JESUS' BIRTH FORETOLD

BY END THE END THE LESSON, WE WILL:

REVIEW the foretelling of Jesus' birth; REFLECT on the unexpected and perplexing events of our lives; and DEDICATE ourselves to the purpose of God.

 

FOCAL VERSES  LUKE 1:26-40

KEEP IN MIND

"And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS" (Luke 1:31).

 

AT-A-GLANCE

1. Christ's Birth Announced (Luke 1:26-38)

2. Mary Visited Elisabeth (vv. 39-40)

 

IN FOCUS

Month had passed since Dad announced to the boys they were going to have a new addition to the family. The boys were so excited because Damon, the oldest of the boys, wanted a sister. One day he told his parents he had been asking God to give him a sister.

After that prayer, his parents found out they were expecting. His mom and dad had just come back from seeing the doctor. Dad told the boys he wanted to tell them something. He said, "Looks like God has answered your prayers. Mom is expecting!"

Damon and his brother, Brandon, were so happy. Damon declared, "I know it is a girl because that's what I asked God for."

Sure enough, on February 12 in the wee hours of the morning, Damon's prayers were answered and his sister was born. With great excitement, Damon ran to his mom's hospital room. As soon as he saw his mom, he asked, "What is she?"

Everyone laughed and agreed-the little baby girl was an answer to prayer.

With God, nothing shall be impossible. In today's lesson, we are reminded of the events prior to the birth of Jesus. We should forever be grateful!

 

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

The Annunciation. In what many scholars believe to be the year 5 B.C., Mary, a virgin betrothed to Joseph, was living in Nazareth, a city in Galilee. The angel Gabriel came to her with a message from God, announcing that she was to be the mother of the long-excepted Messiah by the power of the Holy Spirit (1:26-38; cf. Romans 1:3).

Elisabeth (Elizabeth in NLT). The wife of Zacharias (Zechariah in NLT) and  mother of John the Baptist. She was a descendant of Aaron, Moses's brother and the first high priest of Israel. She remained childless until well advanced in years. For five months she concealed her pregnancy, but the angel Gabriel revealed it to Mary as an assurance to her of her own miraculous pregnancy (Luke 1:36-37). Mary visited her cousin, Elisabeth, and they exchanged congratulations and praised God together. Mary stayed with her for three months (vv. 39-56).

 

BACKGROUND

Luke introduces us to two major players-an exemplary couple named Zacharias and Elisabeth, who had received the grace of God in large measure. In the time of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife, Elisabeth, was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children because Elisabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years (vv. 5-7). In any culture, infertility is an aching disappointment and for some an almost unbearable stress. But the burden cannot be compared to that borne by childless women in ancient Hebrew culture, where barrenness was considered a disgrace-even a punishment. Barrenness carried a moral stigma because, in Jewish thinking, it was not the fate of the righteous. Elisabeth called her barrenness her "reproach" (v. 25).

 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. Who sent the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26)?

2. Why do you think verses 26 and 27 give such detail regarding Mary's status and family?

3. Mary asks a question in verse 34. Does her question constitute doubt? Why?

 

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. While Mary received a blessing, it came in a way that made it hard to imagine. Why do think God sometimes blesses us in such miraculous ways that others-and sometimes we-find hard to believe? What can increase our faith at these unexpected times?

2. Damon, the child in the In Focus story, believed God for a sister and was adamant that God would keep His promise. What do you believe God for? How has God revealed to you the assurance for your faith?

 

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

Today it is common for couples-young and old, celebrities, family members, and others we know-to have babies without being married. We celebrate the birth of the children as though the parents were following the way of the Lord. The truth is that fornication (premarital sex), like adultery (sex with a person other than your spouse), is sin! How do you think individuals and the church collectively should respond to these questions:

1. How can we help our youths, in particular, to realize that having children without a commitment of love and marriage is not God's way-regardless of what society says?

2. How do we celebrate the children and teach them the way of God despite the circumstances of their birth?

MAKE IT HAPPEN

1.Life can be hectic; therefore, we sometimes loose focus of God's purpose and promises for us. It is important t study His Word so that we know Him and the promises He has for His people. How do you maintain a proper perspective of God's purpose for you?

2. If you have not have been baptized in Jesus' Name and filled with the Holy Ghost, you need to seek God for a greater revelation of His power in your life. If you have the Holy Ghost, you probably understand how God is confirming his promises in your life. Determine to spend more time in the Bible and in prayer during this holiday season to be clear about what God would have you do.

 

(Except from The Apostolic Light Pentecostal Assemblies of the World).