Connect How can waiting for Jesus’ return be a way to train you more-and-more in hope? 

Warm-Up

1. Other than the Gospel what is the biggest claim you have heard? Should we be sceptical of such claims?
2. When was the last time you had a sense of joy that couldn’t be contained and you had to express it with words, song, dance, jumping, or some other physical expression?

Read Luke 1:39-45

3. What has happened up to this point in Luke? What are the backstories of Mary and Elizabeth?
4. How are the stories of Mary and Elizabeth (and therefore Jesus and John) interwoven? How are they both very surprising stories about expecting mothers?
5. What happens to Elizabeth when she just hears Mary’s greeting? What do you think this means?
6. What do you think Elizabeth means by her loud exclamation? Who does she (in the power of the Holy Spirit) identify Mary’s baby as?
7. Who is blessed and why? In what way are we ‘blessed’ to believe what the Lord has promised?
8. What is the significance of Elizabeth’s recognition of Jesus as Lord? How does this relate to us?

Read Luke 1:46-49

9. Who does Mary recognise the Lord to be? If God is her Saviour, what does this mean about Mary?
10. What does it mean that the Lord has been mindful of Mary? How has God been mindful of us?
11. What does it mean to you to know that God has been mindful of you? How can you know that?
12. What has the Mighty One done for Mary? What has the Mighty One done for us?
13. How does Mary respond with humility, delight, and wonder? Is that instructive for us, too?

Read Luke 1:50-56

14. What are the clues in these verses that God’s Kingdom is one of justice and mercy? Why is this such good news for the world? What aspect of God’s Kingdom (coming in full) do you look forward to the most?
15. What is the means by which God’s Kingdom is birthed and will come to fulfilment?
16. According to the song, who are the recipients of God’s Kingdom? In particular, what do you think it means to fear (or revere) God? How can we express a humble dependence on God?
17. How did Mary enter into the joy of the news that she had received? (Look at her various actions.)
18. How might we — in the power of the Spirit — enter into the joy of the Good News, too?

Apply How do you typically get ready for Christmas? How can you get ready in light of Jesus’ return?

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On Your Front Line this Week

Invite someone along to join you for Carols by Glowstick, this Tuesday & Wednesday night.

For Families

• Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read

• Listen (sermon): “Jesus the Revolutionary: Mary’s Song” by Tobias Brown:
  https://www.allsouls.org/Media/AllMedia.aspx?show_media=239728&show_file=254860 
• Listen (sermon): “The Long Promised Victor” by William Taylor:
  https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/57507/ 
• Listen (sermon): “Mary’s Song” by Tim Keller:
  https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/marys-song/ 
• Watch (devotional): “Mary’s Voice in Advent” by Amy Orr Ewing:
  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_gTA_rjswB-rmXRvkiIqo1yV_JpuqJlD 
• Read: “Mary’s Voice: Advent Reflections to Contemplate” by Amy Orr Ewing:
  https://www.amazon.com.au/Marys-Voice-Advent-Reflections-Contemplate-ebook/dp/B0BV26Y7HP  

Series Resources

• Read: “Advent (Fullness of Time Series)” by Tish Harrison Warren. 📚 
• Devotional: “Sing in Exultation”” by Jonanthan Landry Cruse. 📚
• Devotional: “The One True Gift” by Tim Chester. 📚
• Devotional: “Advent for Everyone: Luke” by Tom Wright. 📚
• Read: “What Christians Ought to Believe” by Michael Bird. 📚 
• Read: “Is Christmas Unbelievable” by Rebecca McLaughlin. 📚 
• Read: “The God who Became Human” by Graham Cole. https://bit.ly/3g68RBj  
• Read: “On the Incarnation” by Athanasius. https://bit.ly/3E5gLmB  
• Watch: “The Incarnation (Spoken Word)” by Humble Word. https://bit.ly/3OhgPUP  
• Listen: A Carols Playlist (curated by the St Bart’s staff team): https://spoti.fi/3OaJsTK 

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