Here Is Your God!

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December 14, 2008 - Luke 1:46-56

Open It

  1. What songs are you most likely to be caught singing in the shower?

  2. Which church hymns are your favorites? Why?

  3. If you had the skill and opportunity, how would you tell the world about a life-changing experience: write a poem, sing a song, publish a novel, or make a movie? Why?

Explore It

  1. What were the two parts of Mary's song? (1:46-55)

  2. What attributes of God are extolled in the first part of Mary's song? (1:46-49)

  3. What different titles for God did Mary mention in her song? (1:46-47, 49)

  4. What specific actions did Mary say God had done for her? (1:46-49)

  5. How did Mary describe herself in her song? (1:47-48)

  6. What reasons did Mary give for believing that all generations would call her "blessed"? (1:48)

  7. What characteristics of God did Mary sing about in the second part of her hymn? (1:50-56)

  8. According to Mary's song, what kinds of people are given special treatment by God? (1:50-55)

  9. What happens to people who fear God? (1:50)

  10. What happens to the proud? (1:51)

  11. To whom was God merciful? (1:54-55)

Get It

  1. What words best describe Mary's attitude?

  2. What reasons can we give for calling Mary a woman blessed by God?

  3. What evidence do we have today that God is still keeping His promises?

  4. How can we illustrate God's "bringing down rulers and lifting up the humble" today?

  5. What different methods have you used to tell others your experiences with God?

  6. What actions of God which Mary mentioned have you observed or experienced?

  7. How does God show mercy to us today?

Apply It

  1. In what way can you glorify the Lord and rejoice in your Savior this week?

  2. What person close to you still needs to hear you express your faith?

Notes

Luke 1:46-55: This song is often called the Magnificat, the first word in the Latin translation of this passage. Mary's song has often been used as the basis for choral music and hymns. Like Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Samuel 2:1-10), Mary glorified God in song for what he was going to do for the world through her. Notice that in both songs, God is pictured as a champion of the poor, the oppressed, and the despised.

1:48 When Mary said, "From now on all generations will call me blessed," was she being proud? No, she was recognizing and accepting the gift God had given her. If Mary had denied her incredible position, she would have been throwing God's blessing back at him. Pride is refusing to accept God's gifts or taking credit for what God has done; humility is accepting the gifts and using them to praise and serve God. Don't deny, belittle, or ignore your gifts. Thank God for them and use them to his glory.

1:54-55 God kept his promise to Abraham to be merciful to God's people forever (Genesis 22:16-18). Christ's birth fulfilled the promise, and Mary understood this. She was not surprised when her special son eventually announced that he was the Messiah. She had known Jesus' mission from before his birth. Some of God's promises to Israel are found in 2 Samuel 22:50-51; Psalm 89:2-4; Psalm 103:17-18; Micah 7:18-20.

Luke 1:56: Because travel was not easy, long visits were customary. Mary must have been a great help to Elizabeth, who was experiencing the discomforts of a first pregnancy in old age.

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