JOURNEYS WITH MARY
4 COMPLETE LESSONS
JOURNEY OF FAITH
Luke 1:26-56
JOURNEYS WITH MARY - Lesson
#1 of 4
A COMPLETE LESSON
·
What is the most
significant journey or trip you have ever made, and why was it significant?
·
Why do journeys
need not be long in order to be significant?
·
The most
significant step of faith you ever took was to trust Jesus as your Savior. Name another step of faith that God has led
you to take.
·
How is doing
something by faith a “journey”?
As we approach the Christmas holiday we want to
examine the four journeys that Mary made found in Luke 1-2. They are:
1.
The Journey of
Faith – Luke 1:26-56
2.
The Journey of
Fruition – Luke 2:1-20
3.
The Journey of
Fulfillment – Luke 2:21-39
4.
The Journey
towards the Future – Luke 2:40-52
The first journey that Mary made was from
·
Vs. 26 -
·
Vs. 27 – How do you think Mary was like thousands of other
poor teenage girls that lived in
·
Vs. 28 – Why do you think Gabriel greeted Mary the way he
did?
·
Notice that Mary
was blessed “among” women, not “above” women.
How do some people wrongly view Mary?
How should we rightly view Mary?
·
Vs. 29 – What troubled Mary?
·
Vs. 30 – Mary wasn’t to fear, but to be assured that she had
found favor with God. How have we Christians found favor with God? Why is faith necessary to enjoy that favor?
·
Vss. 31-32 – How was Jesus great?
Notice His deity. When does He
get the throne?
·
Vs. 34 – Do you think Mary’s question was a question of
doubt or simply trying to understand?
Why?
·
Vss. 35-37 – How was Mary’s pregnancy different from
·
Vs. 37 – What impossible things have you seen God do?
·
What is the basis
for believing that God will do the impossible in our lives?
·
Vs. 38 – What was the biggest problem Mary would have had
with this pregnancy?
·
Besides Mary’s
faith in verse 38 we see her submission. Why do submission and faith go
together?
·
Can and should
Mary’s faith be duplicated?
·
Vss. 39-40 – How was the journey Mary took an indication of her
faith?
·
How will our
actions sometimes be an indication of our faith?
·
Vss. 39-41 – Mary was to receive confirmation of her faith
through the inspired words of
·
Vss. 42-43 – If you were Mary, how would you have reacted to
·
Verses 41 and
44 are fulfillments of the promise
given in verse 15.
·
Vs. 45 - Why do you think God gave this confirmation to
Mary?
·
What are some
ways in which God confirms our faith?
·
Vs. 46 – What specific reasons did Mary have for magnifying
the Lord? What reasons do we have?
·
Vs. 47 – This verse tells us that Mary was not sinless, as
some think. Why is it important to
rejoice in the God of salvation rather than in salvation itself?
·
Vs. 48 - We know why generations have called Mary
“blessed”. In what ways is a believer
“blessed”?
·
Vs. 49 – Notice that we praise God for the same two reasons
that are mentioned here.
·
Vs. 50 – Who are those who fear him from generation to
generation?
·
The statements
made in verses 51 through 55 were certainly true in the past. However, they are probably prophecies stated
in the past tense. They are as good as done.
·
How have each of
the prophecies in these verses been fulfilled or how will they be fulfilled by
Jesus?
·
What lessons
about faith have you learned from Mary?
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JOURNEY OF FRUITION
Luke 2:1-20
JOURNEYS WITH MARY - Lesson
#2 of 4
A COMPLETE LESSON
·
What are you
looking forward to come to pass?
·
Why is it
difficult to wait for God to work?
·
How is waiting on
God like waiting for a baby to be born?
·
Can you think of
examples in the Scriptures of God doing what He had promised?
We continue our “Journeys with Mary” in Luke 1-2. Last time we saw Mary’s “Journey of Faith” to
see
·
Micah 5:2 - But thou,
Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the
thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be
ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
·
Micah tells us
that
·
How should the
smallness of
·
What does Micah
teach us about Jesus? How should these
insights influence our daily walk?
·
Vs. 1 - Caesar
Augustus (Octavian) was the nephew of Julius Caesar, and even worshipped as a
god. Under him,
·
It is ironic that
one who allowed himself worship, was in reality a pawn in the hands of
God. How is that evident, comparing Luke
2:1-2 with Micah 5:2?
·
Vss. 3-5 – Through no planning of his own,
Joseph helps to fulfill prophecy. What
should we realize when circumstances force us into unexpected situations? Romans 8:28
·
When the 80 mile
journey began, Mary was very pregnant.
We do not know if she rode on a donkey or walked. Either way of travel would have been
grueling.
·
Humanly speaking,
what would Mary’s concerns have been?
