2. Prologue: Christ's divinity and preincarnate existence (John 1:1-18)
Jesus’ Preexistence, Divinity, Humanity and the Importance of His Identity
Christ was born on earth of the will of God. When we accept him as Savior, we too are born (for a second time) of the will of God. Describe some of the events surrounding your second birth.
Jesus brought grace and truth to us. How does this benefit your life?
How does the Light of God shine in your life each day?
In what ways would your life be different if Jesus had not yet come to earth?
How can you be a witness to others of the Light of Christ?
Jesus’ Preexistence
What similarities and differences do you observe in Genesis 1:1-3 and John 1:1-3?
What is Jesus’ relationship to the creation? (Colossians 1:15-19)
What did Jesus Himself claim about His existence? (John 8:58)
When did Jesus share the Father’s glory? (John 17:5) Why is that significant?
What is the significance of the phrase Jesus used to describe Himself in Revelation 1:8, 17 and 22:12-13?
Jesus’ Divinity
Even more important that preexistence, the Bible also identifies Jesus as part of the one and only God. He is the second person of the Trinity. What do you understand the Trinity to mean?
What mistaken ideas do some people have about the Trinity?
What object lesson or illustration have you heard that helps you understand the concept of “Trinity?”
How is Jesus related to the Father? (John 10:30)
What divine qualities does Jesus have? (Hebrews 1:2-3)
What is Jesus’ relationship to the angels? (Hebrews 1:4-6)
What other qualities does Jesus have that belong only to God? (Hebrews 1:8-12)
Many people did not believe that Jesus was God’s Son. What did they miss by not receiving him?
Jesus’ Humanity
In order to come to earth, what was Jesus required to do? (Philippians 2:7-8)
How do we know that Jesus experienced fatigue? (John 4:6)
How do we know that Jesus experienced thirst? (John 4:7)
How do we know that Jesus experienced anger? (John 2:14-17)
How do we know that Jesus had limited knowledge while on earth? (Matthew 24:36)
How do we know that Jesus experienced temptation? (Luke 4:2)
How do we know that Jesus experienced sadness? (John 11:35)
How do we know that Jesus possessed a fully human body? (John 1:14)
In what way was Jesus’ birth and life unique?
What does this passage reveal about Jesus’ mission?
What does Jesus’ life as a man tell us about God as Father?
What surprises you about Jesus coming to earth as a human being?
What is comforting or encouraging about God taking on a human form?
In what way does this truth inspire you?
What does Jesus’ willingness to become a human being reveal about his heart?
The Importance of Jesus’ Identity
How does it help us to know that Jesus is fully God? (Hebrews 4:13-14)
How does it help us to know that Jesus was fully human? (Hebrews 4:15-16)
What bearing does our belief about Jesus have on our salvation? (John 8:24)
For more Bible passages about God becoming a man, see John 14:6-7; 1 Corinthians 8:5-6; Galatians 4:4; Philippians 2:7-8; Colossians 1:15-20; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 1:1-2; 4:2.
3. The birth of John the Baptist foretold (Luke 1:5-25)
John is six months older than Jesus and their mothers are relatives (Luke 1:36). Though not immaculate, John’s birth is miraculous. It’s announced by an angel and comes late in his parents’ lives, his mother having been barren for years. What are his parents’ names and lineage? (v.5)
So as not to confuse Elizabeth’s barrenness with a chastisement from God, what are we told about Zechariah and Elizabeth? (v.6)
Where is Zechariah when Elizabeth is told she will conceive? To what does the angel attribute the miracle? (vv. 8-13)
What is going to be unique about John? (v.15)
What is John’s mission? (vv. 16-17)
According to Luke 1:18, how does Zechariah respond to this announcement? How do we know this is not a simple inquiry (v.20), similar to that of Mary’s (v.34)?
In the spirit of Rachel (Gen. 30:23), how does Elizabeth respond to the pregnancy? (v.25)
What lessons can we learn from this episode in Zechariah and Elizabeth’s life?
