Faith and Community: Lessons from Mary and Elizabeth
Summary
Merry Christmas, everyone. Today, we explored the intriguing differences in the Christmas narratives across the Gospels, focusing on the unique story of Mary and Elizabeth in the Gospel of Luke. These two women, though vastly different in age and life circumstances, were united by miraculous pregnancies that defied human understanding. Elizabeth, married to a priest and considered very old, was childless—a condition seen as a disgrace in her culture. Yet, God blessed her with a child. Mary, a young virgin engaged to Joseph, was chosen to bear the Son of God. Their stories remind us of the power of faith and the importance of community in nurturing that faith.
Elizabeth and Mary’s connection highlights how faith develops best in community. Despite their differences, they supported each other through their extraordinary experiences. Elizabeth’s improbable pregnancy and Mary’s impossible one brought them together, allowing them to encourage each other to believe the unbelievable. Elizabeth’s faith in Mary’s divine pregnancy provided Mary with the support she needed when others doubted her. This story teaches us that we need people in our lives who believe in what God is doing in us, even when it seems unbelievable.
Moreover, their relationship shows us the importance of trusting God with our questions. Mary faced many challenges, from societal rejection to the hardships of her journey to Bethlehem. Yet, through her time with Elizabeth, she learned to trust God’s plan, even when it was difficult to understand. This trust is crucial for us as well, especially when we face trials and uncertainties.
Finally, Mary and Elizabeth’s story emphasizes focusing on God’s worthiness rather than our own. Despite the miraculous roles they played, they remained humble, recognizing that their worthiness came from God’s work in their lives. Mary’s song of praise reflects this humility, reminding us that God is the hero of our stories, not us.
As we reflect on these lessons, let us remember that faith flourishes in community. We need others to pour into us, and we need to pour into others. This Christmas, let us celebrate not just the birth of Christ, but also the community of faith that supports and strengthens us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Faith Develops Best in Community: Mary and Elizabeth’s relationship shows that faith grows when nurtured in community. Their support for each other during their miraculous pregnancies highlights the importance of having people who believe in what God is doing in us, even when it seems unbelievable. [43:29]
2. Believing the Unbelievable: Elizabeth’s improbable pregnancy and Mary’s impossible one teach us to believe in God’s power beyond human understanding. Elizabeth’s faith in Mary’s divine pregnancy provided Mary with the support she needed when others doubted her. We need people who encourage us to believe in God’s extraordinary plans for our lives. [48:07]
3. Trusting God with Our Questions: Mary’s journey was filled with challenges, yet she learned to trust God’s plan through her time with Elizabeth. This trust is crucial for us, especially when we face trials and uncertainties. We must remember that God is at work, even when we don’t understand His ways. [54:39]
4. Focusing on God’s Worthiness: Despite their miraculous roles, Mary and Elizabeth remained humble, recognizing that their worthiness came from God’s work in their lives. Mary’s song of praise reflects this humility, reminding us that God is the hero of our stories, not us. [58:35]
5. The Importance of Community in Faith: The story of Mary and Elizabeth emphasizes the need for community in our faith journey. We need others to pour into us, and we need to pour into others. This Christmas, let us celebrate not just the birth of Christ, but also the community of faith that supports and strengthens us. [01:01:21]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Gospel Narratives at Christmas
- [01:30] - The Story of Mary and Elizabeth
- [30:24] - Elizabeth’s Background
- [31:24] - The Challenge of Childlessness
- [33:26] - Mary’s Background
- [35:21] - Unexpected Pregnancies
- [36:16] - Elizabeth’s Seclusion
- [39:33] - Angel’s Visit to Mary
- [41:39] - Mary Visits Elizabeth
- [43:29] - Faith in Community
- [44:33] - Believing the Unbelievable
- [52:35] - Trusting God with Questions
- [57:15] - Focusing on God’s Worthiness
- [01:01:21] - The Role of Community in Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 1:5-7
- Luke 1:26-38
- Luke 1:39-45
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Observation Questions:
1. What were the circumstances surrounding Elizabeth's life before her pregnancy, and how did her community view her childlessness? ([31:24])
2. How did Mary respond to the angel's message about her miraculous pregnancy, and what does this reveal about her character? ([40:32])
3. Describe the initial interaction between Mary and Elizabeth when Mary visited her. What was Elizabeth's reaction, and what does it signify? ([48:07])
4. How long did Mary stay with Elizabeth, and what might have been the significance of this time together? ([42:34])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth illustrate the concept that "faith develops best in community"? What specific aspects of their interaction support this idea? ([43:29])
2. In what ways did Elizabeth's faith in Mary's divine pregnancy provide Mary with the support she needed? How might this reflect the importance of having believers who encourage us? ([48:07])
3. How did Mary's time with Elizabeth help her to trust God with her questions and uncertainties? What lessons can be drawn from their shared experiences? ([54:39])
4. How does Mary's song of praise reflect her humility and focus on God's worthiness rather than her own? What does this teach us about our own attitudes towards God's work in our lives? ([58:35])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when someone in your community supported your faith journey. How did their belief in you impact your faith, and how can you be that person for someone else? ([48:07])
2. Mary and Elizabeth faced societal challenges and personal doubts. How do you handle doubts and questions in your faith journey? What steps can you take to trust God more deeply in uncertain times? ([54:39])
