Wonder - End of Week 3

INTRODUCTION
The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.

OPEN QUESTIONS
Think back to Christmas’ of old, and a gift that you wanted so bad you could taste it.  What was that gift and do you remember the feeling of waiting?  If you can, describe that feeling.

HEAD

1. Read Luke 1:39-80 together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading.
2. Why do you think Mary was so quick to go to Elizabeth’s house?
3. Imagine Elizabeth’s joy, that not only was she pregnant, but her relative was too and both from divine intervention.  What do you think that kind of emotion was like?
4. Mary’s song is so beautiful, full of praise and humility.  Talk about what you think the conversations were like that Elizabeth and Mary had around the breakfast table in the mornings.
5. Oh the joy of Zechariah and Elizabeth to have a healthy baby boy!  But they went against tradition by naming him John and the people were surprised.  However, this act of obedience gave Zechariah his speech back.  Imagine being in the crowd watching all this unfold.  What do you think it would have been like?
6. What do you think Zechariah spent his time in silence thinking about?  And why do you think his first order of business after naming his boy John was to praise God?

HEART

1. Why do you think it’s so important to have other people to journey with in this life of faith, much like Mary and Elizabeth had each other to help navigate the miracles that were to come?
2. I’m sure some saw Zechariah’s months of silence as a punishment. Why might it have been a gift instead?
3. Praise for all that God has done is a common theme in this first chapter of Luke.  Of course, it’s easier to praise when you finally see the fulfillment of things you have waited for.  It’s harder to praise when life is tough and you don’t see what God is up to in the moment.  What are some ways we can help each other remember to praise, to worship, even when life is difficult?
4. When was the last time you were rendered speechless at something that happened around you?  What was it and why do you think it caused such an affect?
5. Have you ever had a wilderness experience like John, or Jesus during his temptations, or the Israelites as they wandered?  Did you come out of that experience having learned anything about yourself or about God?

HANDS
For this week, take a moment to write out your own Magnificant to God.  Reflect back on all the good that He has done in your life, even if you’re currently in a difficult season of life.  How has God blessed you? How has God shown up for you? What has God taught you?


LIVING WORDS FOR YOUR WEEK
“Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!”
Psalm 155:6, NLT
“Let all who fear the Lord repeat: His faithful love endures forever.”
Psalm 118:4, NLT