Happy Birthday, Jesus

Luke 2:1-20
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Merry Christmas!

Luke 2:1-20
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke Bible Quiz (KJV)

How have your off season been going? Are you maintaining your knowledge of the Gospel of Luke? If you are not sure, consider clicking over here to a quickie Bible Quiz on the Gospel of Luke. The text is from the King James Version, not the NIV that we use, but it should be close enough for most of us to figure it out. Let us know how you do!

One more Bible Knowledge Test

Quiz Team may be over for the year, but your knowledge of Luke is there to stay. If you want to see how much you have learned, and how quickly you can put it to use, consider clicking over to "Speed Button" which asks you a number of Bible-Quiz-like questions in a timed test. See how many questions you can answer in 60 seconds!

Feel free to post your scores in the Chat area, so we can see who is the fastest!

Week 33: Review Luke 13-24

This week (April 16 thru April 22), please review Luke 13-24.

If you want to read the chapters online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

You should now have all 24 chapters of Luke on MP3. If you had missed any of them, and need to get them, please contact Coach Mark. Remember, they are only online for a limited time (90 days from posting).

Study Tip: We are coming up our last practice of the year. Now, it is time to think about the part of quizzing you do best, and focus on that to sharpen your skills for Districts. Are you excellent at memorization? Review your FTVs. Are you a whiz with References? Go over them again and again. Are you better at general knowledge questions? Sit down with friends or family for pop-quizzes. Are you better at bonus questions? Review as many questions as possible from the sample quizzes you have been given. And be praying also. Bible quizzing is a skills competition, but is also a spiritual discipline. Be praying that you keep the right things first, and serve God in everything you do, win or lose.

Upcoming Events:
Saturday, April 24-26: DISTRICTS - Lancaster, PA

An Outline of Luke 1-12

As you are finishing up your review of Luke 1-12, consider memorizing this outline of the book. It may help you to remember where you are when you hear a question, by keeping context always foremost in your thoughts. From Bible.Org.

I. Prologue (1:1-4)

II. The Infancy of the Son of Man (1:5–2:52)

A. Two Pregnancies predicted (1:5-56)

1. The Prediction of John’s Birth (1:5-25)

a. The Setting (1:5-10)

b. The Announcement of the Angel (1:11-17)

c. The Doubt of Zechariah (1:18-22)

d. The Response of Elizabeth (1:23-25)

2. The Prediction of Jesus’ Birth (1:26-38)

a. The Setting (1:26-28)

b. The Announcement of the Angel (1:29-33)

c. The Doubt of Mary (1:34-37)

d. The Response of Mary (1:38)

3. The Visit of Mary with Elizabeth (1:39-56)

a. The Setting (1:39-41)

b. Elizabeth’s Blessing (1:42-45)

c. Mary’s Song (1:46-55)

d. Summary (1:56)

B. Two Sons Born (1:57–2:52)

1. The Birth and Infancy of John (1:57-80)

a. The Birth of John (1:57-58)

b. The Circumcision and Maturation of John (1:59-80)

1) The Circumcision (1:59-66)

2) Zechariah’s Song (1:67-79)

3) The Growth of John (1:80)

2. The Birth and Infancy of Jesus (2:1-52)

a. The Birth of Jesus (2:1-20)

1) The Historical Setting (2:1-3)

2) The Birth in Bethlehem (2:4-7)

3) The Witnesses of the Birth (2:8-20)

a) The Announcement by Angels (2:8-14)

b) The Visit by Shepherds (2:15-20)

b. The Circumcision and Maturation of Jesus (2:21-52)

1) The Circumcision (2:21-24)

2) Simeon’s Song and Anna’s Prophecy (2:25-38)

3) The Growth of Jesus (2:39-52)

a) Statement: Growth in Wisdom (2:39-40)

b) Example of Growth in Wisdom: The Boy Jesus at the Temple (2:41-50)

c) Statement: Growth in Wisdom and Stature (2:51-52)

III. The Preparation of the Son of Man for Public Ministry (3:1–4:13)

A. Preparation by John the Baptist (3:1-20)

1. Setting (3:1-6)

a. Historical (3:1-3)

b. Prophetic (3:4-6)

2. The Preaching of John (3:7-18)

3. The Imprisonment of John (3:19-20)

B. Preparation by Jesus’ Baptism (3:21-22)

C. Preparation by Jesus’ Pedigree (Genealogy) (3:23-38)

D. Preparation by Jesus’ Temptation (4:1-13)

IV. The Son of Man’s Galilean Ministry (4:14–9:50)

A. The New Base of Operations (4:14-44)

1. Rejection at Nazareth (4:14-30)

2. Reception at Capernaum (4:31-44)

a. In the Synagogue (4:31-37)

b. At Simon’s House (4:38-41)

c. In a Solitary Place (4:42-44)

