Luke 2:8-20  (HCSB)The Shepherds and the Angels 8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the pe...  Read More

Luke 2:1-7  (HCSB)The Birth of Jesus 2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because ...  Read More

LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF MARY (MOTHER OF JESUS)Regularly praise and worship God for His goodness and blessings to you.KEY TRUTH: Mary Was Humble (Luke 1:26–38)KEY TRUTH: Mary Was Blessed and Worshipful (Luke 1:39–56)KEY TRUTH: Mary Was Vindicated (Matthew 1:18–25)KEY TRUTH: Mary Was Sorrowful and Contemplative (Luke 2:22–35: Luke 2:1–21, 41–52)FAMILY CONNECTION: CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURC...  Read More

1. Gabriel reported that God "found favor" with Mary. Why do you think God found "favor" in Mary? How should we model our lives to be found in favor?2. Mary was reported to have "went with haste" (diligently) to see Elizabeth. Why do you think Mary acted this way when going to visit Elizabeth? Do you move with diligence when the Holy Spirit gives you an assignment?3. How would you describe Mary's ...  Read More

Matthew 1:18-25 (HCSB)The Nativity of the Messiah 18 The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19 So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly. 20 But after he had considered these thi...  Read More

Luke 1:46-56  (HCSB)Mary’s Praise 46 And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, 47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, 48 because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His slave. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and His name is holy. 50 His mercy is from generation to generation...  Read More

Luke 1:39-45 (HCSB)Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth 39 In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah 40 where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she exclaimed with a loud cry: “You are the most blessed of women, and your child will b...  Read More

Luke 1:34-38  (HCSB)34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not been intimate with a man?” 35 The angel replied to her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth mo...  Read More

Luke 1:26-33 (HCSB)Gabriel Predicts Jesus’ Birth26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of ...  Read More

PREPARRING FOR THE MESSIAHGod can overcome any obstacle to accomplish His purposes.KEY TRUTH: God Promised to Send John to Prepare His People for the Messiah (Luke 1:5–25)KEY TRUTH: We Can Place Our Faith in God and His Promises (Luke 1:57–80)...  Read More

1.  What goals or dreams did you have in your life that didn’t happen? Were you chasing the wrong dream? How did God set you on a better path for His glory?2.  Has God called you to action only to be met with “I’m too old, I don’t know how, why me?” as your response? What would happen if you said yes to God’s calling and trusted Him to prepare you to meet the calling?3.  How has an encounter with ...  Read More

Luke 1:67-80  (HCSB)Zechariah’s Prophecy 67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 68 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and provided redemption for His people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, 70 just as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets in ancient times; 71 salvation from our enem...  Read More