“John” means “the Lord is gracious”. “Jesus” means “the Lord saves.” Both of these names were prescribed by God, not chosen by men. Why do you think God chose these particular names?
For more on the Nazirite vow see Number 6:1-8; Judges 13; 1 Samuel 1:11.
Examine and compare the following passages: a) Gabriel and Daniel – Daniel 8:15-17; 9:21; b) Gabriel and Zechariah – Luke 1:11-25; c) Gabriel and Mary – Luke 1:26-38
What conclusions can you draw about the angel Gabriel?
How does he greet Mary? (v.28)
What’s her response? (v.29)
Mary was young, poor, female – all characteristics that, to the people of her day, would make her seem unusable by God for any major task. Why do you think God chose her? (v. 30)
God’s blessing was on Mary. Yet, the honor of being the mother of the Messiah would bring much pain: her peers would ridicule her; her fiancé would come close to leaving her; her son would be rejected and murdered. How do you reconcile the two concepts of God’s blessing and earthly pain? (v.30)
What is Gabriel’s specific announcement to her? (v.31)
The Jewish people took names seriously and saw them as a source of power. “Jesus” is a Greek form of the Hebrew name “Joshua”. This was a common name meaning “the Lord saves.” What role do you think the symbolism of being associated with the great hero Joshua, who led Israel into the Promised Land, had for the people of that time? (v. 31)
Centuries earlier, God had promised David that David’s kingdom would last forever (2 Samuel 7:16). How did Jesus fulfill this promise? (v.32)
Elizabeth can either mean “God is my oath” or “dedicated to God”. Based on what you know of Elizabeth, can you make arguments for either meaning?
When did Elizabeth live? (Luke 1:5) What particular challenges did living as a righteous Jew pose at that time?
Examine Joshua 20:1-7 and determine what this area was known for.
What is the Bible implying about the baby “leaping for joy” in Elizabeth’s womb? What applications may be drawn from that implication?
Compare Elizabeth’s experience here with Luke 1:15. What does this mean about John the Baptist? Was he not born in sin like the rest of us? Why or why not?
Compare Elizabeth’s experience to Luke 1:67. What affect do you think all this had on their immediate family? On their extended family or their neighbors?
Under the influence of the Holy Spirit Elizabeth referred to the as yet unborn Jesus as “my Lord”. What challenges would be posed by changing the diapers of One you consider to be the Messiah – God in flesh?
Elizabeth seemed to offer a degree of respect to Mary for being “the mother of my Lord”. Biblically speaking, how much respect should be offered to Mary?
Elizabeth echoes here a common theme of the Scriptures: “Blessed is belief.” What commentary does Jesus give us?
6. The Magnificat: Mary's song of praise (Luke 1:46-56)
How does Mary declare her gratitude at being used by God? (vv. 46-47)
What is the basis for her magnifying and rejoicing? (vv. 48-49)
What three attributes of God does Mary magnify? (vv. 49-50)
The second half of the Magnificat (vv. 51-55) is built around a frequent Old Testament image, “He has shown strength with His arm” (see Exodus 6:1-6 and Isaiah 51:5). List six specifics in which Mary sees God intervening. Can you find their equivalents in your own life?
Mary praises the Lord from both her soul and her spirit. What is the distinction?
Mary was obviously a righteous person, considered acceptable by God. Like her cousin, she was careful to fulfill the commands of God as when she made the appropriate sacrifices when Jesus was named. Why would such a person feel it necessary to worship from both soul and spirit?
What is entailed in that kind of worship?
She immediately refers to herself as a lowly servant girl. What role does humility play in worship?
Did the fact that she recognized that the coming events would give her recognition “from now on” and from “all generations” contradict her humble statement?
Go through the Magnificat and keep track of how many of God’s names and attributes that she listed in her prayerful song. Should we exercise a similar practice of naming God or listing His attributes? Why?
