Luke 1:67-80 Personal Study Guide
December 15, 2019

INTRODUCTION

This inductive Bible study is designed to walk you through a particular passage and help you study it thoroughly. It is divided into five parts or “steps” which will guide you from a larger, broader perspective down to a more narrow, tightened understanding of the text. This guide also contains additional components, such as Going Deeper and Further Study, to help you as you work through the text.

1. DISCOVERING THE PASSAGE
2. IDENTIFYING THE STRUCTURE
3. FOCUSING ON KEY WORDS
4. CONNECTING TO THE WHOLE
5. APPLYING THE TEXT

Beginning with the day after your growth group meets, we encourage you to get alone with God and follow the instructions provided in this guide. Each step has specific guidelines followed by questions. We trust if you faithfully use this study to meet with the LORD each day not only will your personal walk with the LORD grow deeper but your growth group experience will be enhanced as well.

We turn our attention this Christmas week to the Gospel of Luke. The third Gospel was written by the physician Luke (Col. 4:14) likely in the early 60’s A.D. Luke writes his gospel as a well-educated historian, often giving dates and explanations to help identify people and historical context. One of Luke’s prominent themes was Jesus’s compassion for those considered outcasts in Jewish society (Gentiles, Samaritans, women, children, tax collectors, sinners, etc.)

Specifically in Luke 1:57-79 Luke tells us the story of John the Baptist’s father Zechariah and the prophecy he spoke immediately after regaining his sight. This song, often called the Benedictus, is a hymn of praise that anticipates and overviews the careers of the two children whom divine destiny has brought together. Zechariah ultimately focuses, not on his son John, but on the one to whom John will point - Jesus, the promised Messiah.

1. DISCOVERING THE PASSAGE

Discovering the Passage seeks to get an overall idea of the meaning of the passage. Think bigpicture. Pray for God to open your eyes to the meaning of Scripture.

  1. Read Luke 1:5-25 and 57-66 for background on the man Zechariah.

  2. Read Luke 1:67-80 slowly and thoughtfully. How would you summarize the main idea of the passage?

  3. Who is Zechariah’s prophecy referencing in verses 68-75? Who is it referencing in verses 76-79?

  4. Without the context of the entire passage, how might an Israelite have heard the prophecy of verses 68-74? Who may the Israelites have identified as their enemy?

  5. What truths about God are found in this passage?

Avoiding Pitfalls

Don’t get confused. Zechariah is overjoyed by the birth of his son, John, and refers to him in v. 76-77, but the focus is on redemption brought by Jesus.

2. IDENTIFYING THE STRUCTURE

Identifying the Structure seeks to gain insight into why the author wrote the way he did. Try to think like the author. Pray for God to give you insight into the writing of the Scriptures.

Questions

  1. After reading this passage, how would you outline it? Are there clear divisions?

  2. In verses 68-70, what four verbs show God’s action in our redemption?

  3. In verses 71-75, what five purposes are given for why God sent a Savior to redeem us? Meditate on these purposes for our salvation. What do they display about God and about us?

  4. In verses 76-80, notice the repetition of the infinitives (“to prepare,” “to give,” “to give,” and “to guide.”) What four tasks are given to John the Baptist from before he was born?

3. Focusing on Key Words

Focusing on Key Words seeks to identify and contemplate the use and meaning of specific words or concepts within the text. Pray for God to open your eyes to words and concepts you’ve never seen before or have overlooked.

GOING DEEPER: OT PROPHECIES OF JESUS

Zechariah states in his prophecy that the Lord “spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old” (v. 70). Numerous places in the Old Testament look forward to the coming of Jesus as Messiah and foretell His arrival centuries in advance. Consider how amazing this is! Moses refers to Jesus as the prophet who God would raise up (Deut 18:15). King David spoke of Jesus as one who would sit at the Lord’s right hand (Psalm 110:1). Isaiah prophesied of Christ as the one who was despised, rejected, a man of sorrows (Isa 53:3). He was the one who would be pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities (Isa 53:5). Jeremiah declared that Christ would be called “The Lord is our righteousness” (Jer 23:6). Ezekiel testified that Jesus would be the faithful shepherd who would feed God’s sheep (Ezek 34:23). Daniel calls him the “Ancient of Days” whose dominion and kingdom is everlasting (Dan 7:13-14). Micah prophesied that Christ will be the “ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2). Malachi declares Jesus to be the “messenger of the covenant in whom you delight (Mal 3:1). All of Scripture testifies of Jesus. Acts 10:43 says, “To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Praise God for redeeming his people from sin and darkness through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now prayerfully answer the questions below