3. Consider the role of community in your faith life. Who are the people that pour into you, and who do you pour into? How can you strengthen these relationships? ([01:01:21])
4. Mary's humility is evident in her song of praise. How can you cultivate a similar attitude of humility in your life, focusing on God's worthiness rather than your own achievements? ([58:35])
5. Think about a current challenge or trial you are facing. How can you seek support from your faith community to help you navigate this situation? What specific actions can you take this week to reach out for or offer support? ([54:39])
6. How can you celebrate the community of faith in your life this Christmas season? What are some practical ways you can express gratitude and strengthen these bonds? ([01:01:21])
7. Identify one person in your life who might be struggling with their faith. How can you encourage them to believe in what God is doing in their life, even if it seems unbelievable? ([48:07])
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Flourishes in Community
Faith is nurtured and grows best when shared within a supportive community. Mary and Elizabeth's relationship exemplifies how faith can be strengthened through mutual support and encouragement. Despite their differences in age and life circumstances, they were united by their miraculous pregnancies, which defied human understanding. Elizabeth, who was considered too old to bear a child, and Mary, a young virgin chosen to bear the Son of God, found solace and strength in each other's company. Their story reminds us of the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who believe in what God is doing in our lives, even when it seems unbelievable. This community of faith is essential for nurturing and sustaining our spiritual journey. [43:29]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life encourages your faith journey? How can you intentionally invest in that relationship this week to strengthen your mutual faith?
Day 2: Embracing the Unbelievable
The stories of Elizabeth and Mary teach us to believe in God's power beyond human understanding. Elizabeth's improbable pregnancy and Mary's impossible one serve as reminders that God can accomplish extraordinary things in our lives. Elizabeth's faith in Mary's divine pregnancy provided Mary with the support she needed when others doubted her. This teaches us the importance of having people who encourage us to believe in God's extraordinary plans for our lives. We are called to trust in God's power and to surround ourselves with those who will support us in believing the unbelievable. [48:07]
"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to believe in God's power? How can you seek support from your community to strengthen your faith in this area?
Day 3: Trusting God with Our Questions
Mary's journey was filled with challenges, from societal rejection to the hardships of her journey to Bethlehem. Yet, through her time with Elizabeth, she learned to trust God's plan, even when it was difficult to understand. This trust is crucial for us as well, especially when we face trials and uncertainties. We must remember that God is at work, even when we don't understand His ways. Trusting God with our questions means surrendering our need for control and embracing His divine plan for our lives. [54:39]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What is a current challenge or uncertainty you are facing? How can you practice trusting God with this situation today?
Day 4: Recognizing God's Worthiness
Despite the miraculous roles they played, Mary and Elizabeth remained humble, recognizing that their worthiness came from God's work in their lives. Mary's song of praise reflects this humility, reminding us that God is the hero of our stories, not us. This perspective shifts our focus from our own achievements to God's worthiness and His work in our lives. It encourages us to live with humility and gratitude, acknowledging that our worth comes from Him alone. [58:35]
"For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from your own accomplishments to God's work in your life? How can you practice humility and gratitude today?
Day 5: The Role of Community in Faith
The story of Mary and Elizabeth emphasizes the need for community in our faith journey. We need others to pour into us, and we need to pour into others. This Christmas, let us celebrate not just the birth of Christ, but also the community of faith that supports and strengthens us. By investing in our faith community, we create a space where faith can flourish and where we can grow together in our spiritual journey. [01:01:21]
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to your faith community this week? What specific actions can you take to support and encourage others in their faith journey?
Quotes
"Faith develops best in community. That when I have things going on in my life, I need people involved with me, and other people need me." [00:43:29] (20 seconds)
"And the first is this, they encouraged each other to believe the unbelievable. So, Elizabeth, we would at least have to call her pregnancy improbable." [00:44:10] (17 seconds)
"And through in vitro, there's records of women who've had babies into their 70s, to which I say, why? But it's out there." [00:44:45] (13 seconds)
"And while some of us might look at Elizabeth's pregnancy and say, well, it's improbable, Luke would say, no, it's a miracle." [00:45:06] (10 seconds)
"But Mary, her pregnancy wasn't improbable. It was impossible." [00:45:08] (9 seconds)
"And I believe in what God is doing in you. Let me tell you, there are times in my life and in yours when I just need someone to say, I believe in what God is doing in you." [00:48:39] (18 seconds)
"Last but not least, they encouraged each other to focus on God's worthiness and not theirs." [00:58:35] (8 seconds)
"Could I remind you of what Mary said? In your Bibles, it's referred to as Mary's song. Because in the Greek language, there's a rhyme to it. Mary said this." [00:58:47] (17 seconds)
"My soul glorifies the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God, my Savior. For he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant." [00:58:55] (12 seconds)
"Faith develops best in community. It develops best when we have people involved in our lives, when we talk about our faith, when we gather at Christmas and are able to tell stories of God's goodness." [01:01:21] (16 seconds)
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