·
Humanly speaking,
what would Joseph’s concerns have been?
·
What were Mary
and Joseph’s comforts on this journey?
·
Notice that this
baby was right on time, because He was born on God’s
timetable. How should we strive to be on
God’s timetable?
·
Inns in those
days were very crude. Not even a simple room in an inn was available, so Jesus
was born where they kept the animals. Sanitary
conditions were bad.
·
The birth of
Jesus was difficult for Mary and for Joseph. In spite of the pain, the cold,
and the unsanitary conditions, this birth was an astounding moment in
history. Why?
·
How could the
birth of Jesus be actually shocking for the angels to behold?
·
Warren Wiersbe
pointed out that
·
Vs. 8 – Shepherds of that day were social outcasts, and
considered to be dishonest. Being a
shepherd was a humble job.
·
Why do you think
that God chose to report the Good News of Jesus’ birth to shepherds?
·
Vs. 9 – What were some of the thoughts that probably ran
through the shepherd’s minds when the angel appeared?
·
Vs. 10 – In what ways have you seen God turn fear into
joy?
·
Why is it
comforting that the birth of Jesus is for all people?
·
Vs. 11 – The most important word in this verse is
“savior”. Why was the birth of a savior
such good news?
·
Two other words
are used to describe Jesus, “Christ” and “Lord”. How should these words impact your life?
·
Vs. 12 – I guarantee that there wasn’t another baby in any
manger in
·
Vs. 13 – A multitude was a number too large to even begin to
count. Why do you think God sent such a
large “choir”?
·
Vs. 14 – Why was God to be glorified?
·
How was the birth
of Jesus an expression of “peace and good will toward men”?
·
Vs. 15 – Why should the shepherds be commended?
·
Vs. 16 – Do you think the shepherds reported what they saw
to Mary and Joseph? Why?
·
Vs. 17 – What motivated the shepherds to witness? Why was it
not hard for them to witness?
·
What should
motivate us to witness?
·
Vs. 18 – Why did the shepherds’ report get the response that
it did?
·
How might our
witness for Christ cause others to marvel or wonder?
·
How was Mary’s
heart a treasure chest?
·
Why should we
treasure and reflect on the things that God has done for us?
·
How will God’s
Word help in this process?
·
What specific
things that the shepherds had heard and seen caused them to glorify and praise
God?
·
What specific
things that you have heard and seen lately cause you to glorify and praise God.
·
What does this
verse tell you about God’s Word?
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JOURNEY OF FULFILLMENT
Luke 2:21-39
JOURNEYS WITH MARY - Lesson
#3 of 4 (Lesson #4 is below.)
A COMPLETE LESSON
·
What have you
done for someone else that has made them feel “fulfilled”?
·
What has someone
done for you that has made you feel “fulfilled”?
·
What have you
done that has made you feel “fulfilled”?
·
What has God done
that has made you feel “fulfilled”?
We continue our “Journeys with Mary” in Luke 1-2. We have already seen Mary’s “Journey of
Faith” to see
·
How do the
priorities of Christians tend to be “messed up” or “out of whack”?
·
Why is it so easy
for us to get our priorities as Christians out of order?
·
According to these
verses, what do you think were the most important priorities to Mary and
Joseph?
·
Vs. 21 – In accordance with Old Testament Law Jesus was
circumcised on the eighth day. Leviticus 12:3 - And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
·
Mary and Joseph
named the baby “Jesus” as they had both been instructed. Matthew 1:21, Luke
1:31
·
Jesus is the
Greek form of the Hebrew name “Joshua”, which means “Jehovah is salvation”. Why
is this name so fitting?
·
Vs. 22-23 – There was a period of time when a woman who had a
child was not allowed to enter the temple because she was ceremonially impure.
Mary and Joseph went to
·
The first born
child was considered the Lord’s. Exodus
13:1-2 - And the Lord spake unto
Moses, saying, [2] Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man
and of beast: it is mine.
·
The first born
child was to be presented to the Lord and redeemed. Numbers 18:15-16 - Every thing that openeth
the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the Lord, whether it be of men
or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely
redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem. [16] And those
that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine
estimation, for the money of five shekels…
·
In what ways
should we present all our children to the Lord?
·
Vs. 24 - The sacrifice that was made for Mary was the
sacrifice that the poor were to make. Leviticus 12:1-8
·
How have you seen
God guide you to the right person at the right time?
·
There were at
least two people that needed to see the literal fulfillment of God’s promise of
Messiah. God guided them to the infant Jesus, and the infant Jesus to them.
·
Vs. 25 – Simeon had some terrific character traits. First of
all, he was just or righteous in his dealings with others. Why is it a joy to deal with righteous
people?
