Message Notes for December 15, 2019

Series: Surprise Guests

Week Three: Blessing

Mary was a surprise guest to Elizabeth but ended up receiving a surprise blessing.

Luke 1:39-45 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town ⁴⁰ where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, ⁴² and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³ And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

The Holy Spirit encourages us to look beyond ourselves and into the lives of others.

Four blessing gifts Mary received from Elizabeth and we can give to others.

1. Confirmation of what God is doing.
2. Understanding of blessing.
3. Affirmation of personal value.
4. Acknowledgement that faith and belief matters.

Family/Group Study Notes for the week of December 15, 2019

Series: Surprise Guests

Week Three: Blessing

• Read Luke 1:37-38.  What does this passage say about Mary’s belief in God?  Read Luke 1:26-36. What obstacles to belief occur in this passage?  What does this say about Mary’s character? 
• Why do you think Mary was chosen by God?  Do you think she had free will to say no?  Do you think God knew her faithfulness and character so well before asking that He knew she would say yes?  Who do you think God is looking for to accomplish His Kingdom agenda in the world? 
• When have you been more blessed when visiting with someone?  Why did you feel that way?
• Read Luke 1:39-45.  How was this surprise visit from Mary turned into a surprise blessing for Mary?  What was the role of the Holy Spirit in this passage?  In what ways was Mary blessed with encouragement?  How did this help confirm what she had just experienced with God through the Angel?
• How can you help confirm in others what God is doing in their lives?
• Why is it easier for someone from the outside to identify a God blessing in someone else?  Why is this necessary? 
• How do you make people feel in the first 10 seconds you meet them?  How could you grow in making people feel more valuable to you?
• What is the most significant thing you will take with you from this study?  How can you apply it to your daily life?
• Gather in smaller groups and encourage and pray for each other.