Week 01

Step 01: Pause and Prepare

Find a quiet place and quiet your mind. Pause. Take a couple of deep breaths. This biblical practice is taught throughout the Psalms. Hit the mute button on all the other voices in your life. Clear your thoughts so God's Word can fill them. If you feel like rushing past this part that's how you know for sure you need to do it!

Think upon our foundational scriptures, then go to Step 02.

"For the word of God is alive and powerful."

Hebrews 4:12, NLT

Remember you're about to encounter the living God in His living Word!

"...train yourself in godliness." 

1 Timothy 4:7b, ESV

Our discipline to create time for devotions is essential. But it doesn't change our lives. It is God's Spirit alone that transforms us. Open your heart to God and read the scriptures! 

Step 02: Read the Scripture Passage

Luke 24:1-12, NLT

But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 3 So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.
5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man[b] must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”
8 Then they remembered that he had said this. 9 So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. 11 But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. 12 However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.

Step 03: Answer the Four Questions

Grab your notebook and write down your answers to these four questions. It will help you engage with the text, process what God's Word is saying to you, and encounter God in your devotional time.
* If you find it difficult to figure out what the scripture passage is about we highly recommend getting a study bible.
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Question #1

What does the scripture say?

In your own words, what you think the scripture passage or story is about.

(Touch the dots for more questions.)

Question #2 

What does the scripture say to me?

What do you feel the passage is speaking to you in regard to your life or current situation?

Need a little help? Click here.

Question #3

What do I want to say to God about the text?

What emotions and thoughts does the text create in you? Communicate them in prayer.

Question #4

What difference will this text make in my life?

In what way does this text help you live for God?

What is Luke 24:1-12 about?

At the heart of Luke chapter 24 is the idea that it's hard to recognize Jesus for who He truly is. He told his followers he would rise again, but they didn't believe Him. Even after hearing what the angels said, and the tomb being empty, it sounded like nonsense to them. What changed them was experiencing the risen Jesus. As we truly encounter Him our eyes are spiritually opened and we can realize who he truly is—the Son of God, our Savior and King. The question is do we recognize Him for who He is? If we do, then it must change everything. This story of His resurrection must become the storyline of our lives. It is the event that defines our world, and as believers, it should define our lives.

Want more? Watch the incredible video on Luke 24 from The Bible Project below!

The Bible Project

Gospel of Luke Ch. 24

Recommended Resources

ESV Study Bible

Life Application Study Bible