1. In Luke 1:6, we are told that Zechariah and Elizabeth were both righteous and blameless before God. What an example of Christian marriage for us to follow! How can couples help each other to be more and more righteous and blameless in God’s sight?
We can talk about spiritual things, keep each other accountable, and set a good example for one another.
2. Verse 7 says they were not able to have children, even though both of them were in good standing with God. What does this tell us about the misfortunes of life?
Negative things that happen to us are not punishment from God.
3. In verse 13, an angel tells Zechariah that God has heard his prayer, and that he will have a son. Apparently, Zechariah had been praying for a child and was now assured that he would receive his request. Have you ever prayed for something and had God communicate to you that He would grant it?
When we’re close to the Holy Spirit, He will often confirm our prayers and assure us that He will grant them. We get a sense that what we have prayed, God will grant.
John 14:12-14 - Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it.
4. Why was John never to drink alcohol? (verse 15)
Numbers 6:1-8 - The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of dedication to the Lord as a Nazirite, they must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or other fermented drink. They must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins. As long as they remain under their Nazirite vow, they must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins. During the entire period of their Nazirite vow, no razor may be used on their head. They must be holy until the period of their dedication to the Lord is over; they must let their hair grow long. Throughout the period of their dedication to the Lord, the Nazirite must not go near a dead body. Even if their own father or mother or brother or sister dies, they must not make themselves ceremonially unclean on account of them, because the symbol of their dedication to God is on their head. 8 Throughout the period of their dedication, they are consecrated to the Lord.
Not drinking alcohol is an outward symbol of John’s dedication to God.
5. What outward signs can we show of our dedication to God?
We might show our dedication to God by wearing a cross or placing a Christian bumper sticker on our car, but the best outward sign of our dedication to God is our Christian behavior and resistance to sin. We show our dedication by obeying His commands.
6. Why is John compared to Elijah? (verse 17)
Elijah was the first full-time prophet, just as John would be. Note, though, that Elijah performed miracles. We don’t have any record of John the Baptist performing miracles. His power was in his preaching.
7. Why would Zechariah be unable to speak until John was born?
Because he did not believe Gabriel’s announcement.
8. How might God punish us for not believing His words to us?
We might miss out on an opportunity God has for us. We might miss out on a blessing. Ultimately, if we don’t believe God’s words regarding how we can be saved, we’ll be separated from Him.
9. When Elizabeth became pregnant, she stayed in seclusion for five months. Why would she do that?
Maybe she was afraid she would lose the child and didn’t want anyone to know about the pregnancy until she was confident in its health.
10. Elizabeth says God has taken away her disgrace. Why did she feel disgraced?
As a woman, her role in society was to bear children, which she had been unable to do until now.
11. What might make a woman feel disgraced in our society?
An example could be not having a career when the opportunities are open to them, or having a career and not being a stay-at-home wife and mother.
What to Do after reading this passage
John was to take certain actions to show he was set apart for God. Ask the Lord what He would have you do this week to specifically show you are dedicated to Him.
1. In verses 28 and 30, Gabriel tells Mary that God favors her. What can we tell about Mary that would cause God to favor her?
Mary is humble, trusting, and obedient. When she accepts the task God has given her, she’s simply acting according to her nature. She was a true servant of God before and after Gabriel appeared to her.
2. Mary’s Son would be adopted by Joseph, a descendant of King David, meaning He would be the legal heir to the throne of Israel. But He wasn’t Joseph’s biological Son. The Child was miraculously conceived in Mary through the power of God. Why is it important for the Child to be, literally, the Son of God?
John 5:16-18 - So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute Him. In His defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too am working.” For this reason they tried all the more to kill Him; not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
A son in that culture typically carried on his father’s work, just as Jesus carried on God’s work. And a son is equal to his father in that they hold the same position. John Doe, Jr. will one day take the place of John Doe, Sr. Even while they’re both alive, both are Mr. Doe. They’re the same in that regard. In regard to the Trinity, God’s Son is the same as God in His Divine attributes.
If Jesus did not share God’s infinite nature, He couldn’t take the punishment for an infinite number of sins. As a perfect man, He would be able to take the punishment for one person’s sins only.
3. In verse 37, Gabriel says “For no word from God will ever fail.” What comfort can we take from this statement?
All of God’s promises will come true. Even in our own lives, if God communicates something to us, it will happen. God is never wrong. Nothing can stop God’s plan.
4. In verses 39-45, we read that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke prophetically about matters she had no prior knowledge of. She acknowledges Mary’s pregnancy (which she probably didn’t know about before Mary’s visit) and acknowledges Mary’s Baby as her Lord. What does this show us about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives?
The Spirit can reveal things to us that we would not know without His inspiration.
1 Corinthians 12:8 - To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit
5. Mary’s song begins on a personal note, but then she starts talking about God removing rulers from their thrones and sending the rich away empty to lift up the poor and feed the hungry. Why do these things have to do with her Son?
Like Elizabeth, Mary is prophesying. She’s foreseeing what her Son will do when He reigns as King. She may not have known that this would not be fulfilled until Christ’s second coming.
6. In verses 59-63, Elizabeth and Zechariah confirm their son’s name to be John, which means God is Gracious. How is God’s grace shown in the life of John?
God was gracious to Zechariah and Elizabeth in giving them a child, but He is also showing His grace in using John to call people back to Himself. Any time God reaches out to us, it’s an expression of grace. We don’t deserve for God to call us to repentance or offer us forgiveness, but He’s gracious, so He does.
What to do after reading this passage
Jesus was to carry on His Father's work. Now, we are adopted by that same Father. Ask Him what work of His He would have you continue this week.
Do you have another insight into this passage? Please share below!
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