Luke 1:57-80
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This is the second week in our series Songs of Advent. This sermon is called "Zechariah's Song"
Questions and going deeper resources
Small group questions
Connect How do you think the Good News of Jesus—our Lord and Saviour—more be the song of your heart?
Warm-Up
- Have you ever had to make preparations for someone to arrive (e.g., family member, friend, colleague/boss, new baby)? What did that involve?
- What do you find the most challenging aspect of making preparation for someone to arrive?
Read Luke 1:57-66
- What is the backstory to John (the Baptist) already covered in the Gospel of Luke? What sort of expectations were already established for John’s role in God’s salvation plan for the world?
- What are the different types of cultural traditions that you know of when it comes to the naming of a child? In Jewish tradition, who normally had ‘naming rights’? What were the typical types of names?
- How is this story of John’s birth both very intimate and also extraordinarily public?
- Why were people surprised at the baby being called, “John”? Why did they appeal to Zechariah?
- How firm was Elizabeth? Why was this the case? What is significant about Zechariah’s response?
- What were the responses to the naming of John? Why were people intrigued and full of wonder?
- How does the naming of John point to God’s ultimate purposes being at work?
- Have you ever had to lay aside your purposes in submission to God’s? Can you share an example?
Read Luke 1:67-75
- How long has Zechariah had to think about this? Who was the ultimate cause for his words?
- What are the three key reasons that Zechariah sings praise to God? How do each connect with Jesus?
- What type of salvation or redemption does Jesus bring? Why is this good news for all people?
- Who has God raised up? What does a ‘horn of salvation’ actually mean?
- In what way does God’s redemption involve both a ‘saving from’ and a ‘saving for’? How have you experienced this to be true in your life? How have you witnessed this in others?
Read Luke 1:76-80
- How much time does Zechariah spend singing about his son? Even then, what is the focus?
- How was John to make a people ready to receive the Lord? How did he do it?
- How are we made ready to receive Jesus? How does becoming a Christian involve repenting and believing?
- Are you a waymaker for Jesus? HOW are you preparing for Jesus’ return and WHO are you preparing?
Apply In what way are you a waymaker for Jesus—through both your life and witness? Consider HOW you are preparing for Jesus’ return and WHO you are preparing for Jesus’ return?
Prayer
Gracious Lord, we praise you that you are faithful to your promises and true to your Word. Thank you that you have indeed raised up a horn of salvation for us, please will you help us to listen to him. Amen.
Going deeper resources
On Your Front Line this Week
Giving thanks for a meal is a wonderful opportunity to briefly share the gospel, particularly as we share many meals over the Christmas season with friends and family.
For Families
- Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org
Listen, Watch, and Read
- Listen (sermon): “Jesus the Revolutionary: Mary’s Song” by Tobias Brown:
https://www.allsouls.org/Media/AllMedia.aspx?show_media=239728&show_file=254860 - Listen (sermon): “Christmas is Threatening” by Mark Meynell:
https://www.allsouls.org/Media/AllMedia.aspx?show_media=51063&show_file=59613 - Listen (sermon): “The Long Promised Victor” by William Taylor:
https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/57507/ - Listen (sermon): “Mary’s Song” by Tim Keller:
https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/marys-song/ - Listen (song): “Song of Mary (Magnificat)” by Liturgical Folk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_bdjQRPTbI - Watch (devotional): “Mary’s Voice in Advent” by Amy Orr Ewing:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_gTA_rjswB-rmXRvkiIqo1yV_JpuqJlD - Read: “Mary’s Voice: Advent Reflections to Contemplate” by Amy Orr Ewing:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Marys-Voice-Advent-Reflections-Contemplate-ebook/dp/B0BV26Y7HP
Series Resources
- Devotional: “Sing in Exultation!” by Jonathan Landry Cruse. 📚
- Read: “Advent (Fullness of Time Series)” by Tish Harrison Warren. 📚
- Read: “Rejoice: Advent in all the Scriptures” by Chris Wright & John Stott.
- Read: “Advent for Everyone” by Tom Wright. 📚
- Watch: “The Word Becomes Human” by the Bible Project. https://bit.ly/3UEL8HB
📚 Available to borrow in the Church library