·
Simeon was also
devout, or devoted to God. How can we
tell when someone is truly devoted to God?
·
Simeon was
waiting for the consolation or comfort of
·
Simeon was also
filled, or controlled by the Holy Spirit. It is neat to think that God wants to
fill us with His Holy Spirit. Ephesians
5:18
·
Vs. 26 – I think that it is likely that Simeon was an old
man, but he wouldn’t necessarily have to have been. The important promise was that he would see
the Messiah before he died.
·
Vs. 27 – God brought Simeon and Anna to the right place at
the right time. As we walk with Him, he
will do the same for us. Ephesians
5:15-18
·
Vss. 36-38 – Anna was an old and Godly woman. What does she teach us about priorities?
·
Vss. 28-30 – After seeing Jesus, what were Simeon’s first
reactions? What do we learn from Simeon’s response to Christ?
·
What do verses
30-32 teach us about the Lord Jesus Christ?
·
Joseph and Mary
already knew who Jesus was. Why did
Simeon’s statements about Him surprise them so in verse 33?
·
Vs. 34 – How do people fall before they rise when they trust
Christ?
·
Who were some of
the people who spoke against Jesus?
·
According to verse
35, speaking against Jesus revealed a wicked heart.
·
How and when did
a sword pierce through Mary’s soul?
·
What lesson does
Anna teach us in verse 38?
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JOURNEY TO THE FUTURE
Luke 2:40-52
JOURNEYS WITH MARY - Lesson
#4 0f 4
A COMPLETE LESSON
·
What are some of
the significant stages that children pass through as they grow up?
·
In what ways can
children surprise us as they grow up?
·
How do different
events in a child’s life point to the future?
·
How do different
character traits in a child’s life point to the future?
·
What do you think
Jesus was like as a child?
We are concluding our “Journeys with Mary” in Luke
1-2. We have already seen Mary’s
“Journey of Faith” to see
·
We know very
little of Jesus’ childhood.
·
Vs. 40 tells us about His development. He grew up just the
way you would expect the Son of God to grow up.
·
Three qualities
mentioned here will be repeated in verse 52. We can say that Jesus’
childhood appears to be what we expect from any child. The only difference is, Jesus grew up better than any other child! How do you think it was obvious that the
grace of God was on Jesus?
·
Vs. 41 – At this point in
·
Vs. 42 – At age twelve, Jesus was probably just a year away
from becoming a full member of the synagogue.
It was recommended that fathers bring their sons along to
·
What can
Christian men and women do with their children that would follow Joseph and
Mary’s good examples?
·
Vs. 43 – How do you think it happened that Joseph and Mary
were able to leave Jesus behind in
·
What gave Jesus
the right to tarry in the
2 Corinthians 5:21 - For he hath
made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be
made the righteousness of God in him.
·
Vss. 44-45 – What do you think was going through the minds of
Joseph and Mary when Jesus could not be found?
·
Vss. 46-47 – Evidently they took a day’s travel away from
·
Probably some of
the great teachers of the law for that day were gathered on one of the temple’s
porches. The method of learning in those
days was for learners to ask and answer questions.
·
Jesus was not
teaching. He would not do that publicly until
he was 30. His answers and his questions
amazed those that heard Him. What
purpose, other than Jesus’ own personal spiritual development, would this
session with the doctors of the law accomplish?
·
Vs. 48 – How do you sympathize with Mary? What challenges would have been associated
with being the mother of the Son of God?
·
Vs. 49 - Once Joseph and Mary returned to
·
It is obvious
that Jesus knew who He was, the Son of God, and that He had an intimate
relationship with His Father.
·
As Christians, we
are the children of God.
John 1:12 - But as many
as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on his name:
Romans 8:16 - The Spirit
itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
1 John 3:1-3 - Behold, what
manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the
sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not,
because it knew him not. [2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God,
and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall
appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. [3] And every man
that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as
he is pure.
·
How should we as
the children of God have an intimate relationship with the Father?
·
How do we develop
such a relationship?
·
How have you seen
people justify a lack of submission to the authority God has set up in their
lives?
·
How could Jesus
have justified not being in subjection to His parents?
·
What does Jesus’
submission teach us?
Ephesians
5:21 - Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
1.
HE GREW
INTELLECTUALLY – WISDOM
2.
HE GREW
PHYSICALLY – STATURE
3.
HE GREW
SPIRITUALLY – FAVOR WITH GOD
4.
HE GREW SOCIALLY
– FAVOR WITH MAN
·
Why is growth in
each of these areas important?
·
How can we help
our children and grandchildren grow in each of these areas?
·
With the
exception of growing physically, why should you and I continue to grow in each
of these areas?
1 John 2:6 - He that saith
he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.