. 15
    Peni says:

    I finished the Luke challenge over the weekend. Most days I felt like I was reading Luke for the first time – new and fresh. I plan to start Acts next – maybe at a slower pace since bible study begins soon.

  16. 16
    Constance Kempf says:

    I loved the experience of reading Luke in this challenge from Beth. It felt so much more personal to me as I prayed for the Holy Spirit’s filling. After I completed Luke, I chose to go on to John. Thank you, Beth for the wonderful, encouraging challenge and inspirational message at the conference. I am so blessed after many years as a believer to be revitalized in my reading of Scripture. Love in Him, Connie

  17. 17
    Lori says:

    I did the Luke challenge. I looked forward to my time in the mornings with Jesus. I was struck by the people Jesus drew near to and those He was harsh with. I also notice Jesus prayed a lot and if He needed to spend that much time with the Father, how much more do I? Thanks for challenging us. Instead of doing Acts, I just went straight to John. Looking forward to reading everyone’s take a ways!

  18. 18
    Linda says:

    I took the Luke challenge and it just touched my heart to the very core. Jesus never gave up
    And in His total surrender and obedience He lived out the word love. What a life changing challenge this was for me. May I honor This Jesus in the way I live out His purpose for me by the power of the Holy Spirit in me. Only by His grace can I even begin. It is just so humbling. I am thankful Living Proof offered this opportunity. I will be a part of a Bible Study on Acts beginning in September.

  19. 19
    Pattyc says:

    Of course I will do acts!!!!!!

  20. 20
    Carol Smith says:

    I am still working on the Luke challenge and then will do Acts. I also want to do the rest of the gospels as I am falling in love with Jesus in a way I never knew. I was so undone by several passages. The one that got me the most was Luke 8:11-15. That really hit me hard as I have been such a legalistic christian for most of my life. I felt the weight of that lifted and am seeing God in a whole new way. I have read most of Luke but keep going back as I spend time thinking and meditating on the verses. I have been journaling a great deal, something I have never wanted to do. I am finding that doing art with my journaling (coloring in my bible) has made The Word real for me for the first time. I am so grateful for this challenge and will continue to use this study method as I go through Acts and the gospels. I am hooked. I am also reading Breaking Free and that is an amazing book. Let me tell you, God is doing some great work in my life right now. He is cleaning out my heart and restoring my soul. THIS JESUS has changed my life!!!!!!

  21. 21
    BZ says:

    I would like to do the Acts Challenge. How does it work?

  22. 22
    Cheryl R says:

    I loved this . I did not understand how rich Luke was . I am not done . But each of the 18 chapters taught me something new about Jesus , taught me life lessons , convicted me , wanted me to know more . Helped me feel anchored in a very difficult multi dimensional transition period . I am grateful to you Beth for recognizing we needed pure word .. pure word for knowledge comfort and spiritual battles and discernment against the culture and social media . So while I am a bible study lover and yes will start a lifeway study with a group in sept. I need ( my soul needs ) to finish this and perhaps go to acts

  23. 23
    Beth Mince says:

    My only comment is I am not finished due to realizing even though I had read it, I had so many questions and thoughts I had never had before I have bogged myself down. I’m afraid it’s going to take me longer than planned but will continue the journey until I’m finished.

  24. 24
    Tracy says:

    YES! I want to participate in the ACTS portion of the Challenge.

  25. 25
    Carol says:

    I saw Jesus in a new way. What love, what compassion, what suffering. And yes I am going to do Acts and hopefully continue through new testament.

  26. 26
    Adina Berkner says:

    I will do the Acts challenge

  27. 27
    Andrea says:

    I will do the Acts challenge!

  28. 28
    Deborah Cooke says:

    I’ve finished the Luke Challenge and looked forward to each day of exploration into ‘ this Jesus’. I captured a list of words that described to me how Jesus was (and is) in all the chapters of Luke. These include: humble, forgiving, compassionate, loves through betrayal, loving, healing, patient ,providing, seeks regular solitude in nature for prayer, focused, cornerstone strength, and sacrificial. My goal in looking for His demonstration of Himself is to understand what He’s trying to transform in my nature, too. Thanks for the reminder to do Acts. I will do this in addition to the Fall studies I’m involved with now. Thanks for all you are doing and send us more challenges!

