Bible Stories for Adults

Mary & Elizabeth / The Birth of John

Luke 1:39-80

Next Week - Jesus Rejected at Nazareth (Luke 4:16-30)
Bible Words to Remember:
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

How does the historian Luke transition from the Old Testament into his story of Jesus?
Luke 1:5-7
What happened toward the ends of the lives of these faithful Jews?
Luke 1:8, 11, 13
Why would God send an angel just to tell an elderly couple they would have a child?
Luke 1:14-17
How did the angel reply when Zechariah couldn't believe what he was seeing and hearing?
Luke 1:18-20
What other proof was this couple given that what the angel said was true?
Luke 1:24

What job is this arch-angel Gabriel assigned to next?
Luke 1:26-27, 30-31
Was Mary told anything about who this child really was?
Luke 1:32-33
Did Mary ask for proof or help believing this amazing announcement as Zechariah had?
Luke 1:34
How would Mary become pregnant even though it would be months before Joseph took her in?
Luke 1:35
Although she didn't ask for it, what proof did Gabriel give Mary for this impossible birth?
Luke 1:36-37
How faithfully did Mary accept this promise?
Luke 1:38

With whom could Mary share this great news who wouldn't call her crazy?
Luke 1:39-40
Town assumed to be Hebron, a Levite town in the Judean hill country (Joshua 21:10-11)
Hebron - Promise to Isaac, circumcision instituted, Abraham's first land, David crowned,
Abraham/Sarah/Isaac/Rebekah/Jacob/Leah buried there

How was the promise to Mary confirmed by Elizabeth even before they saw each other?
Luke 1:41
How do we know Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and not just happy to see her relative?
Luke 1:42-43
What did Elizabeth say to explain how she knew Mary would be the mother of the Messiah?
Luke 1:44
How could a baby leaping in a womb be taken as a sign from God?
Luke 1:15
Did Elizabeth praise Mary for being so holy that she would bear God's Son?
Luke 1:45

How did Mary respond to Elizabeth's strange greeting?
Luke 1:46-47
Hebrew poetry often used synonymous parallelism (second line reiterates the first)

What great things did Mary praise God for that He had done for her?
Luke 1:48-49
Was Mary boasting of herself when she said all generations will call me blessed?
1 Corinthians 1:26-31

What great things did Mary praise God for that He has done for us?
Luke 1:50-53
How has God scattered those who are proud and brought down rulers from their thrones?
Matthew 23:2, 5-7, 11-12 (Rom 9:30-10:4)
How do we see He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty?
Mark 10:21-23, 26-27
How does Jesus later explain these contrasts of humility and self-righteousness?
Matthew 5:6 (3-12)
(See also Proverbs 3:34; Isaiah 2:11-12, 17; Psalm 107:9)

What great things did Mary praise God for that He has done for Israel?
Luke 1:54-55
Why is it important to us that God has remembered to be merciful to His chosen people Israel?
Deuteronomy 7:7-9

How long did Mary stay with Elizabeth?
Luke 1:56
What surprised Joseph when he welcomed his betrothed Mary back to Nazareth?
Matthew 1:18-19
How did God protect the legal legitimacy of His only Son?
Matthew 1:20, 24-25

What happened soon after Mary returned to Nazareth?
Luke 1:57-58
When a birth was near, friends and local musicians would gather by the house
When a boy was born, the musicians started playing and everyone celebrated
If it was a girl, the musicians would leave quietly - Romans might throw the girl away
Double celebration at this birth - Barren Elizabeth was blessed with a son

What would happen to a Jewish boy eight days after his birth?
Genesis 17:12
Names were descriptive, parent's names were often given
Neighbors and relatives would often help name a child:
Ruth 4:16-17
What name did Elizabeth's neighbors and friends naturally want to give this child?
Luke 1:59-61

How were the neighbors able to get Zechariah's decision since he couldn't speak or hear?
Luke 1:62-63
Writing tablet - Hollowed out wooden board filled with wax, inscribe into the wax
What happened after Zechariah had officially given his son the unprecedented name John?
Luke 1:64
How did the neighbors respond to Zechariah's sudden ability to speak?
Luke 1:65
How did others respond when they heard what had happened?
Luke 1:66

Besides the ability to speak, how else was Zechariah blessed after John was named?
Luke 1:67
Did Zechariah praise God for sending him this special son despite his old age?
Luke 1:68

Why did Zechariah praise God for coming? Didn't they believe He was always there?
Luke 7:16-17
If the people recognized Jesus as God come down, why did they kill Him?
Luke 19:41, 44
Did Jesus' followers understand that He came to redeem (pay the price) for Israel?
Luke 24:20-21

What did Zechariah say that told those around that He was speaking of the Messiah?
Luke 1:69
What did Jews think of when prophets spoke about a horn?
Daniel 7:8, 24
How would the people understand Zechariah's reference to a horn in David's house?
Psalm 132:17

How does Zechariah make sure that those listening recognized what he is saying?
Luke 1:70
What was God doing for His people by sending this Messiah?
Luke 1:71-73
Why was God doing this?
Luke 1:74-75

How well did Zechariah understand his son's role in God's plan?
Luke 1:76-77
What prophesy did Zechariah understand that his son John would fulfill?
Isaiah 40:3-5
Why had Zechariah sung about the Messiah when thanking God for sending John?
Malachi 3:1
Is Zechariah praising God for sending John or the sun of righteousness promised in Malachi 4:2?
Luke 1:78-79
How would this rising sun shine on those living in darkness?
Isaiah 60:1-3

How was John raised in preparation for his ministry?
Luke 1:80