Mary’s simple statement of surrender opens wide to us the wonders of the incarnation. Mary is a reassured and revered figure in the story of salvation, but also serves as an example of humble responsiveness and receptivity to God in our lives.
(Luke 1:38)
SERMON OUTLINE
“’I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’” (Luke 1:38)
The Miracle of God’s Plan for the World (Luke 1:26-33)
- The gift of a greeting from God’s messenger
- The gift of the child from God
- The gift of the coming king from God
The Miracle of God’s Plan for Mary (Luke 1:34-37)
- The miraculous conception
- The echo of Elizabeth, her cousin, and her child
- The miraculous word of God
The Miracle of Mary’s Response (Luke 1:29, 34, 38)
- Her response
- Her identity
- Her trust
- Her waiting
- From perplexity to wondering to surrendering
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- When have you experienced a special gift in your life from a person or from God? What happened?
- This weekend we begin the journey of Advent and our new preaching series, “Canticles of Christmas.” This week we will look at Mary’s prayer of response to God in Luke 1:26-38. Begin your study in prayer by asking God to speak to you through His Word, and then, whether you’re on your own or with a group, read that text aloud.
- Background: Mary is a young woman in a relatively small town in the northern region of Galilee. She is in the first stage of two-stage marriage process, involving the public promise of marriage (like engagement) before the final marriage ceremony when the husband would take his wife home, sometimes up to a year later.
- The angel Gabriel appears to Mary with a great message about a miraculous child to come. What do you make of Gabriel’s greeting to Mary in verse 28?
- How does Gabriel describe this promised child in Luke 1:30-33, 35-37?
- How might you respond if you were in Mary’s situation?
- For further background on the promise about David’s throne, you may want to look at: 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:11-14; Psalm 89; 132:11-12; Isaiah 9:6-7; and 11:1-15.
- How would you describe Mary’s response to this dramatic announcement in 1:34 and 38?
- What is one thing God is revealing to you through this study? If you’re on your own, write that down, pray over it, and share it with someone this week. If you are with a small group, share your answers with one another before closing in prayer.
DIG DEEPER
- Memorize Luke 1:31-33 or 1:38
- Join in with the devotional that accompanies Advent and this series here: eastbrook.org/devotionals.
- Draw, ink, or paint Luke 1:26-38 as a basis for prayer. Take time to talk with God as you depict the scene in your own way. What is God speaking to you through this account of Mary’s encounter with Gabriel?
- Listen to musical renderings of this song: “Fiat Mihi” by James MacMillan.
- Consider reading:
- Scot McKnight, The Real Mary
- Matthew J. Milliner, Mother of the Lamb: The Story of a Global Icon