  29. 29
    Julie says:

    LOVED doing this study! Has helped me…
    -read thru Luke, which I’ve never really studied.
    -learn more about who Jesus is, what is important to Him & what His heart opposes
    -His Truth has really helped me in a season of persecution within my own home.
    -And days like Luke 12:49 brought me laughter when Jesus said, “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” Amen! It this wicked world I have felt that too!
    -I will enjoy carrying into the Acts study that is so providently occurring this fall when I take Bible Study Fellowship! They too are studying it and can be found locally and on virtual classes. I’ll be serving as a group leader and just prepping my heart with Luke will help me.
    -Finally, it has truly just helped me LOVE.MY.JESUS.❤️
    Thank you Beth & team. Can’t wait to meet u in heaven…

  30. 30
    Cynthiaealth says:

    I think the biggest takeaway for me is remembering how lonely it must have been for Jesus. The last five or six years have been very hard for me. Health issues for my parents and my daughter that have depleted my energy and my joy in life. I’ve felt so alone and it’s definitely kept me on my knees. But, in my loneliness, I forgot Jesus felt this same way. During this time, I’ve been doing bible studies and prayer groups to keep “focused on the prize” but that hasn’t helped with loneliness in the caregiving. This is a good reminder for me that Jesus knows my every emotion and he cares. Whatever I’m experiencing is nothing compared to what Jesus endured for me. He is my everything. What a Savior!

  31. 31
    Susan B. says:

    I enjoyed reading through Luke this way. Some days I had new and interesting thoughts, new views and other days no so much. But it did require me to slow down and think about the chapters in different ways. When I read the resurrection, a story I’ve read and heard so many times since childhood, I did come away with a new reflection on the many different ways the Lord reached out to his disciples. And the grace and compassion of Jesus were so evident on the pages of Luke. I have started reading through Acts the same way – anticipating new sights and wonders!

  32. 32
    Cathy Pernsteiner says:

    I’m not quite done with Luke yet but I plan to finish and go onto Acts. Thanks Beth for the challenge. Time spent in God’s Word is always so precious and I’ve needed an extra dose of it lately. This Jesus I saw was always teaching. Every opportunity He had to grow and stretch His disciples was taken. Mostly it seemed He did it with a great deal of patience and love. When it was necessary He let them have it hard. Sometimes I need that too. Right now I’m at the part where He’s come back to Jerusalem for the last time. He loves His people so much! He’s not willing that any of them should perish. And He knows how hard this is going to be yet He still keeps the steady, purposeful pace back to Jerusalem. I am overwhelmed with the love He has for me, for all of us! I’ve needed to be reminded how much I am loved. Thank you Jesus!

  33. 33
    Cindy says:

    I have been reading through the gospels again and I am so thankful for God’s Word and how it continues to change me! I will be moving on to Acts also! Thank you Beth! You have helped me so much in my Journey and I consider you a great friend even though we have never meet. God’s Blessing to you!

  34. 34
    Katy says:

    I finished last week and have moved onto Acts. One thing that really stuck out to me was Jesus’ distain for hypocrisy and support and love for those who go to Him, those who appear to be the underdog, the broken.

  35. 35
    Nancy says:

    Doing the Luke Challenge made me feel that I always need to be reading in the gospels. I am generally on some reading plan reading through the Bible, but having the stories of Jesus come alive each and every day feels so right and so important. I was in Paul’s letters when I started the Luke Challenge. The readings complemented each other very well.

  36. 36
    Tami S says:

    I really got to know Jesus more intimately reading through Luke. I’ve know Jesus since I was a baby but so much of my learning was sprinkled with a human’s view of him which came with plenty of issues. The two truths that stuck with me throughout. The first was His compassion for the human race. He didn’t make them recite anything, learn anything first, ask their thoughts on baptism, communion, etc, He just healed them, cast out the demons, loved them right where they were. His lack of condemnation/judgment was the other thing that struck me. He did neither, He healed their souls and their bodies followed. It must have been amazing to look into those eyes and see that love and compassion. I pray I can do that, put aside my judgment, condemnation of others and just love them, have compassion on them, speak His truth. I have no leg to stand on so who am I to judge anyone’s past, present or future!

  37. 37
    Shelley says:

    I got halfway through Luke, and I’m so glad I did! ❤️ “This Jesus” never fails to meet me right where I am, revealing Himself in new ways. He brings comfort and clarity and even answers to some of my deep questions. He is faithful. I’m grateful for your challenge to know Him more! We desperately need Him—our special needs daughter is going to be diagnosed with a devastating rare disease. She is already suffering, as are we. But God…He is always faithful! He is with us. And “this Jesus” will walk us through this, as He already is!

  38. 38
    Joyce Davidson says:

    I enjoyed this so much. In this season I feel as though I am seeing Jesus with new eyes. His tenderness toward women especially. His love, His protection, the worth, esteem and value He displays toward women. He’s a safe place for the vulnerable.

  39. 39
    Rhonda Mills says:

    This was an awesome Bible study! I saw things I had never noticed before when I’ve read Luke in the past. I became so excited each day to learn more about “this Jesus” in the scriptures! Oh the beauty and wonder of my Lord. I will do the Acts study!

  40. 40
    Lynne says:

    I’m joining in for Acts!

