Mapping Luke

Explore Luke’s Gospel through this unique set of bible study 'maps'; perfect for small groups or individual reflection.

In this pack are five maps:

  • Jesus is brought to the Temple

  • Jesus heals a paralysed man

  • Jesus teaches us to pray

  • Jesus tells a story

  • Jesus has supper at Emmaus

Each 'map' takes you on a reflective journey through a key episode of the Gospel with the help of art, poetry and music and invites an interactive response. No prior knowledge is required, yet even for those who know the gospel well there’s something new to discover.

AT A GLANCE

Map 1: Jesus is brought to the Temple

Early on in his gospel, Luke takes us, with Mary and Joseph and their young child, right inside the Temple compound. He lets us witness one of its ancient ceremonies, recruiting two holy bystanders to help us understand the extraordinary significance of this new-born boy.

Map 2: Jesus heals a paralysed man

What makes this the much loved story it is? The feisty friends and their dramatic opening of the roof? Or Jesus’ compassionate recognition of their faith and spirited rejoinder to his critics? Or the lame man himself leaping at last off the bed that has curtailed his life for so long? All of the above! But also perhaps a longing to be there ourselves… What ‘roof’ must we pull apart to reach him? From what ‘bed’ is Jesus commanding us to rise?

Map 3: Jesus teaches us to pray

Almost every time Christians gather to pray, they use words which Jesus taught his disciples 2000 years ago. “When you pray, say this”, Jesus said. So we do. Many theologians, spiritual writers and artists of all sorts have reflected upon this building block of Christian faith and worship: just a few are represented here to stimulate fresh insights.

Map 4: Jesus tells a story

The story usually called The Prodigal Son is found only in Luke. Often described as the best-loved of all Jesus’ parables, commentators are united in its praise, treasuring the skill with which the characters are drawn and readers are moved to find their own place within the story. With its great themes of home and relationships, of hurt and forgiveness, of alienation and restoration, St. Augustine speaks for us all when he says simply “This story is about me”.

Map 5: Jesus has supper at Emmaus

It is Sunday evening. Just two days ago, the broken body of an itinerant Galilean teacher was removed from a cross and laid in a borrowed tomb, devastating his followers. They had expected a different outcome. As two of them walk home from Jerusalem - traumatised by crucifixion, troubled by resurrection-talk - they are joined on the road by a stranger. And nothing is ever the same again.