Is This a Joke, God? ~ Luke 1

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Objectives:

to list the events of the annunciation to Zacharias and Mary
to explain that God is joyful and loves His people

Materials: a joke book; Bible (HERE is a fun place for Bible jokes.)

Geography:

Galilee, Nazareth

Background:

God has been silent for 400 years.

Main Events of Luke 1:

{Pull out the jokes.} Do you like to laugh? Do you like to tell jokes? [Read out 3 or 4 jokes and enjoy them.]

God created us to smile and laugh. He enjoys us and likes to bless us. And while I think God has a great sense of humor, I do not think God jokes around. If you think about it, jokes are meant to trick someone, or make fun of something. And God doesn’t do that. He never tricks us. He is always honest with us. That was what Zacharias found out.

Read Luke 1: 5-40. [Stop along the way. See the commentary and questions below.]

Set the stage after verse 9: It was Zacharias’ turn to go to the temple. He only had one time in his life to do this. And his lot was cast. He went to Jerusalem. He was an old man and his wife was old as well. He was a priest and had no children to pass on the priesthood. It was his turn to go into the temple and burn the incense in the Holy of Holies. He was a righteous man, blameless, and walked in the commands of God.

Verse 10: This was a yearly event. So the people were standing outside of the temple as Zacharias went in. They wanted to be sure that he came out and those who really believed in the Lord wanted to be sure their sins were forgiven.

Verse 12: How do you think Zacharias felt seeing an angel? (Keep in mind it has been 400 years of silence.)

Verse 13: What other couple have you learned about who had a baby in their old age? (Abraham and Sarah) What prayer do you think was heard? (The priest was to go in and pray over Israel and the people…so their sins would be forgiven.)

Verse 18: It’s almost like Zacharias asked the angel if God is joking. But God was about to start the events that would save His people from their sins, beginning with Zacharias, a righteous man whom God wanted to bless in his old age.

Verse 20: What was the consequence for Zacharias’ unbelief?

Verse 22: How did all of the people respond when Zacharias finally came out of the temple?

Verse 26: What was the name of the angel who told both announcements?

Verse 30: How does one find favor with God? What pleases Him? Read Hebrews 11:9.

Verse 36: So Mary went to her cousin’s house. Elizabeth and Mary. Two very special people who had two very special babies.

Verse 37: Is anything impossible with God? List some other “impossible” things God has done through the Bible, and YOUR life.

Life Application of Luke 1:

God enjoys His people, but He does not joke around with us. He takes Himself, us, and sin seriously. He is Truth. He will always tell you the Truth. He will not hide from you. He wants you to seek Him. He wants to show you that He can do the impossible.

Just like those two babies, YOU are special as well. Zacharias’ prayer had been heard. God was going to deal with the sin issue and forgive Israel of their sins. But not just Israel. God does the impossible for you too. Your sins are forgiven as well, if you have faith to believe that He is.