Creekside Community Church
The Favor of the Savior (Luke 1:26-56)
Creekside Community Church Fulfilled: Portraits of Longing in the Gospel of Luke December 8th, 2019 Jeff Bruce, Lead Pastor
Locations & Times
Creekside Community Church
951 MacArthur Blvd, San Leandro, CA 94577, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
1. How God Gives Favor
2.How We Receive Favor
3. Align your will with God’s will
For further thought and discussion:
Getting Started
1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2. What’s the most surprising award, honor, or acknowledgment you’ve ever received? Why did you receive it?
Going Deeper
3. How does God show favor to Mary in this passage (vv. 28, 41-45, 46-49)? Why does Mary describe herself as being of “humble estate” (1:48)? Why did God choose Mary to bear Jesus (vv. 51-53)? Why does Luke think this is significant (see Luke 14:11; 18:14)?
4. According to Gabriel, how will Mary conceive Jesus (v. 35)? Why is the manner of Jesus’ conception significant? What does it signify concerning Jesus (v. 35; compare with 3:38)? Why does this event mark a new stage in God’s redemptive plan (see Genesis 1:2; Exodus 40:35)?
5. Compare the stories of Zacharias (1:5-25) and Mary (1:26-34). How are they similar? How are they different? Why are these differences significant? Why does Gabriel rebuke Zacharias when he asks him a question (1:18)? Why does he reassure Mary when she asks him a question (1:34)? Why does Luke place these stories alongside one another? What point is he trying to make?
Application:
6. Jeff said that the human desire for favor is “not wrong, but warped.” Why is the desire for glory and honor so deeply ingrained in us? How can this desire be redeemed?
7. How is Mary an exemplar of humility? Jeff mentioned three aspects of Mary’s humility. Which of these was most relevant to you personally? Which do you need to apply this week?
8. What’s one thing you can do this week to apply this sermon?
Getting Started
1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2. What’s the most surprising award, honor, or acknowledgment you’ve ever received? Why did you receive it?
Going Deeper
3. How does God show favor to Mary in this passage (vv. 28, 41-45, 46-49)? Why does Mary describe herself as being of “humble estate” (1:48)? Why did God choose Mary to bear Jesus (vv. 51-53)? Why does Luke think this is significant (see Luke 14:11; 18:14)?
4. According to Gabriel, how will Mary conceive Jesus (v. 35)? Why is the manner of Jesus’ conception significant? What does it signify concerning Jesus (v. 35; compare with 3:38)? Why does this event mark a new stage in God’s redemptive plan (see Genesis 1:2; Exodus 40:35)?
5. Compare the stories of Zacharias (1:5-25) and Mary (1:26-34). How are they similar? How are they different? Why are these differences significant? Why does Gabriel rebuke Zacharias when he asks him a question (1:18)? Why does he reassure Mary when she asks him a question (1:34)? Why does Luke place these stories alongside one another? What point is he trying to make?
Application:
6. Jeff said that the human desire for favor is “not wrong, but warped.” Why is the desire for glory and honor so deeply ingrained in us? How can this desire be redeemed?
7. How is Mary an exemplar of humility? Jeff mentioned three aspects of Mary’s humility. Which of these was most relevant to you personally? Which do you need to apply this week?
8. What’s one thing you can do this week to apply this sermon?