Promised Savior – Wk 3
Luke 1:26-38 (NLT)
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”
29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.”
38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
1. Trusting God’s wisdom is often a gradual process.
– Questioned thoughtfully.
– Accepted willingly.
– Submitted joyfully.
2. Connect with people who have like-minded expectations.
Luke 1:39-45 (NLT)
39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”
3. Create a soundtrack of trust.
Luke 1:46-50 (NLT)
46 Mary responded,“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
50 He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.
– I will magnify the Lord in every situation.
– I will find joy in God, my savior.
– I will never forget what God has done.
COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING OUTLINE
Where your faith intersects with real life!
Reconnect:
Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.
Explore:
Review the message notes.
Big Idea: Jesus entered a cold world of grief and loss to bring joy. Trusting God’s wisdom is the key to unlocking the promise of indescribable joy.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Read Mary’s story in Luke 1:26-38. Which part of Mary’s processing God’s word to her resonates with you at this time in your life? (That she questioned thoughtfully, accepted willingly, or submitted joyfully?)
▶ Read Luke 1:29-45. Mary and Elizabeth connected and mutually encouraged each other. Share about a time when you experienced cross generational encouragement, or share someone you want to intentionally encourage in something this season.
▶ Read Luke 1:46-49. What are some of the other ways Mary could have responded to her situation?
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share your decision with the Group.
Read James 1:2. Ask God to highlight one “trouble” area where you can choose to magnify God’s presence and find joy.
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Take some time in prayer, perhaps popcorn style, to recall situations in your life where God has shown himself to you and thank him in joy!