Luke 1:39-80

Luke 1:39-45

1. Why do you think Mary ‘hurried’ to see Elizabeth?
Her reputation was in danger and Elizabeth would have been someone (since she was in a similar circumstance) that could have sympathized and helped her. We are often helped by those experiencing similar struggles as our own.

2. What must Mary have thought about Elizabeth’s greeting?
She must have been greatly encouraged by it considering she didn't even have to explain her situation. Elizabeth already knew from the Lord and called her highly favored!

3. What does Elizabeth’s greeting tell us about her level of humility?
Even though she had her own great news, she still considered it small in comparison to the news of the arrrival of the Messiah!

4. What does it mean that Mary was ‘blessed among women’?
Consider how many young Jewish girls would have wanted to be the mother of the Messiah. God chose Mary. She was blessed because God picked her. She is, quite possibly, the most famous woman in world history.

5. How does John’s ‘joy’ speak to the abortion issue?
It shows that, prior to birth, babies are still living human beings with the capacity to be filled with the Spirit of God. This makes each unborn child incredibly valuable.

Luke 1:46-56

1. Where do you we find a similar song in Scripture?
These words of worship echo the prayer of Hannah found in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. Either Mary was giving her own version of Hannah's prayer, had extremely similar thoughts, or was led by the Spirit to speak similar words. Hannah had been mocked for not having a baby, now Mary was facing mocking for having one outside the context of marriage.

2. Did Mary see herself as a servant in need of a Savior?
Yes, she says both in this passage. Any ideas of Mary being sinless and perfect are not biblical ideas. Jesus spoke against any special attention to Mary in Luke 11:27-28.

3. What characteristics of God is Mary most thankful for here?
She seems to be most thankful that God is 1) mindful of men 2) merciful to the needy 3) just in bringing about judgment to the proud

4. Why do you think Mary left when she did?
She probably waited around until after the birth and then went home to reveal her own news to her family

Luke 1:57-66

1. Why did the neighbors/relatives assume Zechariah for the name?
It was a tradition to carry on the father's name

2. Why didn’t they accept Elizabeth’s word on the issue?
Maybe they thought she was taking advantage of the fact that Zechariah couldn't speak. Additionally, they were probably, by today's standards, an overly-involved family.

3. Why did they make ‘signs’ for Zechariah?
There are 2 possibilities: 1) He was also deaf even though we are not told this 2) They were simply acting strange around a handicapped person, like many do today

4. Why were they astonished that the baby would be named John?
Zechariah was a great Jewish name. John wasn't a great Jewish name. The fact that Zechariah confirmed John as the name meant there was something out of the ordinary regarding the child.

Luke 1:67-80

1. What do you think Zechariah had been thinking for 9 months?
His doubt. His faith. God's activity in the world of his time.

2. What baby is Zechariah referring to in verse 69?
The first part of the prophecy refers to Mary's baby for he speaks of the line of David.

3. What did Zechariah predict the ‘horn’ would accomplish?
Primarily, Mary's baby (the Messiah) would accomplish 1) salvation from the enemy 2) He would enable His people to live holy lives.

4. What did Zechariah predict regarding his own son?
He predicted that his own son would prepare the way for the Messiah. The fact that most of the prophecy is directed at Mary's Son shows the humility of Zechariah.