
Series: Then Christ Came
Title: Head and Heart
Passage: Luke 1-2
Speaker: Steve Howell (Senior Minister)
Use the following questions and directions based on today’s sermon as a starting point for spiritual discussions with your family or a small group of Christian friends this week.
Fellowship—Relationship with a Purpose
- Have you ever been excited to meet a new arrival (your own child, a sibling, a niece or nephew, a grandchild)? Compare your expectations with the reality of meeting this child. How did you react? How did you feel?
Growth—Thinking About Spiritual Matters
Read the entirety of Luke 1-2. It should take you 10 minutes or less.
In Luke’s preface (1:1-4), how does he explain his purpose for writing? Why is it important for Christians to have certainty in our beliefs?
Luke focuses on a lot of people in his introduction. Look up the following verses from Luke and list the people we should notice: Luke 1:5, 1:27, 1:41, 2:8, 2:25, 2:36. Who tends to get your attention? Who do you typically ignore? Why?
Luke focuses on two parallel birth stories: the birth of John the Baptist, and the birth of Jesus. What is the relationship between these two?
Read Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55. Restate it in your own words. How does God’s reversal of expectations for the humble and the proud relate to His work in Jesus?
Read Zechariah’s song in Luke 1:68-79. What enemies of God do you think came to mind when Zechariah prophesied this? What enemies of God would Jesus defeat?
Why do you think God announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20? How does each person in this scene demonstrate belief? How does each person demonstrate worship?
Why should belief in God always result in worship? Would God be pleased with the level of your worship today? Why or why not?
Prayer – Taking Your Thoughts to God
- Pray for God to expand your heart for Him. Ask for help to rejoice and praise Him for the work of salvation He has accomplished through Jesus.