TEXT: Luke 1:39-56
DOWNLOAD PDF VERSION
Mary’s life has just been turned upside down. She is a young unmarried virgin who has been chosen by God to miraculously conceive and give birth to the Savior of the world. Her reputation and livelihood were at stake. Yet in all of this, her response to God is one of rejoicing, trust, and gratitude. In fact, she is so filled with joy that she responds with a Psalm of Thanksgiving, modeling for us how to respond rightly to the great things God has done for us.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
HEAD: Questions aimed at our minds to help us understand God’s word.
After she is told that she will give birth to the Son of God (1:36), Mary visits Elizabeth. According to Elizabeth, why is Mary considered blessed?
Mary’s song of praise in verses 46-55 is the first of three hymns in Luke 1-2 and follows the typical form of a Psalm of Thanksgiving; First, thank God. Second, tell of the specific reasons for thankfulness. What are the reasons for Mary’s thankfulness to God?
HEART: Questions aimed at our affections to help us love God.
Try to put yourself in Mary’s position (see previous passage for context). How do you think you would’ve responded? What does Mary’s response tell us about here posture toward God?
At this moment, does your heart align with Mary’s heart in declaring, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…”? Why/ why not?
HANDS: Questions aimed at our hands to help us live for God (Personally, Communally, and Missionally).
Lydia Brownback comments on this passage, “From the pregnancy of Elizabeth to the words of Mary’s praise song, we see that with the coming of the long-awaited Messiah, God scatters the proud, brings down the mighty, fills the hungry, and sends the rich away empty.” How do these truths motivate you to live humbly before others in day-to-day life? Give specific examples.
Mary’s song is also a prayer. Spend some time evaluating your own prayer life in light of her prayer. How should this passage influence the way we pray?