Questions

  1. “Horn of salvation” in v. 69 invokes an image of power and strength and is applied to the royal descendant of David (see Ps 132:17; 148:14). To whom is Zechariah referring? Why would this be used to describe Jesus?

  2. “Redemption” means “deliverance from evil by payment of a price.” When Zechariah says the Lord God “redeemed his people,” what specifically is he praising God for?

  3. Who ultimately gives us knowledge of our need for salvation? According to verse 78, why does he do it?

  4. What does “sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death” (v. 79) imply about the nature and need of humanity?

4. CONNECTING TO THE WHOLE

Connecting to the Whole seeks to become aware of how key concepts and themes are seen elsewhere in Scripture. This is allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. Pray for God to help you see how this passage connects to the rest of the Bible.

Questions

First Paragraph (Luke 1:67-75)

  1. Consider how the following passages speak to Christ as the one who conquers Satan and brings salvation to His people: Gen. 3:15; John 12:30-32; Psalm 3:8.

  2. Zechariah praised the Lord that He had visited and redeemed His people. The Jews of that time considered this to be a political redemption. Hebrews 9:11-14 fully explains this redemption – record the truths taught in these verses.

Third Paragraph (Luke 1:76-80)

  1. Verse 78: What does this phrase mean? “The sunrise shall visit us from on high”? Who is referenced in this phrase? Read Malachi 4:2 to help you understand the source of the phrase.

  2. Verse 79: The Old Testament clearly spoke of the mission of Christ - ”to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.” Reflect on the following Scripture: Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 42:7. Record your observations.

  3. Jesus declared that He was the Light of the World (John 8:12). What is the only hope for those who have been blinded by the god of this world? See 2 Corinthians 4:3-6.

5. APPLYING THE TEXT

Applying the Text seeks to see people changed as the Word of God is brought to bear in the lives of individuals and communities (growth groups). Pray for God to reveal to you where you need to change and have the courage to take action.

Questions

  1. How do the aspects of God’s character revealed in this passage move you to worship?

  2. How does God’s long and drawn-out plan of redemption help us trust in His plans for our lives?

  3. Apart from God’s redemption in Christ, verse 79 says we are sitting in darkness and the shadow of death. What is your common place of darkness? How does resting in the gospel lift the darkness and bring you into the light?

  4. Part of God’s purpose in saving us is so that we can serve Him. Are you fulfilling God’s plan for your salvation by serving His Church and His Kingdom?

Prayer

Use the following prayer prompts to guide you in your prayers as a Growth Group:

For Your Growth Group

Thank you Lord for looking favorably on us by coming to this earth to be a sacrifice for our sins. Help us to be ministers of reconciliation by announcing that Jesus has come to this earth to offer salvation and peace.

For Parkwood

Lord, help each one of us (Parkwood members) to be welcoming to the many visitors that will attend Parkwood’s Christmas services. Help us, like Zechariah, serve the Lord without fear, announcing to others that Jesus came to bring light to those in darkness and will take away all our sins.

For Your Neighbors

Lord, you have come to rescue your creation as promised long ago. Help our our neighbors this Christmas know the promise of redemption still holds true for them today. Speak directly to them as they attend Christmas services.

For The Nations

Lord, you are faithful to fulfill your promise of salvation for all nations, all races, all ethnicities. Even those trapped in false religions – you came to set them free. Speak through the writings of your prophets to those in Judaism and Islam. Help them to see that you are the way, the truth and the life, and the promise given to our common ancestors.