B. The Authentication of Jesus’ Ministry (5:1–6:16)

1. The Calling of the First Disciples (5:1-11)

2. The Healing of a Leper (5:12-16)

3. Confrontations with the Pharisees (5:17–6:16)

a. The Healing of a Paralytic (5:17-26)

b. The Calling of a Tax Collector (5:27-32)

c. Questions about Fasting (5:33-39)

d. Jesus’ Authority over the Sabbath (6:1-11)

1) Plucking Grain (6:1-5)

2) Healing a Man’s Hand (6:6-11)

4. The Election of the Twelve Disciples (6:12-16)

C. The Principles of Jesus’ Ministry: The Sermon on the Plain (6:17-49)

1. Blessings and Woes (6:17-26)

2. Love for Enemies (6:27-36)

3. Judging Others (6:37-42)

4. Two Kinds of Trees (6:43-45)

5. Two Kinds of Builders (6:46-49)

D. The Scope and Nature of Jesus’ Ministry (7:1–8:18)

1. A Centurion’s Faith (7:1-10)

2. A Widow’s Son is Raised in Nain (7:11-17)

3. Jesus’ Commendation of John (7:18-35)

a. The Doubts by John (7:18-23)

b. The Commendation by Jesus (7:24-30)

c. The Capriciousness of the Multitudes (7:31-35)

4. Anointed by a Sinful Woman (7:36-50)

5. The Women who Helped Jesus’ Ministry (8:1-3)

6. Parable of the Sower (8:4-15)

7. Parable of Lamp (8:16-18)

E. The Identity of Jesus Progressively Revealed (8:19–9:50)

1. Jesus’ True Mother and Brothers (8:19-21)

2. Calming of the Storm (8:22-25)

3. Healing of a Demoniac (8:26-39)

4. A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman (8:40-56)

5. The Sending of the Twelve (9:1-9)

6. Feeding the Five Thousand (9:10-17)

7. Peter’s Confession (9:18-27)

8. The Transfiguration (9:28-36)

9. Healing a Demon-Possessed Boy (9:37-45)

10. Greatest in the Kingdom (9:46-50)

V. The Son of Man’s Journey to Jerusalem (9:51–19:27)

A. Instruction in Discipleship in the Light of Jesus’ Mission (9:51–11:13)

1. Summary: Jesus’ Resolve to go to Jerusalem (9:51)

2. Samaritan Opposition (9:52-56)

3. The Cost of Discipleship (9:57-62)

4. The Sending of the Seventy-Two (10:1-24)

a. Jesus’ Message on Departure (10:1-16)

b. The Disciples’ Joy on Return (10:17)

c. Jesus’ Response on their Return (10:18-24)

1) To the Disciples: On Rejoicing (10:18-20)

2) To the Father (10:21-22)

3) To the Disciples: On Blessing (10:23-24)

5. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (10:25-37)

6. Martha’s and Mary’s Responses (10:38-42)

7. Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer (11:1-13)

a. The Lord’s Prayer (11:1-4)

b. Persistence in Prayer (11:5-13)

1) The Response of a Friend (11:5-10)

2) The Goodness of God (11:6-13)

B. Confrontation with the Pharisees: First Cycle (11:14-54)

1. Jesus and Beelzebub (11:14-28)

2. The Sign of Jonah (11:29-32)

3. Parable: The Lamp of the Body (11:33-36)

4. Six Woes (11:37-52)

5. The Plot of the Pharisees (11:53-54)

C. Instructions in Discipleship in the Light of the Religious Leaders’ Rejection (12:1–13:35)

1. A Sermon on the Attitude of a Disciple: In the Light of Coming Judgment (12:1–13:9)

a. Setting (12:1a)

b. Leaven of the Pharisees (12:1b)

c. Fearless Confession in Light of God’s Sovereignty (12:2-12)

d. Attitude toward Riches (12:13-34)

1) Parable of the Rich Fool (12:13-21)

2) Worry and Treasures (12:22-34)

e. Vigilance and Watchfulness (12:35-48)

f. Not Peace but Division (12:49-53)

g. The Signs of the Times (12:54-56)

h. Agreement with your Opponent (12:57-59)

Week 32: Review Luke 1-12

This week (April 9 thru April 15), please review Luke 1-12.

