Bible reading (ESV)
Luke 1:5–25
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. For he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended he went to his home. 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
Observation questions
- What indicators in Luke 1:6–7 describe Zechariah and Elizabeth’s standing before God, and how do those details contrast with their emotional condition? (Look for words about righteousness, obedience, and their childlessness.)
- Where and when does the angel appear to Zechariah, and how does that timing underline the idea of “divine interruption” coming in the ordinary? [23:45]
- What specific purposes are assigned to the child (John) in verses 15–17, and which phrases show that his role extended beyond a private blessing to a public, redemptive mission?
- What is the immediate consequence of Zechariah’s doubt in verses 18–22, and how is that consequence described in the narrative?
Interpretation questions
- The narrative places the angel’s visit “while he was serving” (vv. 8–11). What does it mean theologically for God to interrupt ordinary service with a prophetic word? How might that shape a congregation’s understanding of faithful daily duty? [23:45]
- Verse 20 says Zechariah was made “silent… because you did not believe.” What are possible theological reasons that silence could function as protection rather than only punishment? How does this idea affect how one understands seasons of enforced quiet? [42:30]
- Verses 16–17 connect a personal child to a mission (turning many to the Lord; “in the spirit and power of Elijah”). How should believers interpret the connection between private blessing and public/kingdom purpose? What does that imply about expectations for personal miracles? [37:42]
- Zechariah measures the promise by age and barrenness (v. 18). How should a believer weigh present limitations against God’s promise language? What hermeneutical principle explains why God’s “math” differs from human math? [30:54]
Application questions
- Identify a hope or prayer you put “in the file” and stopped speaking about. What would handing that hope back to God look like this week (a specific action, a prayer, a conversation)? [50:29]
- Name one ordinary responsibility you are faithfully carrying right now (family, work, ministry). What would it mean to “stay in position” there and expect a divine interruption? Who can you tell so they can pray with you? [23:45]
- Think of a season of silence in your life that felt like punishment or absence. How might you reframe that season as protection for a promise? What small spiritual practice (listening prayer, journaling, fasting, counsel) will you try to receive God’s purposes in that silence? [42:30]
- List one personal limitation you believe blocks a promise (age, resources, ability). What is one concrete step you can take this month to treat that limitation as a “launching pad” (e.g., invite help, take one step of obedience, give the obstacle to God)? [30:54]
- Consider a gift or blessing you long for that could have ripple effects beyond you (family reconciliation, a child’s faith, a ministry breakthrough). What is one “yes” you can give to God today that aligns your readiness with a larger mission? [37:42]
- When God reopens speech and praise, the first sound in Luke is praise. What short, true praise statement could you practice now so it becomes your first response when breakthrough comes? Make it specific (one sentence) and share it with the group. [45:40]
Use this guide to read Luke 1:5–25 together, let the passage speak, and then work through the questions in order—Observation → Interpretation → Application—so the group moves from what the text says to what it means and finally to what each person will do in response.
