Lesson 3 – Mary Visits Elizabeth
God remembers Mary, filling her womb with the world’s Savior. God remembers us and through His Word and Sacraments, fills us with Christ Jesus, granting us full salvation. Like Mary, we offer our humble praise.
Opening
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
This lesson will use the Bible, the Bible Exploration Guide and the Lesson 3 Leaflet from the Student Pack. The front cover shows how the artist sees Mary meeting Elizabeth. Also paper and pencil will be needed.
What would you think if I said l am a Christian who prays to God, but I never expect answers? Some might think I lacked faith in God to answer; others might question why I even bother to pray, or they might question my faith.
Watch the video, "Umbrella”.
Why do you think the man said, "Are you new to this whole praying thing?... I wouldn't be counting on the rain"? The man didn't really expect God to answer his prayer and give rain. The man prayed without faith.
What did the woman show by getting an umbrella? She trusted God to answer their prayer and specifically to give rain. She prayed in faith.
What are the benefits and dangers of each view? There are no benefits to praying without faith in God. It's a waste of time, like shouting into an empty canyon. Perhaps callously, we avoid disappointment if we don't expect answers. We should always pray with faith, knowing God will answer. However, God is not a vending machine. We don't order what we want and God instantly gives it. Instead, God chooses the best answer for our prayers. He might say yes, no, not now, or wait. And always He is with us, through good and bad, and brings good from all things for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
Some people in this lesson struggled with these issues. Let's see how they responded to some life challenges.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, by the Holy Spirit, help us to pray in faith, trusting that You hear and answer our prayers. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
God Speaks
When the angel Gabriel told Mary she would conceive a son by the Holy Spirit, what proof did he offer to show he was telling the truth? Mary's relative Elizabeth was six months pregnant with a son. This was a miracle since she was barren and beyond childbearing years (Luke 1:36).
The Bible says Mary hurried to see Elizabeth. Why do you think she did that? We can only speculate, but Mary probably wanted to see the "proof" in Elizabeth. Also, Mary probably felt excited for Elizabeth and wanted to see her.Elizabeth was a safe confidante since she lived about seventy miles away and experienced a miracle herself.
Follow the directions on page 2 of the leaflet. Read the scriptures and answer the questions for both sections. Then make a poster that tells about your part of the lesson. Try to show facts, action, emotions, and key words. Use drawings, captions, symbols, words, speech bubbles, and other creative ideas.
SECTION ONE: Read Luke 1:39-45 and answer the questions.
Elizabeth hid her pregnancy for five months (Luke 1:24). When Gabriel visited Mary, he said Elizabeth was six months pregnant (Luke 1:36). What do women look like when they are six months pregnant? Most women have a round belly by six months and cannot hide it.
Since Mary hurried to see Elizabeth after Gabriel's visit, how pregnant do you think she was? What did she look like? A few days to a few weeks; she would not have looked any different yet.
What happened to Elizabeth and her baby when they heard Mary's voice? The baby leaped in the womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
How did Elizabeth explain her baby's leap? Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth said the baby (John) leaped with joy at the presence of his Lord in Mary's womb.
What three things did Elizabeth know only because the Holy Spirit filled her (verses 42-45)? (1) Mary was pregnant ("fruit of your womb"). (2) Mary's baby was Elizabeth's Lord. (3) Before Mary had time to tell her story, Elizabeth blessed her for believing what God said (verse. 45).
Gabriel told Elizabeth's husband, Zechariah, that their child would "be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb" How was this promise fulfilled this day? John, filled with the Holy Spirit even in utero, recognized the presence of the Lord in Mary's womb.
Show what happened to the women in your drawing.
SECTION TWO: Read Luke 1:46-56.
This section of Scripture records a song of Mary called the Magnificat, used throughout the centuries in worship and still used today. Why did Mary sing the song? To praise God and rejoice.
What did Mary say God did for her (verses 48-49)? God looked on her humble state and blessed her. All generations would know this and call her blessed. He did great things for her.
List words that describe God's qualities (verses 47, 49-51). God my Savior; mighty; holy; merciful; strong
Find two sets of corresponding actions of God in verses 52-53. God brought down the mighty from their thrones but exalted the humble. He filled the hungry with good things but sent the rich away empty.
List other actions of God (verses 51, 54-55). God has shown strength; scattered the thoughts of the proud; helped His servant Israel; remembered His mercy and words to Abraham and his offspring (His covenant).
Show God's qualities and actions in your drawing.
We Live
On page 3 of the leaflet, read the Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed.
Then turn to page 4 of the leaflet and answer the questions.
Why do you think Christians recite the Apostles' Creed during a Baptism and in many worship services? The Apostles Creed states what Christ did for us on the cross. It proclaims what we believe as Christians. When someone comes into God's family, they hear and confess this statement of belief.
In the Second Article of the Apostles' Creed, we confess that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary. Why did Jesus need to be born as a human baby? Read Galatians 4:4-5 (on the leaflet page).
Jesus was born of a woman in order to take our place as true man. Jesus was born of a human woman (Mary) but He had no earthly Father. He was “conceived by the Holy Spirit” (Apostles' Creed; Luke 1:35) and therefore He did not inherit Adam's sin. All others born of a man and a woman are born sinful and are under the curse and need to be saved (Psalm 51:5; Romans 6:23). Even if we were somehow able to live perfectly (to keep the Law perfectly), we would still be guilty of sin and deserve eternal damnation because we are conceived and born in sin. But Jesus was conceived and born without sin (Hebrews 2:14-18, 4:14-16; 1 Peter 2:22).
Why does it matter that Mary was a virgin before Jesus was born? Read Isaiah 7:14 (on the leaflet page).
This was a sign prophesied about the Messiah.
Immanuel means "God is with us" How does this name fit Jesus? The name perfectly describes Jesus, true God and true man, who lived, died, and rose to save us from sin, death, and the devil.
In the Second Article, we confess that Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried. Why did Jesus do this? Read Colossians 1:19-23 (on the leaflet page).
Jesus endured a painful and humiliating death on the cross as true man to make peace with God. In His body of flesh, by death, Jesus paid the price for our sins to reconcile our relationship with God. Christ makes us holy, blameless, and above reproach so that we can live with Him now and forever.
Read "From Nazareth to the Hill Country of Judea" on pages 8-9 of the Bible Exploration Guide.
Closing
Close by listening to the video "My Soul Rejoices" or by reading "The Lord's Prayer" (Matthew 6:9-13).