Luke 1:5-38

Luke 1:5-25

1. Were there faithful Jews around prior to the birth of Christ? (6)
Yes, Zechariah & Elizabeth are 2 example as are Mary & Joseph. It is important to remember that almost all of the earliest Christians were Jews. Christianity was not simply a new religion, it was the fulfillment of Judaism. By AD70 there were perhaps hundreds of thousands of Christians with Jewish roots.


2. In Scripture, many important characters are born from infertile couples. Why do you think God works this way? (7)
Abraham & Sarah, Isaac & Rebekah, Jacob & Rachel, Elkanah & Hannah...all these couples had difficulties having children. I believe God works in such situations to prove to us that it is Him doing a work. See 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, 12:7-10

3. What was God’s purpose for this baby? (16-17)
John would serve as a forerunner. He would bring people back to the Lord. He prepared the hearts of men and women for the Messiah. He helped them adjust their eyes to the bright light that was coming.

4. Describe Elizabeth’s emotions once with child (25)
She must have been incredibly grateful for the weight be lifted off her shoulders (and added to her body!).

Luke 1:26-38

1. Why did the Father use a virgin to bring Jesus into the world? (27)
Even more miraculous than a baby being born to an elderly couple is a baby being born to a virgin! God did this to show the specialness of the baby Jesus. This was His work. This was His Son.

2. Why, specifically, do you think Mary was chosen? (28)
She was favored, it seems, due to her purity, faithfulness & trust.

3. How was Mary’s response different from Zechariah’s? (18, 34)
The responses seem so similar that Zechariah's punishment seems quite harsh. But perhaps their was a difference in the attitudes behind the questions. If Zechariah asked in doubt and Mary asked in curiousity, that is a significant difference. Verse 34 shows that Mary trusted the message from the Lord.

4. How was Jesus conceived? (35)
Miraculously. I believe the Holy Spirit overshadowed/surrounded Mary so that Jesus was not born in the sin passed down from Adam. He was, then, conceived by the Holy Spirit and perfect from birth. He, uniquely, was born a man without sin.