This four-week short course centres on a short section within the Gospel of Luke (chapters 6-9), the Gospel which is the focus of the Lectionary readings for this coming liturgical year (Year C).

The passages in Luke 6:12-9:6 cover the period from the call of the Twelve to their being sent-out as missionaries. In between these scenes the Twelve, as well as the wider group of disciples – and us as hearers of this text – are privileged to receive “an education for discipleship” being shown, by word and example, what it means to be a follower of Christ. The narrative includes Luke’s account of “the Sermon on the Plain” as well as an array of parables and healing miracles, often with additional teaching and explanation for Jesus’ followers, by which they may learn from example how to imitate Christ.

The course will take us through these passages in Lk 6:12-9:6, attentive to the flow and development of Luke’s narrative design, as well as Luke’s editing of his sources. The aim will be to draw out something of the depth and richness of the theological education that is encapsulated within this section of the Gospel of Luke.

This is one of two courses running one after the other. Please also see the four week course on Beyond the Coat of many Colours: Reading the Joseph Narrative (Genesis 37-50) by Dr Rosalie Moloney from the 5th November.