Week 1: Mary: Hope in the Midst of Challenge

Announcements:

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Worship:

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Luke 1:26-38; 46-55

Mary sings with hope and faith, obediently trusting in God’s plan

Introduction

In this sermon series, we are looking at those who came “to the manger.”

One of the figures in this story that we know best is Mary, whose story begins before the manger with a visit from an angel telling her the role she will have in God’s plan.

She responds in obedience, singing a song. Mary's song, known as the Magnificat, is a song of praise that expresses Mary’s faith and understanding of God. Themes found in the hymn are of God’s mercy, justice and faithfulness.

Ultimately, Mary holds on to hope, even when she could not fully understand what would happen.

Background context

Luke 1:26-38

Explore the cultural implications of the angels’ announcement for Mary

Explore Mary’s willingness to faithfully obey God’s plan

ï   What would this mean for Mary in her community?

ï   How would her life change?

ï   What would happen to someone in her position?

Ideas to explore:

Praising God in the midst of change - Luke 1:46-48

Mary’s offers deep personal praise coming from her soul and spirit

Mary knows her ordinary and humble status and recognizes God’s unmerited favour

Mary sees her blessing will go beyond her to future generations because of God’s work

Application:

Reflect on our own attitudes of praise towards God

Reflect on our own attitudes when God does something out of the ordinary Reflect on our own attitudes of God’s unmerited favour towards us

Consider how God’s work in our lives is to be a blessing beyond ourselves to future generations.

God’s Mighty Works and Mercy - Luke 1:49-50

Describe God’s greatness, holiness and unending mercy

Application:

What are the great things God has done in your life?

Do our lives reflect an understanding and acknowledgment of God’s greatness, holiness and mercy?

God’s Reversal - Luke 1:51-53

God acts with justice and power

Reversal – God brings down the proud and raises the humble Reversal – God provides for the hungry and needy, rich are left empty

Application:

What are the ways God has acted justly and powerfully in your life? Are we aligned with God’s values of humility and justice?

God’s Faithfulness - Luke 1:54-55

God keeps his promises – referencing Abrahamic covenant

God keeps his word

Application:

Can you take God at His word?

How have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life?

Options for Reflection and Application

Share about a time in your life that you felt led by God to do something that felt risky or didn’t make much sense. How did you find hope in the midst of that? How did you experience God’s mercy in the midst of that?

Look to your own church. How does this story apply to circumstances your own church is facing where hope is needed? Is your church struggling financially, or seeking a time of challenge? How does Mary’s story apply to you?

What about in the world around us? Consider situations where hope is needed:

ï   Areas of warfare

ï   Political tensions

ï   Recent news stories

What does Mary teach us about having hope in the midst of these struggles?

Conclusion

This season of advent, we make our way to the manger. Like Mary, how will we find hope in the story of Christ’s birth where we need hope in our own lives?