Experience the Nativity: "The Faith of Mary"

Sunday, December 10, 2006 - Rev. Rurel Ausley, Rev. Kevin Kelly

Luke 1:26-38

"In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her."

What kind of character did Mary have—what conclusions do you draw from this text? What was Mary’s relationship with God like? Imagine Mary’s everyday life in the small village of Nazareth. What might have been its joys and sorrows?

What enabled Mary to have such strong faith at such a young age? Where were you in your faith journey as a teenager? If you were not a believer at a young age, what was your understanding of spirituality and faith? Describe what it was like when you came to believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Lord and Savior? What were the circumstances surrounding your spiritual transformation? What were your greatest doubts and fears? Were you reluctant? Why or why not?

What is the difference between religion and relationship? How was Mary’s relationship with God different from many of her day who claimed to be religious?

Secular people often make fun of the virgin birth and claim it is impossible or an invalid claim. Why is belief that Mary was a virgin important to our understanding of who Jesus was and is? Mary had some concerns when Gabriel delivered his message to her. What was different about Mary’s “how?” question in verse 34 compared to Zechariah’s “how?” questions in 1:18? Why was Mary rewarded and Zechariah disciplined? If an angel were to reveal God’s plan for your life today, what would your reaction and response be?

Mary truly had a servant’s heart. Why is it so hard for us to accept being a servant? Why do we have such trouble being submissive to God? Have you had any experiences where God has taught you to be a willing servant?

Thirty some years later, Mary stood by the cross of her son. What did she think then about the promise of God in verses 32-33? If God offered to you a life full of mercy, but at the same time a life full of suffering such as Mary's life, how would you answer him?

In what area of your life do you need to believe that “nothing is impossible with God”? What keeps you from believing Him?