FIRST BAPTIST CONCORD HOME FOR CHRISTMAS WHEN JOY COMES HOME (LUKE 1:39-55) DECEMBER 15, 2013 PREPARATION > SPEND THE WEEK STUDYING LUKE 1:39-55. Consult the commentary provided and any additional study tools (such as a concordance or Bible dictionary) to enhance your preparation. > DETERMINE which discussion points and questions will work best with your group. > PRAY for Pastor John and the “Home for Christmas” sermon series, the upcoming group meeting, your teaching, your group members, and their receptivity to the lesson. HIGHLIGHTS > BIBLICAL EMPHASIS: Luke 1:39-55 tells about Mary’s visit to Elizabeth after the angel visited Mary and told her about Jesus’ coming birth. This passage also includes Mary’s song, in which she praises God for what He was about to do and for the part she was privileged to play in His redemptive plan. > LIFE APPLICATION: The joy of God is made known in Jesus. Jesus’ coming brought Mary and Elizabeth great joy, and that joy was the basis of their relationship with each other. Even John the Baptist was joyful. Jesus’ coming brings great joy to us as well, even more so because of what He has done for us. LESSON OUTLINE 1. Jesus’ birth is the source of joy (Luke 1:39-45). 2. We find joy in acknowledging who God is (Luke 1:46-50). 3. We find joy in how God works (Luke 1:51-53). 4. We find joy in the reliability of God (Luke 1:54-55). 1 WHEN JOY COMES HOME FIRST BAPTIST CONCORD DEC. 15 INTRODUCTION As your group time begins, use this section to help get the conversation going. Spend a few minutes discussing what real joy looks like and why it should be a by-product of one’s relationship with Jesus. How would you define authentic joy? How is it different than happiness? Can you share about a time when you were joyful, even though you weren’t all that happy? What are some of the things in life that steal our joy? Which of these do you fight against most often? What are specific reasons Jesus is a source of joy for you? Jesus’ identity as our Savior is the ultimate demonstration of God’s grace in the lives of His children. We did nothing to deserve a Savior, but through God’s Son, a way was made for us to experience redemption, the atonement for our sins and eternity with God. The truth of God’s grace should be a source of immeasurable joy for us, as it was for Mary. As we study Luke 1 this week, ask yourself: Is the joy you find in Christ evident to the people in your life? UNDERSTANDING Unpack the biblical text to discover what Scripture says or means about a particular topic. Luke began his Gospel by telling how the angel Gabriel had announced the coming birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah (1:5-25). Immediately after that, Luke told of Gabriel’s announcement to Mary of Jesus’ coming birth (1:26-38). 2 WHEN JOY COMES HOME FIRST BAPTIST CONCORD DEC. 15 Shortly after Gabriel left, Mary traveled to Judah to check on her relative, Elizabeth, whom she had just learned (from the angel) was pregnant. 1. Jesus’ birth is the source of joy (Luke 1:39-45). > HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ LUKE 1:39-45. Describe the setting of Luke 1:39-56 and what you think this experience meant to both women. How might Mary have felt when Elizabeth greeted her? Why did John the Baptist leap in Elizabeth’s womb? Upon Mary’s arrival, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth acknowledged the favor and grace God showed her by sending Mary, the mother of “my Lord” (v. 43) to her. What is the significance of each statement in Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary (vv. 42-45)? How is Mary “blessed” and encouraged? How did Mary respond to her greeting? Elizabeth named Mary as the most blessed of women, because of the unique nature of the Child that Mary would bear. Elizabeth also stated that Mary was blessed because of her faith that the angel’s promise would come true. This blessing is not to be interpreted as a call to praise/bless Mary, but as an affirmation that God bestowed His grace on Mary. Elizabeth interpreted what she felt as her baby’s leaping for joy as a sign that God’s message to Mary through Gabriel would be fulfilled. In response Mary burst out in a song of praise (1:46-55). 