Luke Part 1 Week 6

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:57-58 

⁵⁷ When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. ⁵⁸ And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her. 

The story now turns to Elizabeth who gave birth to the promised son at her and Zechariah’s old age. Friends and relatives rejoiced with her. They saw this as God’s mercy being extended to Elizabeth.  

REFLECT 

How is it when a relative has a baby? Do you rejoice with them? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about what each of you could do to help others with babies. If you are able, you could work in a pregnancy center working with babies of those who chose not to have an abortion. Or perhaps you could be used in encouraging a young mother. Ask God to give you ideas of how you can be helpful in rejoicing with others when they have babies. 

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:59-60 

⁵⁹ When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. ⁶⁰ But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!” 

According to Jewish law, boy babies were to be circumcised when they were eight days old (see Genesis 17:9-14). That was the time when Elizabeth’s baby would be named. Friends thought he should be called the same name as his father. Elizabeth insisted his name should be “John.” Friends and relatives could not understand that. She knew this is what the angel had told her husband Zechariah (see Luke 1:13). 

REFLECT 

When you are sure of something from God’s Word, do not let others talk you out of it? 

RESPOND 

Spend time in God’s Word, the Bible, so you are accurate in explaining it to others. Visit with a friend about what each of you could do to help younger believers. They may be an older age, but younger in the faith than you are. See what Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:15 and be encouraged by it. 

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:61-62 

⁶¹ “What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.” ⁶² So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him. 

Friends and relatives did not like what Elizabeth wanted to name the baby. They argued with her and “used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him.”  Using gestures to communicate indicates that at this time Zechariah was unable to hear as well as speak. Friends and relatives were sure they were on the right path to knowing Zechariah would want the son to have a family name.  

REFLECT 

Have you heard about or experienced friends and relatives disagreeing about what a baby should be named? 

RESPOND 

Talk about names with a friend. Some like to choose Bible names for their children, such as “Stephen” that refers to a “victor’s crown.” Whatever the name, the parents need to use their godly wisdom to bring up the child to love his siblings, love his parents, and most of all to love the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:63-64 

⁶³ He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” ⁶⁴ Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God. 

Zechariah could not speak so he asked for a tablet. On it he wrote, “His name is John.” Suddenly Zechariah was able to speak again. The friends and relatives were surprised at his answer and likely also surprised that Zechariah began speaking again and praising God.  

REFLECT 

Think of this example of what occurred when Zechariah and Elizabeth obeyed God’s command. Is it your desire to obey God? 

RESPOND 

Those who obey God should want to love what He loves and hate what He hates. Talk with a friend about this. For examples, read Psalm 97:10 and Proverbs 6:16-19. Notice especially Proverbs 6:19. Are you obeying this? 

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:65-66 

⁶⁵ Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. ⁶⁶ Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way. 

The birth of John, known later as John the Baptist, caused everyone to wonder what he would become. It was not a virgin birth as Mary was experiencing, but John’s birth was a miracle of God for the old couple to have a child. The people recognized “the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.” They did not understand it nor could they explain it, but they realized God was at work through this son.  

REFLECT 

Consider what you have to marvel at today. The most special can be a person who trusts in Jesus as Savior and has eternal life.  

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend and be encouraged about sharing a short testimony about the change Jesus has brought into your life. One may be that you not need to fear death as you did in your unsaved years (see 1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Share your testimony first with each other. Then memorize your comments so you are prepared to share them with a stranger who needs Jesus.