Bible Stories for Adults

God's Promise to Zechariah

Luke 1:5-25

Next Week - The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-25)
Bible Words to Remember:
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Isaiah 52:7

Who was Luke?
Colossians 4:14
How qualified was Luke to write the gospel (good news) of Jesus?
Acts 16:9-10

What was the scope of his gospel?
Acts 1:1-2
Did Luke write his gospel because no one else had tried to record what had happened?
Luke 1:1-2
Why did Luke go to this trouble if others had already done so?
Luke 1:3-4

How carefully had Luke investigated everything and made his facts certain?
Luke 3:1-2
Did Luke have any help getting his facts straight?
2 Peter 1:20-21
Why is it so important to God that the Bible is fully accurate and without errors?
2 Timothy 3:16-17

With what story and details does Luke begin his book?
Luke 1:5
What does it mean that Zechariah belonged to the priestly division of Abijah?
1 Chronicles 24:1, 3, 10, 19
Priests could only marry Jewish women, especially honorable to marry a desc of Aaron

Was this marriage a coincidence or were these devout Jews trying to please God?
Luke 1:6
Did God shower them with earthly blessings in response to their faithfulness?
Luke 1:7
Childlessness was blamed on the woman, legal grounds for divorce

What special honor did Zechariah receive once when he went on duty?
Luke 1:8-10
About 20,000 priests divided into 24 divisions, each on duty at the temple two weeks per year
All priests on duty at the temple for Passover, Pentecost and Feast of the Tabernacles
Special duties (50 per day) assigned to priests by throwing lots
Most special duty was to offer the incense in the Holy Place before the Holy of Holies
Could only do once in a lifetime, many priests never had the opportunity
Incense offered in morning and evening with sacrifice
Rising sweet smoke symbolized prayers going to heaven
Worshippers prayed until the priest came back out and gave the benediction

Did things go smoothly for Zechariah during his special service?
Luke 1:11
Jewish tradition reserved the right side of the altar for God and the left for angel Gabriel
How did Zechariah feel about what he saw?
Luke 1:12
Besides being surprised, why would Zechariah be so scared?
Exodus 33:20
What comforting message was Zechariah given?
Luke 1:13
Don't be afraid - also used by angels and Jesus in Luke 1:30; 2:10; 5:10; 8:50; 12:7, 32

Does God come to His people in His house like His angel came to Zechariah in the temple?
Exodus 33:9
Do we need to go to God's house for Him to speak to us?
Exodus 3:1-2
Judges 6:11
1 Kings 19:19
1 Samuel 16:11 (Psalm 78:70)
Matthew 9:9
Mark 1:16-20

Does this mean we should not sit back quietly and wait for the Lord to come to us?
2 Thessalonians 3:6, 11-13
But don't we need to quietly meditate to hear God talk to us?
Matthew 13:11, 14-16
So does God want us to put ourselves fully into our work?
Colossians 3:23-24
Does this mean that being a workaholic is in line with God's desire for our lives?
Luke 10:41-42

How would John be different than other kids?
Luke 1:14-15
How would Zechariah understand the point that John should never drink alcohol?
Numbers 6:1-3
What examples of Nazirites do we have in the Old Testament?
Judges 13:3-5
1 Samuel 1:20, 27-28
How do we first see that John was truly filled with the Holy Spirit from birth as the angel said?
Luke 1:41-44

What work would the Spirit accomplish through the life of this Nazirite?
Luke 1:16
Why was this important to God's plan?
Mark 1:1-3
How effective would John be in his ministry?
Mark 1:4-5

What other special thing did the angel foretell about John?
Luke 1:17
What was the last prophesy God had given the Jews 400 years earlier?
Malachi 4:5-6
Did the people recognize John to be the promised return of Elijah?
Matthew 17:10-13
Were the people told that Elijah had returned?
Matthew 11:7, 10, 14

After hearing the message from the angel what story would Zechariah have remembered?
Genesis 18:1, 10-11
How easily did faithful Abraham and Sarah believe God's promise?
Genesis 17:17; 18:12-14
Did Zechariah show any stronger faith when given a similar message?
Luke 1:18

How did the angel remind Zechariah who the promise was from?
Luke 1:19
Would this angel's name mean anything to Zechariah?
Daniel 8:15-16 (9:21-22)
What other job does Gabriel get to do?
Luke 1:26-28

Angelia (ahn-ge-LEE-a)
Angel
Evangel
Gospel
Evangelist

What sign would Zechariah be given because of his lack of faith?
Luke 1:20
Was there any other part of the sign?
Luke 1:62

Did the worshippers outside realize what had happened?
Luke 1:21-22
Why had the worshippers waited so long for Zechariah?
Numbers 6:22-26
What other sign was Zechariah given that the promise would happen?
Luke 1:23-25