Timeless Story, Timely Told

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December 22, 2002 - 2 Samuel 7.1-11, 16; Luke 1.26-38

Open It

  1. When was an occasion that you received an unexpected honor?
  2. How do you tend to react when you receive unexpected good news?

Explore It

  1. What contrast bothered David after he was well established in Jerusalem? (2 Samuel 7:1-2)
  2. What was Nathan's initial reaction to David's instinct to build a house for the ark of God? (2 Samuel 7:3)
  3. What promise did God make concerning His people, Israel? (2 Samuel 7:10-11)
  4. What was God's covenant with the house of David? (2 Samuel 7:11-12, 16)
  5. What was God's will concerning the building of a house for His Name? (2 Samuel 7:13)
  6. How long did God promise to establish the throne of David? (2 Samuel 7:13)
  7. Who greeted Mary? Why? (Luke 1:26-28)
  8. How did Mary learn of her role in Jesus' birth? (Luke 1:26-28)
  9. How did Mary feel when the angel appeared to her? (Luke 1:29-30)
  10. How did Gabriel describe the child that would be born to Mary? (Luke 1:31-33)
  11. What title would Jesus have? (Luke 1:32)
  12. What Old Testament personalities were part of Jesus' royal line? (Luke 1:32-33)
  13. What kind of attitude was apparent in Mary's response to the angel's visit? (Luke 1:38)
  14. What did Mary's final statement to Gabriel show about her relationship with God? (Luke 1:38)

Get It

  1. What gentle correction did God include with His promises to David?
  2. What is the most reassuring aspect of God's covenant with the house of David?
  3. What do Mary's responses to Gabriel tell us about the kind of people through whom God works?
  4. In what different ways do people respond to the story of Christ's birth?
  5. What difference does it make whether or not a person believes that the child born to Mary was really the Son of God?
  6. In what ways would you say Mary's responses to Gabriel summarize what our relationship with God ought to be like?

Apply It

  1. How might God be intending to bless others through his blessings to you personally?
  2. What is the most important "temple" you can offer to God, and what is one thing you can do to offer it?
  3. What can you do to maintain a servant's attitude as you live from day to day?
  4. In what ways can you develop the kind of humble spirit that Mary had?

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