Luke 1:31 - 45

Pastor Brian McGuffin

December 22, 2024

Introduction

How do you (your family) announce special events like births, marriage engagements, job promotions, etc.. Do you tell people personally, phone them, put them on social media? What do you think is the best way to do it?

Describe your reaction(s) when you first found out you were pregnant, or when you became a grandparent for the first time.

Scripture

Luke 1: 31 - 45  ESV

Birth of Jesus Foretold

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.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Discussion Questions

1. Describe the feelings that you think Mary and Elizabeth experienced when they received the news of their pregnancy. (See Luke 1: 24 - 25 for Elizabeth's reaction)

2. Have you ever questioned the virgin birth of Jesus? Anyone you know who has? Why is the virgin birth important?

3. a) The story of Jesus' first coming to earth is told at the beginning of Matthew and Luke. What is your favourite part of the story? Why?    

    b) Scripture also tells us that Jesus will come again. What does that mean to you? Does it change your life in any way? 

4. a) How many people in the Christmas story were approached by angels or the Holy Spirit?    (Take your time to make sure you have thought about everyone.)

    b) Tell us about a moment in your life when you sensed the Holy Spirit's presence or leading. 

5.  Jesus' first coming was announced in so many ways. As Christ followers, we've been given the responsibility to "announce" to people that Jesus is coming again, and we all need to be ready.    

            Acts 1: 8   "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,   and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Jesus' instruction to his disciples.)

     a) What ways can we share our faith with the people we meet? Do we always have to talk about our faith? Why or why not?    

     b) If someone asked you what you need to do to become a Christian, or asked you how to get to heaven, or what do Christians believe, or any way that indicates they are interested in your faith/church ... what would you say? 

     c) If you realized that someone would like to know how to become a Christian, what key things do they need to know?   

     d) What Bible verses could you use?   

            (There is an excellent pamphlet at LSA that you could use to explain how to become a Christian to someone. It's called Steps to Peace with God, and you can find it at the Info Desk or ask Pastor Deb Toth for one.)

6. Why and in what ways can we know that God has given us a church community as a gift for each other?  How do we express our thankfulness for that gift?