Two Magnificent
Births
Luke 1:57-2:20
DISCUSSION GUIDE
1. Luke mentions two groups that gathered to
celebrate the birth of John. Who were they?
(Luke 1:58)
Luke says that neighbors and relatives gathered to
celebrate the birth of John.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
2. How did the relatives respond when Elizabeth
announced that the baby’s name was John?
(Luke 1:61-62)
They noted that no one in the family was named
John. There is a hint of condemnation in the tone
of their response. They looked to Zechariah to
overrule his wife.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
3. How do you know when it is right
to go against the counsel and
opinions of your family?
DISCUSSION GUIDE
4. What caused Zechariah’s voice to be restored?
(Luke 1:63-64)
Zechariah’s voice was restored when he agreed
with Elizabeth that the baby should be named
John.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
5. What question did everyone have when they
heard about the birth of John? (Luke 1:66)
They wondered, “What then is this child going to
be?” They saw that the Lord’s hand was with
him.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
6. For what does Zechariah praise God? (Luke
1:68-75)
Zechariah praises God for:
a. Redeeming his people
b. Raising up a horn of salvation for David’s descendants
c. Providing salvation from our enemies
d. Showing mercy to our fathers
e. Remembering his holy covenant
f. Rescuing us and enabling us to serve him without fear
DISCUSSION GUIDE
7. Who is the subject of the second part of
Zechariah’s song? What does Zechariah say
that John will do? (Luke 1:76-79)
John is the subject of the second part of
Zechariah’s song. Zechariah says that John will:
a. Be called a prophet of God
b. Prepare the way for the Lord
c. Provide a knowledge of salvation
DISCUSSION GUIDE
8. What are some things that might
cause you to burst into
spontaneous praise?
DISCUSSION GUIDE
9. What historical facts does Luke provide about
the time of Jesus’ birth? (Luke 2:1-2)
Luke provides the following historical facts:
a. Caesar August issued a decree that a census
should be taken
b. The census was taken when Quirinius was
governor of Syria
c. Everyone had to go to their “hometown”
DISCUSSION GUIDE
10.
Why did Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem?
(Luke 2:4)
They traveled to Bethlehem because that was the
home of his ancestors. Joseph was a descendant
of David.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
11.
What was the marital status of Joseph and
Mary at the time of their trip to Bethlehem?
What was Mary’s physical condition? (Luke
2:5)
At the time Joseph and Mary were pledged to be
married. Mary was pregnant.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
12.
What were the conditions in Bethlehem on
the night of Jesus’ birth? (Luke 2:6-7)
The town was so crowded that there were no
rooms for the young couple.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
13. How are people today like the
town of Bethlehem on the
night of Jesus’ birth?
DISCUSSION GUIDE
14.
Where and when did the angels appear to
the shepherds? (Luke 2:8-9)
The shepherds were in a field near Bethlehem
when the angels appeared to them. Luke tells us
that it was at night.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
15.
What message did the angels bring to the
shepherds? (Luke 2:10-14)
At first there was a single angel who tried to calm the
fears of the shepherds. The angel told the shepherds that
a savior had been born in Bethlehem and gave them
specific facts to help them recognize the baby. At this
point many angels joined the first messenger and they all
praised God.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
16.
What actions did the shepherds take when
the angels were gone? (Luke 2:15-18)
The shepherds immediately left their flocks and
went to find Jesus. After their visit with Jesus and
his family they shared the good news with others.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
17. What responsibility belongs to
those who have discovered the
good news? Who do you know
who needs to be told about Jesus?
Harry Ironside
James Allen Francis