If you want to read the chapters online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

You should now have all 24 chapters of Luke on MP3. If you had missed any of them, and need to get them, please contact Coach Mark. Remember, they are only online for a limited time (90 days from posting).

Study Tip: Catholics have a tradition called "stages of the cross" where they retrace the steps of Christ from Pilate to the Cross. Consider during this week to spend your time retracing those same steps thru scripture as you study. Today is Maundy Thursday, where Jesus had the Last Supper and instituted Communion. Tomorrow is Good Friday where Jesus was tried, convicted, and executed. Saturday was a day of rest. Sunday was the day of Resurrection. By walking thru these stages - thinking about them, discussing them with friends and family - this part of the Bible can really be brought alive.

Upcoming Events:
Saturday, April 24-26: DISTRICTS - Lancaster, PA

WEEK 31: Review Luke 1-12

There is no practice on April 8 for Holy Week observance.
This week (April 2 thru April 8), please review Luke 1-12.

If you want to read the chapters online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

You should now have all 24 chapters of Luke on MP3. If you had missed any of them, and need to get them, please contact Coach Mark. Remember, they are only online for a limited time (90 days from posting).

Study Tip: Now is the time we need to refresh our memories of the early chapters that we first talked about so many weeks ago. Be sure NOT to let this week go without studying. Try to reach at least one chapter per day, and see if you can set up study times with your teammates where you can quiz each other. Districts is almost upon us!

WEEK 30: Study Luke 24

This week (March 26 thru April 1), please study Luke 24.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

DOWNLOAD: Click here to download the MP3 for Luke 24. (Password is "quizpad" without the quotes.)

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here. (Free website, Biblegateway.Com)

Study Tip: This is our last week of new material. Be sure to spend extra time this week learning Chapter 24, so that when we begin to review, you have a solid base to work on. Otherwise, all of your time will have to be spent learning stuff that other quizzers already know.

Upcoming Events:
Saturday, March 28: Quiz Meet - Essex Fells, NJ

IMPORTANT: Updated MP3 for Luke 23

It has come to my attention that the MP3 posted on Thursday is incomplete. There was an issue with the download/upload of the file. Here is an updated file with the full audio. Sorry for any confusion.

WEEK 29: Study Luke 23

This week (March 19 thru March 25), please study Luke 23.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

DOWNLOAD: Click here to download the MP3 for Luke 23. (Password is "quizpad" without the quotes.)

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here. (Free website, Biblegateway.Com)

Study Tip: Have you noticed that the make-up of our team is changing? As some of our top quizzers are moving away, this means the quizzers who are left have a real chance to make a difference. If you have been holding back, waiting for your chance to shine, this is it! Take extra time in the last two chapters to study and memorize the text. Then, you may have your chance to shine at Districts!

Upcoming Events:
Saturday, March 28: Quiz Meet - Essex Fells, NJ

IMPORTANT: Reference Question Correction

We just recieved notice of a correction to the Reference Question list.

Question: According to Luke 20:17, what is written?
Answer: Jesus looked directly at them and asked, "Then what is the meaning of that which is written: "'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone '? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed."

Previously, this reference was for Luke 20:17-18.

WEEK 28: Study Luke 22:39-71

This week (March 5 thru March 11), please study Luke 22:39-71.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

DOWNLOAD: Click here to download the MP3 for Luke 22. (Password is "quizpad" without the quotes.)

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here. (Free website, Biblegateway.Com)

Study Tip: As we read about the last week of Jesus life, we are ALSO heading towards Easter. As you read about the triumphal entry, the last supper, the trial, the crucifixion, and the resurrection, realize that we are learning about the very basis for our celebration of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. This might be a way to stay motivated as the end-of-the-year crunch begins at school.

Upcoming Events:
Saturday, March 28: Quiz Meet - Essex Fells, NJ

WEEK 27: Study Luke 22:1-38

This week (March 5 thru March 11), please study Luke 22:1-38.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

DOWNLOAD: Click here to download the MP3 for Luke 22. (Password is "quizpad" without the quotes.)

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here. (Free website, Biblegateway.Com)

Study Tip: As we move ahead each week, are you finding yourself forgetting what you learned in the past week? While we DO have some review weeks coming up, they will NOT be before the next Quiz Meet. Each week, dedicate some time to reviewing the earlier chapters. Take one day (I recommend Sunday) skimming thru the book of Luke, looking to reacquaint yourself with the major stories and distinctive phrases. And as you learn the NEW chapters, try to remember how they fit into the overall story.