She describes God as “the Mighty One”, as doing “great things”, whose “mighty arm has done tremendous things,” scattering the proud and bringing down princes. What does recognizing these qualities do for our faith?
She states that God has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. Does being poor and hungry make you inherently acceptable to God? Does being rich automatically make God reject you?
Elizabeth’s neighbors rejoiced with her over the birth of her son. Is this just something natural and unremarkable – people being happy about nice things? Or is it something remarkable and a discipline we should take on – rejoicing with those who rejoice and sorrowing with those who grieve?
Notice that they also all came to the circumcision ceremony. What traditions or ceremonies do people use to include God in their lives? Is this right or wrong?
What was the controversy surrounding John’s name?
What does Zechariah and Elizabeth’s insistence on naming their baby John tell us about their character? (Luke 1:13)
What were the results of Zechariah’s obedience? (Luke 1:63-67)
God’s work in this couple’s life causes awe to fall upon the whole neighborhood. How can we ensure that our lives do the same?
What can we learn from this passage that applies to our lives today?
The hand of the Lord was upon John in a special way. What must we do to make this possible in our lives?
In the days before the Comforter came to dwell with God’s children permanently during the Feast of the Pentecost, He would overcome people temporarily in order to do some great work or deliver an important message and then leave them. What do you think that must have been like?
Notice that, like Mary’s Magnificat, this prophecy is filled with praise to God and lists of His mighty works and attributes. What do you make of the fact that praise, worship, and prophecy are all consistently characterized by this? What does it mean for you?
Isn’t it interesting that Zechariah’s prophecy deals more with the coming Messiah than it does with his own son? Do you think this influenced John’s later ability to say “He must increase and I must decrease?”
Notice the reason that we are rescued by God: “so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.” How can you make this true in your day to day life?
List the reasons why Zechariah says, “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel” (vv. 68-75).
Zechariah sees Jesus’ coming as a fulfillment of a promise going back to whom? (v.73 cp. Genesis 22:16-17)
What is John the Baptist’s prophesied role in God’s messianic plan? (vv. 76-77)
Is the part in verse 77 something strictly for John or can we also play a part in this?
Was there a time when you were “sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death” and then the morning light of Jesus and His Good News broke upon you and began to guide you to the path of peace? Why not share that experience with someone today?
Many people regard the “Christmas story” as a marvelous, heartwarming event – but one that has little relevance for understanding the life and mission of Jesus while he was on earth. To them, it is mere background or historical detail. What a shame! Because they haven’t grasped the tremendous work that God accomplished at Jesus’ birth and in his childhood, they often find it difficult to apply this portion of the Gospels to their lives.
However, the events surrounding the life of Christ tell us what happens, not only what happened. The challenge for you is to ask what these events reveal about the character of God. By telling you about what God did, they will show you what God does now. Though His specific actions may vary throughout history, His character will always be consistent – faithful, powerful, sovereign, caring.
In this study, we will see God’s faithfulness in the events that surround the birth and childhood of Jesus.
What additional light did Paul shed on Jesus’ birth (Romans 5:6; Galatians 4:4)
To whom is Jesus’ birth first announced and who announced it? (Luke 2:8-9)
Why is this significant?
What do the angels say to help the shepherds recognize the Savior? (Luke 2:11-12)
Why is this significant?
What do you think the shepherd’s initial response to the angels, and the angels’ reassurance implies about angels? (Luke 2:9-10)
How might your response to the angel’s announcement of Jesus’ birth have been similar to the shepherd’s reaction? (Luke 2:8-20)
Notice that the shepherds said “Let’s see this thing that…the Lord has told us about.” Though they had just seen a vast host of angels and been directly addressed by an angel, they still ascribed the event to the workings of God. How does this help us exercise discernment in this day when many people glorify angels, write books about angels, and pray to angels?
What are the shepherds’ responses upon seeing Him? (Luke 2:17, 20)
What then should be our response to encountering Christ in worship?
What was the significance of Mary’s reaction to the events surrounding Jesus’ birth? (Luke 2:17-19)
