Zechariah and Elizabeth
Luke 1:5-17, 24-25, 30-33, 39-45
Discussion Questions:
1. What unexpected message comes to Zechariah and Elizabeth? How does each respond?
2. What blessing does Elizabeth give Mary?
3. What impact do you think Elizabeth’s words had on Mary?
4. How do you think this moment impacts their relationship?
I find it a bit shocking to see Elizabeth genuinely rejoicing in Mary’s favored status.
In this moment, Elizabeth realizes that while she will be the mother of a son who will be “great in the sight of the Lord” (Luke 1:15), her teenage cousin will be the mother of the Lord Himself. If we view it as a competition, Mary obviously wins. But Elizabeth chooses not to be competitive.
How can Elizabeth react to Mary’s chosen-ness with rejoicing rather than jealousy? Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that Elizabeth is feeling so loved and honored by the announcement of her own miracle, that she is made able to rejoice in Mary’s.
What prevents us from genuinely rejoicing in the achievements and good fortune of others? How can we overcome these difficulties
Who do you have in your life that consistently encourages you? How do they do it?
How can you be an encouragement to someone in your life?