3 WHEN JOY COMES HOME FIRST BAPTIST CONCORD DEC. 15 2. We find joy in acknowledging who God is (Luke 1:46-50). > HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ LUKE 1:46-50. For what does Mary praise God in the beginning of her song, verses 46-48? Why did Mary rejoice over God’s actions toward her? How did Mary view herself? The first words of Mary’s song celebrate God’s greatness. She continually magnified or praised God with her total being (soul). Mary stressed God’s greatness expressed in His power to save. Note her recognition that God was her Savior as well as Savior of all who would respond in faith to the coming Messiah. Mary rejoiced that God came near to her and rescued her from her lowly state. He bestowed on her a unique privilege. She experienced the freedom to serve the One who showered His grace on her. What reason did Mary give for her joy in Luke 1:48? What is the result according to the end of verse 48? Mary acknowledged that God looked with favor on her. This divine act of kindness served as the basis for her praise. There is a beautiful balance in Mary’s hymn of praise. She expressed humble recognition of the greatness and holy nature of God and His grace on His voluntary slave. As a result of God’s selection, Mary realized that coming generations would call her blessed. Believers in the future would acknowledge the mighty work God did in her. This served not for her praise but for God’s. Jesus’ birth took place because of God’s work. Similarly, Mary’s blessing came through what God did in her. He enabled her to serve Him in ways that called attention to His greatness. These truths led Mary to rejoice in the Lord. 4 WHEN JOY COMES HOME FIRST BAPTIST CONCORD DEC. 15 In verses 49-50, Mary rejoiced in God’s attributes, His qualities. What specific attributes of God does Mary draw attention to in these two verses? How does reflecting on God’s attributes affect the way you worship? Mary glorified God for three specific attributes—His power, holiness, and mercy. She also reflected on the “great things” God had done for her. As affirmed in Deuteronomy 10:21, God does “great things.” Whereas in Deuteronomy this refers to God’s having worked his wonders for Israel in leading them out of Egypt, here the “great things” refers to the virginal conception of Jesus, who in His ministry would bring about the events described in the second half of Mary’s song (vv. 51-55). God’s holiness here refers not simply to His moral perfection but even more to His acts of righteousness and justice by which He fulfills His covenantal promises to the humble and lowly and brings judgment upon the unrighteous and haughty (see 1:51-52). God’s gracious mercy comes upon the humble devout (such as Mary) who “fear,” or reverently obey, Him. Mary’s affirmation of God’s character recalls several Old Testament passages. Take a minute to read aloud some of these verses: Zephaniah 3:17; Psalm 99:3; Isaiah 57:15; Psalm 103:17. What great things has God done in your life? Why did God choose to bless Mary? Why would God choose to bless you and me? How surrendered do you think Mary was to God’s will for her life? How surrendered are you to God’s will for your life? 5 WHEN JOY COMES HOME FIRST BAPTIST CONCORD DEC. 15 3. We find joy in how God works (Luke 1:51-53). > HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ LUKE 1:51-53. In her song, Mary moved from praising God for who He is and His blessing to describing the significance of His redemptive act for believing Israel. Following the prophets’ manner of speaking and writing, she sang of future events with certainty as though they already had occurred. Mary described God’s remarkable activity in bringing the Messiah to fulfill God’s kingdom. What works of God does Mary mention in these verses? Discuss how God exerts strength in the power of His arm over the world. God’s providing the Savior would be a mighty deed—an awesome display of strength. In Psalm 89:13, the psalmist wrote of God: “You have a mighty arm; Your hand is powerful.” The writer of Psalm 98:1 praised God because “His right hand and holy arm” had gained Him victory. How has God displayed His mighty power in your life recently? What contrasts or role reversals does Mary make in this passage? How do these reflect her feelings about God? About herself? Mary emphasized the great reversals that would occur as a result of God’s gift of the Messiah. Her words reveal that God works in amazing and surprising ways. The mighty who occupied thrones could have been literal rulers.