CONNECT: How can you grow your commitment to God’s people and the Gospel?

WARM-UP  Question

1. In the time that leads up to Christmas (i.e., advent) what helps you to prepare to celebrate it more meaningfully? What does this look like in practice?
2. As we rejoice in Jesus’ first arrival as a baby, how do we also anticipate Jesus’ second arrival?

READ Luke 1:1-4

1. Who is Luke writing to? With what purpose does he write?
2. What were the methods that Luke utilised in order to construct his ‘orderly account’? Who were the eyewitnesses and ‘servants of the word’ that Luke speaks of?
3. Why is it important for us to have confidence about the evidence concerning the claims of Jesus?
   What might help you this advent to grow in confidence regarding the claims of Jesus?
4. Do you think most Australians have seriously considered the claims about Jesus? What resources have you found useful in helping people to grow in confidence regarding the claims about Jesus?

READ Luke 1:5-13

1. What most stands out to you about Zechariah and Elizabeth? (Also check out Elizabeth’s faithfulness!)
2. What would have Zechariah’s role been when he went to light the incense? How rare was this?
3. For how long had the Jewish people been waiting to hear from God? What had they been waiting for?
4. Has there been a time in which you have been waiting patiently (or otherwise!) to learn God’s will?
   What was that like? What helps you to be faithful amidst the waiting?
5. What is meant by your ’prayer has been answered’?

READ Luke 1:14-25

1. In what ways was John set apart? For what purpose was John set apart?
2. How do we have a role, like John, in pointing to the coming arrival of our King?
3. What was Zechariah’s response to the angel? In the face of the evidence concerning Jesus, what should be our response to God?

APPLY: What one thing can you do this advent to help grow your confidence in Jesus?

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On Your Frontline This Week: Who could you invite to CAROLS by Glow Stick? You might be surprised who would love to join you!

Listen:

• William Taylor on Luke 1:1-25
  Part A: Fundamentals Sound // Part B: Secure Foundations
• “Reliable Information” by Alistair Begg
• Gary Millar on “Luke 1-2”

Read

• “J. I. Packer, 89, on Losing Sight But Seeing Christ”
• “Mary v. Zechariah on Fear of the Lord” by Justin Taylor
  

Other Helpful Resources (For Series):

• “Hidden Christmas” by Tim Keller
• The Bible Project on Luke

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