What Mary Knew

GATHERING TOGETHER

Welcome one another, catch up with one another, and share personal stories to encourage, strengthen, and support at a time of isolation and discouragement.

PRAYING TOGETHER

Pray for the well-being of our congregation and community (spiritual, emotional, physical), particularly during this holiday season that can be a trying time for many.

IN THE WORD TOGETHER

Let’s focus our attention on this Advent on the wonderful gift of Christ, given by the Father out of his storehouse of love, grace, and mercy for our salvation!

SERVING TOGETHER

Perhaps mutual service can be an uplifting practice this holiday season

  • Christmas Toyshop OR Bless a Family - see THE WEEKLY for details

REVIEW QUESTION

Like in Daniel, Gabriel kicks off the story by sharing heavenly news. What are some of the similarities and/or differences you see between Daniel’s first response to this celestial visitor and Mary’s first response?

STARTER QUESTION

”Advent begins in the dark [of our sins].” How has the darkness of the season we’ve walked through thus far in 2020 shaped the way you see the brilliant light of Christ’s birth we celebrate in Advent? How is this Advent different for you than in previous years?

IN THE BOOK

Below there are three different types of questions, so we encourage you to seek a balance if possible. In addition, there is a Leader Study Notes section for further study!

  1. The Understanding questions are designed to refresh your group's memory about the text. These can be answered fairly briefly without a need for longer discussion.

  2. Application questions are structured to draw out the ways the text, as preached, calls us to live. You should make a strong effort in your group to point people to Scripture as they’re discussing these.

  3. We’ve built out Personal Sharing questions that connect with the sermon, but make a more conscious effort to allow the members of your group to know each other better. These help to build a sense of trust by giving people a chance to share their lived experiences.

We pray that as you consider which of these questions work best for your group that God blesses your time together so that the Word of Christ “dwells in you more richly” and you become “knit together in love” as a community.

Gabriel Reveals Jesus' Birth to Mary

READ: Luke 1:26-38

UNDERSTANDING:

v. 28-29 — Why might have Mary been “troubled” by Gabriel’s initial greeting? (Heath referenced OT examples of Hagar, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon …)

v. 36 — What is the purpose of Gabriel sharing Elizabeth’s pregnancy with Mary?

APPLICATION:

When Mary asks how she will come to be with child, Gabriel shared that the Holy Spirit would bring life and light to her womb. How does his response to her question illustrate a way God responds to the questioning of His people in Scripture? What word in her question demonstrates her faith? (How?)

How does Mary’s acknowledgment that she is God’s “servant” demonstrate “raw trust and obedience”?

PERSONAL SHARING:

Think back to a time when you were presented with challenging or difficult news. How did you respond? What might have shaped your response to be more like Mary’s?

Mary Visits Elizabeth

READ: Luke 1:39-45

UNDERSTANDING:

v. 42-45 — Elizabeth is filled with both joy and the Holy Spirit when Mary greets her. Why is this the case?

APPLICATION:

The exchange between Mary and Elizabeth illustrates how our obedience to God is a blessing to the world. Consider some of the other examples of this in Scripture. What are some of the key markers of what God-fearing obedience looks like?

PERSONAL SHARING:

The same Holy Spirit who placed Jesus in Mary dwells in us. — When have you been most aware of this?

Mary's Song

READ: Luke 1:46-55

UNDERSTANDING:

What are some of the songs that have been “remixed” into Mary’s “Magnificat”?

v. 46-49 — How has Mary’s reaction to the news of the baby growing inside her changed over the course of these verses?

APPLICATION:

What do you think the function of turning the promises of God into song throughout Scripture is?

The Hebrew word for faithfulness used in this passage is “hesed,” which can be translated as “loyal love.” How did the Lord demonstrate His loyal love to Mary? Why is this nuance so important?

How do the words of Mary’s song remind us that it pleases God “to turn the power structures of this world upside down”?

PERSONAL SHARING:

“Christmas is the faithfulness of God taking on flesh. It becomes ours by trusting in Him.” Where have you seen the faithfulness of God in this difficult season of life we’ve faced this year?

The last two reflections Heath shared in this sermon were:

  1. Our faithfulness is a response to God who was faithful to us first.

  2. Jesus is the faithfulness of God in flesh.

How does knowing Christ as the initiator of our life of faith change the way you see yourself and others? What expression of “faithfulness” do you see God calling you to specifically now?

LEADER STUDY NOTES:

No Leader Notes this week.

ONE ANOTHERING:

Whether you are meeting together or not, check in with one another to make sure that everyone is cared for and has what they need. Does someone in your group need help with grocery shopping, childcare, or caring for themselves? Keep a list of the ways you can provide care as a comGroup.

Remember that the Benevolence Ministry is a resource for our comGroups.

  • How can we love or serve one another this week?