Monday Discussion ~ Believing the Story ~ Luke 1:26-38

Each Monday I will be posting reflections from the sermon and discussion questions for any groups working through the sermon texts with us.

Every day we find ourselves fighting – fighting our circumstances, fighting others, fighting ourselves and our own tendencies. We tend to see the world as a place of opposition, where we must work and strive to get what we want and need. We are unused to receiving gifts and good news. So, when it comes – often we are unprepared. We ask ourselves, what is really going on? What’s the catch? What do I have do?

And this is why it is so hard for us to hear the gospel – because the only adequate response to the grace of God is the response we read today in Luke 1:38 – ‘Let it be to me, according to your word.’

Mary, from the film 'Son of Man'

The story of Mary is deservedly famous. A humble maiden, with little experience in the world, is met by a vision of possibility and transformation. She does not understand what it all means, what it will cost her, or even what it will look like. Yet Mary’s response of faith in the midst of great uncertainty is a model for us as we receive good news in our hearts.

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Introduction Question

Where in your life to do you most feel in control? (Work, family, body etc?) Where in your life do you feel least in control?

Questions

1. Mary has a visit from an angel, just like Zechariah. In fact, it is the same angel who visits her. How is Mary’s situation different from Zechariah’s? (See Luke 1:5-13).

3. Mary asks the same question that Zechariah asks – ‘how can this be?’ Zechariah is silenced, but Mary is encouraged. Why does Mary get different treatment from Zechariah?

4. The angel Gabriel says 3 things in verse 35-37 to Mary when she asks how it will happen.

a.       “The Holy Spirit will come upon…. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy.” God is going to do this through the Holy Spirit because he wants the fruit to be holy. God must be the one who does it.

-          Why is it important that this child be born of a virgin? 

b.      “Behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.” This is a hint that God has already done remarkable things. Perhaps this new thing might be possible for Him.  

-          Have you ever seen hints or clues of God at work that have encouraged you to be more trusting?

c.       “Nothing will be impossible with God.” Ultimately, this astonishing promise can be trusted because it is God who makes it.

-          What places in your life simply require a trust that God can do it when nowhere else can?

5. Mary responds with a very simple reply. “Let it be to me as you say.” Mary’s response is often seen as a perfect example of faithfulness. Do you agree? What does her response teach us about faith?

6. Where in your life do you simply need to say to God ‘Let it be’? 

Monday Discussion ~ Believing the Story ~ Luke 1:5-25

Each Monday I will be posting reflections from the sermon and discussion questions for any groups working through the sermon texts with us.

We began Advent last Sunday looking at the story of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptizer. Zechariah was a priest, educated and influential in his community. Yet, he was filled with disappointment. His faith in God was trembling because his people hadn't heard from God in centuries. No prophets had arisen and miracles were few and far between. Even worse, Israel was now under oppression by Roman rule. It seemed that God was silent and distant and all Israel was waiting.

And beneath all that disappointment, Zechariah had a secret hope that had gone unfulfilled. He and his wife were childless. Together, they suffered in silence - a private disappointment that lay alongside all the other disappointments.

We think of the Christmas characters as witnesses of wonder and astonishing miracles. But mostly, these people were more like you and me ~ Living with disappointment and learning to live by faith in a promise that doesn't seem possible. Let's look at Zechariah's story in Luke 1:5-25.

1:5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”     

Introduction Question
Do you recall a Christmas gift that you were really anticipating? Did you get it? What happened after you received it/ didn't receive it?

Questions
1. What do we learn about Zechariah in this story? What do you think his prayers might have been for? What do you think his frustrations might have been?

2. What are your prayers and frustrations as you enter into the Christmas season?

3. When Gabriel the angel appears, he promises joy and gladness for Zechariah as well as for many others. What is the good news he promises?

4. What promises do you feel like God has made to you? Any?

5. When Zechariah comes out of the temple, he cannot speak. What do you think he did and thought in those following months?

Practical Questions:

6. You are talking with a friend who has had a lot of financial trouble. They have been on and off of welfare, and have overcome a drug habit about a decade ago. They come to you one day and tell you that they feel like God is calling them to start a trucking business. He shows a pretty decent business plan - 2 trucks and a plan for marketing. This is not a person who talks a lot about 'God's plan' - they are usually pretty timid. This vision seems genuine.

The reason he wants to start the business is because his daughter is getting older and he wants to provide a home for her. His step-daughter is also moving home and he needs a bigger place.

"There are just too many obstacles," he says. "I don't have a degree. I don't have the money. I don't know where to start. I feel like God has given me this dream, but I don't know how to make it happen."

How will you counsel your friend?

What not How...

The poem from George MacDonald, quoted in last night's sermon. A great Christmas reminder that God makes his promises before he reveals his plan. God's WHAT comes before the HOW.

Are there promises you are waiting on? Things you hope God will do, but don't seem possible right now. Remember that Mary and Zechariah and all the Christmas characters received a promise that seemed impossible every step of the way. The answer is not HOW is this going to happen, but WHO is at work.

When you get anxious about the HOW, spend some time thinking on the WHO.

They all were looking for a king  

  To slay their foes and lift them high:  

Thou cam'st, a little baby thing  

    That made a woman cry.  

O Son of Man, to right my lot          

  Naught but Thy presence can avail;  

Yet on the road Thy wheels are not,  

    Nor on the sea Thy sail!  

My how or when Thou wilt not heed,  

  But come down Thine own secret stair,   

That Thou mayst answer all my need—  

    Yea, every bygone prayer.

George MacDonald