Pray: God of Hope, please show yourself to us so we can believe like Mary. Reveal yourself during this Advent season. Amen.
Ice Breaker: What would you learn about someone if they gave the best phone or ipad that was available? What if they gave you a piece of string?
Ice Breaker: What would you learn about someone if they gave the best phone or ipad that was available? What if they gave you a piece of string?
Scripture – Luke 1:26-38 26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you! 29But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”
Questions: What has God found with Mary? What does it mean to have favor with someone?
Who do you have favor with?
31And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32He 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, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.
34And Mary said to the angel, ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
Questions: what does the angel promise Mary, and what is her reponse?
35And 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. 36And 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. 37For nothing will be impossible with God. 38And 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.
Questions: How will God make all this possible? (what does the angel promise will come). What does Mary claim to be? What does it mean to be a servant of the Lord? What is something you can do to be a servant of the Lord?
Questions: What has God found with Mary? What does it mean to have favor with someone?
Who do you have favor with?
31And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32He 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, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.
34And Mary said to the angel, ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
Questions: what does the angel promise Mary, and what is her reponse?
35And 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. 36And 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. 37For nothing will be impossible with God. 38And 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.
Questions: How will God make all this possible? (what does the angel promise will come). What does Mary claim to be? What does it mean to be a servant of the Lord? What is something you can do to be a servant of the Lord?
Pray: God of Hope, thank you for all your promises you keep. Help us to keep our promises as we await the celebration of your Son Jesus.