Upcoming Events:
Saturday, March 28: Quiz Meet - Essex Fells, NJ

WEEK 26: Study Luke 21

This week (February 26 thru March 4), please study Luke 21.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

DOWNLOAD: Click here to download the MP3 for Luke 21. (Password is "quizpad" without the quotes.)

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here. (Free website, Biblegateway.Com)

Study Tip: Are you making use of all of the tools available to you as a quizzer? We know everyone has a Bible. Are you also downloading the MP3s each week? Are you reading thru the commentary? Are you completing the puzzles? And most of all, are you getting your friends and families involved with your studying regimen? If you're not using everything at your disposal, you're probably not getting the best results.

Upcoming Events:
Saturday, February 28: Quiz Meet - Trumbull, CT (Remember, we need you at the church by 8:15 AM on Saturday to help with setup!)

WEEK 25: Study Luke 20

This week (February 19 thru February 25), please study Luke 20.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

DOWNLOAD: Click here to download the MP3 for Luke 20. (Password is "quizpad" without the quotes.)

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here. (Free website, Biblegateway.Com)

Study Tip: Did you know that when you sleep, your mind continues to work on whatever you were thinking about last before you fell asleep? If you are working through an especially difficult passage of scripture, sometimes it can be helpful to study it and work with it right before bed. Then your subconscious can work on it as you sleep (warning, you may dream about quizzing!) and when you wake up, you may find the passage more deeply ingrained into your mind.

Upcoming Events:
Saturday, February 28: Quiz Meet - Trumbull, CT

WEEK 24: Study Luke 19

This week (February 12 thru February 18), please study Luke 19.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

DOWNLOAD: No MP3 download for now. We'll get it to you as soon as we have it. In the meantime, listen to the chapter here.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here. (Free website, Biblegateway.Com)

Study Tip: Tired of reading about complex tricks to improve your studying? Okay, let's keep it simple. How often are you reading the chapter for each week? If you answered LESS than "twice a day", then YOU ARE NOT doing the minimum. Every quizzer should be reading the week's chapter AT LEAST twice a day EVERY DAY. This simple commitment can change you from a useless quizzer to one who makes the difference between a win and loss for your team.

Upcoming Events:
Saturday, February 28: Quiz Meet - Trumbull, CT

WEEK 23: Study Luke 18

This week (February 5 thru February 11), please study Luke 18.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

DOWNLOAD: If you want to download the MP3, click here (Password is "quizpad", without the quotes.)

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here. (Free website, Biblegateway.Com)

Study Tip: Do read through the text of scripture and find at the end that you know barely more than you did at the beginning? Do you envy those who can read it once, and be able to quiz effectively? Different people learn in different ways. Some people can do it by simply reading, others by listening. But you may be a learner who needs to really engage the text. Consider taking notes as you read - note down really interesting sections, questions that the text raises, notable phrases, etc. At the end, you will have applied not only your eyes but all the parts of your brain, and the learning may very well be far more effective. Oh, and don't forget to call, e-mail, or speak to the coaches, your parents, or the pastors to get the answers to those questions you had.


Upcoming Events:
Saturday, February 28: Quiz Meet - Trumbull, CT

WEEK 22: Study Luke 17

This week (January 29 thru February 4), please study Luke 17.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

DOWNLOAD: If you want to download the MP3, click here (Password is "quizpad", without the quotes.)

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here. (Free website, Biblegateway.Com)

Study Tip: For me, Midwinter was the event in my Quizzing career where it all started to click. I began to understand WHY I was quizzing, and it served as a jumping-off point to become a better quizzer. You can do the same thing. If you have not been one of our top quizzers to date, use what you have learned now to dedicate yourself to studying for the rest of the year. There is still time to learn enough chapters to be effective, and to use the coming review weeks to brush up your skills on past chapters. You can still be a key player for our team.


Upcoming Events:
Saturday, February 28: Quiz Meet - Trumbull, CT

WEEK 21: Review Luke 13-16

This week (January 22 thru January 28), please review Luke 13-16.

If you want to read the chapters online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

DOWNLOAD: If you want to download the MP3s...
Luke 13
Luke 14
Luke 15
Luke 16
(Password is "quizpad", without the quotes.)

Study Tip: Midwinter Quiz is over and now we begin the long sprint towards Districts. Take a moment this week to think over your Midwinter experience and figure out what you can learn from it? Has your studying been effective? Where do you need to focus your efforts to improve? Seeing how a major quiz works, do you need to change your emphasis to be a more effective quizzer?