74 Jesus forgives a woman who was caught in adultery.75 Jesus teaches in the Temple.76 Jesus sends another seventy-two disciples into the fields of ministry.77 A good Samaritan helping a Jew shows how to love others.78 Jesus heals a man who was born blind.79 The good shepherd cares for his sheep.80 Martha becomes frustrated with her sister’s behavior.
107 Two blind men want to see.108 Mary anoints Jesus with expensive perfume.109 People cheer as Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey.110 Some Greek men want to see Jesus.
3 An angel meets Zechariah in the Temple.
Numbers 6:3; Malachi 4:5–6; Luke 1:5–25
Zechariah was a priest who served in the Temple twice each year (Luke 1:5–6). How would you describe the nature of his faith in God?
Author’s Thoughts
In the first century, having many children was proof of God’s favor. Childlessness was God’s curse because of sin. How might Zechariah and Elizabeth have dealt with this social prejudice for all their married lives (Luke 1:7)?
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Do you think Zachariah being chosen by lot to burn incense in the Temple’s Holy Place was coincidence or God’s design (Luke 1:8–9)? Why?
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Why would the appearance of an angel terrify Zechariah (Luke 1:10–11)?
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Did Zechariah know he was seeing an angel (Luke 1:10–11)? If so, how did he know?
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After praying for a son his whole married life, now that he and his wife were past the age of childbearing, how might Zechariah have felt when he was told that his prayer had been answered (Luke 1:13)?
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The only eyewitness to all that happened in the Temple is obviously Zechariah. How do you think this story reached the ears of the gospel writer (Luke 1:5–25)?
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Why might Zechariah have had no difficulty remembering the angel’s words (Luke 1:13–17)?
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How well do you think Zechariah understood what his son’s ministry would be (Luke 1:17)?
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Why couldn’t Zechariah believe what the angel had promised (Luke 1:18)? Why do people sometimes find it hard to believe God’s word?
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If Zechariah’s unbelief was understandable under the circumstances, why might he have been judged so harshly (Luke 1:19–20)?
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Why do you think God gave Zechariah a son instead of some other man with more faith (Luke 1:19–20)?
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What kinds of signs might Zechariah have made in his attempt to communicate with the people (Luke 1:21–22)?
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If Zechariah had not lost his speech, what would he have most likely told the people (Luke 1:21–22)?
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How different would Zechariah’s walk home have been (Luke 1:23)?
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When Zechariah arrived home, how would he have greeted Elizabeth (Luke 1:23–24)?
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What difficulties would Elizabeth have had in understanding her husband’s message (Luke 1:24–25)?
Author’s Thoughts
At what point do you think Elizabeth came to the full realization that God was doing a miracle (Luke 1:24–25)?