Bible reading (ESV)
Luke 1:5–38
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the priestly 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. And he remained mute.
23 After the days of his service were 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.”
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Observation questions
- Read how the two stories are set up (Zechariah & Elizabeth; Mary & Joseph). What specific contrasts and parallels do you notice in verses 5–27 that Luke uses to shape the reader’s expectations? ([12:06])
- Gabriel says “Do not be afraid” to both Zechariah and Mary. How do their initial reactions differ in the immediate verses that follow, and what does that suggest about how people receive God’s message? ([02:14])
- What concrete promises are attached to John’s birth and to Jesus’ birth (think roles, signs, and future outcomes in verses 16–17 and 31–33)? How do these promises connect back to Israel’s earlier hopes? ([15:19])
- What is the narrative consequence of Zechariah’s doubt in verses 18–22, and how does that contrast with Elizabeth’s and Mary’s responses in verses 24–25 and 38? ([16:43])
Interpretation questions
- Why does Luke place these two birth announcements side by side? What theological point is served by pairing an old, righteous, barren couple with a young, favored virgin? ([10:26])
- How does the theme “hope flourishes amid holy complications” show up in the text—especially in the ways God’s intervention changes reputation, speech, and social standing for these characters? What might Luke be saying about the nature of God’s timing and methods? ([19:10])
- Luke gives many small details (priestly divisions, Nazareth, Davidic descent, Nazarite-like vow). In what way do these particulars make the large claim (“kingdom will never end”) more believable or more tangible? ([20:25])
- What does it mean theologically that John comes “in the spirit and power of Elijah”? How does that phrase shape expectations for both John’s ministry and the coming “day of the Lord”? ([15:19])
Application questions
- God’s intervention often complicates life rather than immediately removing hardship. Where in your life right now is God’s complicating intervention most visible (work, marriage, health, finances, family)? How might you choose to “watch in hope” in that particular situation this week? ([19:44])
- God’s favor arrives as a gift that calls for a response. What gift of grace or invitation do you sense God offering you now that requires a posture of “Here am I, Lord”? What would saying yes look like practically in the next 7–14 days? ([17:47])
- The big story of redemption shows up in small, concrete details. Name one specific daily pressure or decision point (a meeting, a bill, a conversation with your child, a medical appointment) where you can intentionally look for God’s kingdom this Advent. What concrete next step will you take to notice or invite him there? ([22:13])
- Some seasons feel like 400 years of waiting. What long season of waiting are you in or have you been through? What practical things could you do to “prepare the way” (serve, speak truth, reconcile relationships, pray) so that others might encounter hope through you? ([15:19])
- Communion anchors hope by reminding us Jesus is the Bread of Life. How could regular, intentional participation at the Lord’s table reshape your expectations and courage to live with gritty hope? What specific rhythm could you set to keep returning to that table this Advent? ([25:06])
