Luke 1:5-80; Matthew 1:18-25

Think About It

There were many miracles surrounding the birth of Jesus and His relative, John. Write and list them in a journal.

• What can you learn from Zechariah and apply to your own life?
• Mary’s life probably was not going quite the way she had planned it. In what ways do you think her life was turned upside down by these events?
• What events have turned your life upside down recently? A global pandemic? Lockdown? A change in life circumstance?
• How has God been using these to develop your character?
• How do you think these experiences can be used in the lives of others as you obey God in the task of discipling friends and family?

Digging Deeper

When we talk about God becoming man, we use the word ‘incarnation’. Some people believe God created the world, but then left humans to get on with it. These people believe that God rarely gets involved in His creation. The birth of Jesus shows us that the opposite is true. As Christians, we believe God is involved in the world, God is concerned about what is happening, and that He loves the people He created.

Did Jesus stop being God to be human? No, Jesus covered up His divine nature so that His humanity could be fully expressed. Jesus did not rely on His rights or nature as God to live as a human. The gospels tell us that Jesus did what He did through the power of the Holy Spirit! Jesus was still fully God, lived as a human, with the same limitations that we have. But He did this by His own choice. Jesus lived as a man with the same resources that we have: Prayer, the Holy Spirit, and the Scriptures.

Mary and Joseph's plan for their lives was probably a little different to God's plan. There would have been a lot of gossip going around town about Mary’s pregnancy. They could not have the wedding they wanted, celebrating with their family and community. When Joseph and His wife went to Bethlehem, they probably did not plan on having their baby in a barn meant for sheep and donkeys! But – they were obedient to God's plan. And God's plans are always better than ours because God knows the future. He knows what is coming next. It is not wrong to have your own plan for your life, but you also need to allow God to guide your steps.

What plans have you made for your life? How is God asking you to adjust your plans so that you can impact those whom you are discipling? How has Covid-19 challenged you to adjust how you love and disciple people?

Pray that you will be open to God and His plans, especially when His plans for your life are not what you originally had in mind.