Even Mary, who was intimately familiar with Jesus, had to grow in understanding who He truly was. This message challenges all of us—there is always more to learn about His nature, His mission, and what He’s calling us to. No matter how long we’ve known Him, there’s still room to grow.
Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own or get together with your group, spiritual running partners, or family to talk through what you are learning.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Who is the most famous person you have ever encountered and what was the occasion? What was your reaction to seeing them? How was this person treated and how did others react to them?
- Read Luke 1:5-1:38 and compare and contrast Zechariah and Mary’s separate encounters with the angel, Gabriel.
- What are the similarities and differences?
- What conclusions are we meant to come to by seeing these stories side-by-side?
- What do these encounters reveal to us about who God is and how He has chosen to work out His plan of coming to earth?
- Is this how you would choose to make your grand entrance if you were God?
3. Read Luke 2:1-7. What challenging things did Mary face as the one chosen to carry the Son of God? How do we see her living out her submission and trust in God that she declared in 1:38? Do you have the same heart posture toward God right now? If not, what would it take to shift your heart in the right direction?
4. Read Luke 1:46-55 and 2:8-20. How do you see Mary’s song coming to life in the scene with the shepherds? What is profound about the kinds of people that are getting a front-row seat to the most important event in history?
- What aspect of the Christmas story is grabbing your attention so far and why? What does it mean to “treasure up all these things, pondering them in [you] heart” as Mary did? How can you make it a practice of doing this throughout your daily life and how might you be impacted as a result?
KEY SCRIPTURE
- Luke 1:5-1:38
- Luke 2:1-7
- Luke 1:46-55
- Luke 2:8-20
PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
My soul glorifies You, and my spirit rejoices in You, my Savior. For You have looked with favor upon me, Your humble servant. You have seen me in my weakness and chosen me to be a part of Your great plan, and for that, I am filled with awe and gratitude.
You, O Lord, are mighty and holy, and Your mercy extends from generation to generation. You have done great things for me and for all Your people. You are a God who lifts up the lowly and scatters the proud. You show strength in Your arm and bring down the powerful from their thrones, raising up those who are humble and lowly in spirit.
Lord, Your promise is steadfast and true. You remember Your mercy and fulfill Your promises to our ancestors, to Abraham and his descendants, forever. I stand in reverence of Your greatness and commit my life to serve You with the same humility and trust that Mary showed. May I walk in Your ways, always seeking to honor You with my heart, mind, and deeds.
Thank You for Your faithfulness and Your unending love. Help me to carry Your hope into the world and to magnify You with my life, so that Your light may shine in me and through me, bringing glory to Your holy name.
Amen.
PRACTICE
Spend time pondering one aspect of the Christmas story so far and ask the questions, “God, what are you inviting me to see more clearly and know more deeply? And how do you want me to grow as a result?”
What (if anything) is keeping you from having a heart posture like Mary’s that says, “I am the servant of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word”? Make that your prayer this week.
Check out this beautiful song as you ponder Mary’s story this week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF3LKHIYl2U&list=PLM6KYOJ9Zr08mp1dBV9hXw_GroKTyBTln&index=3