“My Soul Glorifies the Lord” (Magnificat)

Mary praises God for His plans and her part within it. This beautiful prayer expounds the way in which God is doing a new thing in Jesus, but also speaks prophetically about the upside-down kingdom coming with this new humble king.

(Luke 1:46-55)

SERMON OUTLINE

“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.’” (Luke 1:46-48)

Mary Visits Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-45)

• She goes with haste 80-100 miles south
• Both ladies are full of the Holy Spirit
• The older blesses the younger three times
• Elizabeth names the truth of the Messiah in Mary’s womb

Mary’s Song – The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-49)

• Mary is young and under the rule of the Roman Empire
• Parallelism in how Mary takes great joy in her God
• Mary contrasts herself with God

Mary Sings of the Upside-Down Kingdom (Luke 1:50-55)

• Gives a picture of the New Kingdom created by Jesus
• Shocking new order
• Continues a pattern from the Old Testament (1 Samuel 2:1-8)
• The prophets predicted this sort of kingdom (Joel 2:28-29)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Have you experienced an old song taking on new meaning or a new song arising out of a time spent in God’s presence?
2. This week we will study Mary and Elizabeth and Mary’s song. Begin your study in prayer asking God to speak to you through His Word, and then, whether on your own or with a group, read Luke 1:39-55.
3. What do you notice about Mary and Elizabeth’s meeting? How many characters are present in this meeting? What person or people are you drawn to in that meeting?
4. What does this meeting tell us about Jesus and His identity? What does it tell us about John? Lastly, what do we learn about Elizabeth?
5. How does Mary open her song in verses 46 through 49? What can you learn about Mary from how she begins her song?
6. What is the character of God according to Mary? What can you learn from Mary and how she views herself and views God?
7. From verses 50 through 55, name some characteristic of the kingdom that Jesus is ushering in.
8. What characteristics surprise you or unsettle you?
9. What change might you need to make to align yourself with this new kind of kingdom that Jesus ushers in?
10. Is there any part of this passage that particularly speaks to your heart or mind? If so, how?
11. 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

• Spend time taking great joy in Jesus. Exalt Him; magnify Him; adore Him. Let His character overwhelm you.
• Practice silence. Come into God’s presence, not needing to speak, but just to be with Him. What do you see? What do you hear when you stop talking?
• Practice noticing. Notice what God does. Notice His actions, His fingerprints on creation, His presence in others, and His goodness in your everyday interactions with others.