  41. 41
    Melanie Hubbard says:

    Beloved Beth, I cannot thank you enough for this Luke Challenge. It has blessed me more than I can express. I am so excited to say that I have one chapter left to be finished. I have so many pages of notes it is laughable. But in trying to come up with my take away what I am remembering is that everything changed when Jesus came, and everything changed when Jesus was resurrected. Jesus changes everything! I was very struck by those who desired religion over the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is alive and active today. Jesus is still desiring to come into every situation and change everything. The Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, is active and present and desiring our surrender and submission to the desires of God’s heart and to the Spirit of God. I want to be one who is focused on the desire of my Father’s heart just as Jesus was. I want to be one who is humble, submitted and teachable so that I can follow this Jesus; who desires, who invites the Kingdom of God to come into every situation. Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit, I want to be full of this same Holy Spirit. I want to rest in His ability to change everything.

    I am very excited because an international Bible study I’m involved in is just about to begin the year-long study of Acts. So I will be joining thousands of others world-wide to study this book. As soon as I read your challenge, I realized it was the perfect preparation. So, thank you Beth!

  42. 42
    Sara says:

    I was at the Eugene conference and took the challenge. My niece and I did it together and what a blessing. Every day at the end of our journaling we would write a statement about “This Jesus” so at the end we had 24 reasons to choose “This Jesus” and compared our notes, which many of them were the same. We never missed a day as both of us were drawn to the word and honestly I can’t remember the last time I read the word 24 days in a row. We began talking about what was the next book and decided on Acts and we are now on Acts 6. Love how God works that you challenged us to do Acts next and we were already doing it. Thank you for your encouragement and the prompting from the Holy Spirit to challenge us.

  43. 43
    Cindy says:

    The Luke challenge has really blessed me. I look forward to spending time in God’s word and listening for Him to speak to me. I will definitely do the Acts challenge as well!

  44. 44
    Kathy Ray says:

    I am loving this Luke challenge. It was new to me to think about and wonder how these events in this Jesus’s life made him feel. It has been for the most part a praise for what this Jesus has done in my life, and prayer for what I want this Jesus to transform in me. I got started late so not far in to the Chapter yet. I have to say the Holy Spirit moves me to tears most days.

  45. 45
    BeckyB says:

    Very grateful for your Luke challenge. God is such a genius… I’ve struggled for years with misinterpreting/not understanding some of Jesus’ words in the Gospels and the challenge helped me dive back in with a daily prayer for revelation, eyes opened, mind to be given understanding. I haven’t read a chapter a day, though, because I am taking time to wrestle through many of the places I need God’s perspective. So I’m on Chap 18 but am pressing on and God is faithfully helping me see Jesus more clearly – THIS Jesus! Love you Beth and pray for you often.

  46. 46
    Nicole says:

    This really helped me look at the scriptures in more of a personal way. I felt more of a connection to the Lord and communication with my life personally. I pondered what the feel, context and relationship more than I have in the passed. I felt more of a personal connection. I have had some personal questions I have been pondering for the last several months and I felt like the Lord gave me more clarity. I want to keep incorporating this technique into my daily Bible reading.

  47. 47
    Juanita Butler says:

    Good Morning LPL. I continue to read the Gospel of Luke. I am inspired to continue by the out pouring of the Holy Spirit on my life. Through the reading of Luke This Jesus is helping me to love others as HE loves them: With all my heart,soul, mind and strength. Look forward to continuing this Challenge and then reading Acts.

  48. 48
    Connie Hirschy says:

    I have not finished it yet started late, but working on it. God’s word is amazing, always something to learn or be reminded of. He knows our thoughts, always prayer an important part of his life communication with the Father. Went to the synagogues and was teaching there, so much more, such an awesome God we serve. Thanks for the challenge.

  49. 49
    Zoe Delk says:

    I did leave my message when I finished my challenge but I did want to mention one more thing. There at the last when Jesus showed himself to his apostles and asked them for something to eat, I got a little tickled at picturing the whole scene, seeing the looks on everyone’s faces and their reactions. I wondered if it tickled Jesus as well? Beth I pray this doesn’t seem disrespectful because I surly don’t/ didn’t mean for it to be. I couldn’t help myself. I know it was a very important part of Jesus ministry just before He ascended. I love this Jesus with all my heart and He knows it.
    Thank you for listening.

  50. 50
    Michelle says:

    1) Luke 15, how many times the word REJOICE is used, when speaking of sinners being reconciled to God ♡♡♡ HCSB

    2) AND THE OLDER I GROW SPIRITUALLY -I LOVE, LOVE LOVE Jesus rebuking the Pharisees. BUT now, I also can feel compassion for them at the same time because of interaction with one’s at our church.

    3) YES, on Acts challenge, we just completed it in our Lifegroup , too! After 3 years

    Thank you, Beth AND LPM Women of the Word ♡

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