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Text: Luke 1:39-45

Sermon Outline:

1. A simple but significant event, 1:39-41a
2. The Spirit's interpretation of the event, 1:41b-45
   • The blessedness of all who identify the Blessed One, 1:42-43
   • The basis of this identification: John's leap for joy, 1:44
   • Believing God's Word about Jesus: establishing joy in Jesus, 1:45

Prepare

Questions:

1. Read Luke 1:39-45 throughout the rest of this week. As an encouragement to family worship and personal preparation, use the questions that follow:
2. Seems like a normal enough event in 1:39-41a. Why is it anything but? Who is the baby in Elizabeth's womb? How is he tied to Jesus (see 1:16-17)? Why do you think Mary took this trip? What encouragement comes from the visit? How might this relate to Christian hospitality and fellowship?
3. Why is it important that Luke establishes the activity of the Holy Spirit in this particular revelation by Elizabeth?
4. Elizabeth prophesies about the blessedness of Mary and her son and herself? On each account, why are they blessed? Is the blessedness of Mary and Elizabeth different than that of the infant Jesus? How so? What is the mysterious sign that serves as the basis for identifying the blessedness of these characters (1:44)? Why is it most significant that John the Baptist, still in the womb, leaps for joy on account of Jesus' presence? What's John's purpose? How do we see John's joy in Jesus mature and manifest in life and ministry? Are we walking in John's paths of Christ-centered joy? See Lk 3:4-17, 7:18-23; Mk 6:18-20; Jn 1:19-34, 3:25-30.
5. Elizabeth lands on a beatitude (the first in the Gospel). What is it? And how is it connected to establishing joy (happiness, blessedness) in Jesus? Consider also Lk 11:27-28.