• One of the themes of this was that Mary and  Joseph were obedient to God and that Jesus also modelled obedience in part by being concerned to do his Father's business. What are the areas of your life that the Lord is challenging you about obedience in?
• The passage shows us both the humanity and divinity of Jesus. What does it mean for us to see Jesus in this way?
• v52 shows us that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature as a young man. What challenges you about this In both how you see Jesus but also in how you approach your own growth?

‘[Mary] placed him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guest room’ Luke 2:7; what difference does it make that Jesus was born in such humble circumstances?

‘The sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays’ Malachi 4:2; where do you most need the light and healing of Jesus to be seen? Pray about these things.

‘Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God’ Luke 2:13; an army of angels appeared at Jesus birth - how does this and these other passages - Matthew 13:24-30,36-43; Matthew 26:47-56; Revelation 19:11-16 - help us to understand the power and authority of Jesus?

In both Mary and Elizabeth we see them hearing  from God, responding in faith and being filled with the Holy Spirit. What can we learn about faith and obedience from that?

Mary's Song was a response of joy toward God. Real worship is initiated by the Holy Spirit and is a response toward God. What are you rejoicing about in your life this week?

Mary's Song reminds us of the nature of God's kingdom as opposed to the kingdoms of this world. What do we learn about God and His way of doing things from these verses?

What are your "awe & wonder" moments from Luke 1?

Have you ever thought that you too are highly favoured as a result of Jesus coming? Read John 1:16 "Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given".

Speak these three versions of Luke 1 v 37 over whatever you are currently facing: "No word from God will ever fail", "God's word will never lose it power", "With God nothing shall be impossible".

Do you see God at work, do you see His mercy and grace?

Do you recognise God's mercies in your life?

God is a covenant keeping God, and His mercies are new every morning. Therefore we can trust Him.

We also ought to respond in Joy, praise, obedience and faith, when we see God's mercies at work.

Are you able to see and experience God's work even when things seem tough?

John's ministry was to prepare people's hearts for Jesus. In the run up to the Christmas season, take time to reflect on Christ coming into the world and to honestly ask yourself, what is the state of your heart?

Do we need to prepare our hearts afresh with a new sense of repentance - turning round from living our way and to live in obedience to God? 

In what ways might God want to use you during this week to point others towards Jesus?

What does Luke set out to do? How might Luke's gospel help you know about Jesus, and become more like Him?

We heard several different analogies for faith: Jenga... Lego... a bridge. Did any of these resonate with you at this time? As my aunt would ask: have you told Jesus about it?

What themes in Luke are you most looking forward to uncovering, and are there any that make you nervous?

How do you intentionally look for opportunities to share your faith with others both in word and deed?

How could we find creative ways to share the gospel within social action projects in ways which are culturally sensitive and non-coercive?

Why are we hesitant at times about sharing faith? Do we need to be more used to taking risks?

What are the challenges and opportunities for you with your friendship group and work environment as you look to faithfully live out the Bible's teaching around social and moral issues?

1 Peter 3 speaks about doing good to all and being ready to to give a reason for the hope that is in you? Do you find that your life provokes questions from your non Christian relatives, friends, neighbours or colleagues? Do you feel equipped to answer them? How might you grow in this?

Tony spoke of not just answering people's questions but also questioning their answers. How do we do this lovingly and respectfully but also in an appropriately provocative way?