Lesson 1
Hear the Good News

		Read Luke 1:1-38.
		Memory Work:  Luke 1:37

		1.a. To whom was Luke writing this gospel?

		   b. Do you know what this person’s name means?

		   c. If you do, how does this meaning include all of us?

		   d. What did Luke want him to know?  Verse 4.

		   e. What was Luke’s background?  Colossians 4:10-15.

		   f.  With whom did Luke travel?  Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-15.

		   g. What other book in our Bible did Luke write...did he sign this one?

		   h. Why do you think he didn't sign either one? 

		   i. Since Luke never met Jesus while He was on earth in bodily form, how can we trust Luke’s 
		       accuracy?  (There are at least three reasons.)

		2.a. What is the first event that Dr. Luke writes about?  Why do you think God wanted this 
		       particular birth to be unusual?  Luke 1:5.

		   b. What problem did Zacharias and Elizabeth have in their marriage?  

		   c. Can you think of other biblical parents who had the same problem?

		   d. When the Lord names a child, greatness usually follows.  See Genesis 17:19 ___________
		       I Kings 13:2_____________Luke 1:13______________Isaiah 7:14__________________
		       Isaiah 44:28_____________.

		3.a. Zacharias and Elizabeth were both righteous before God (verse 6.)  Why were they called 
		       righteous?

		   b. Do you have this same standing before God?  Why or why not  See II Corinthians 5:21.

		4.a. What was Zacharias’ job in the temple that particular afternoon?

		   b. What did the altar represent?  See Exodus 30:1-10........and the incense?

		5.a. What significance is there in the fact that God speaks to His people when they are at work or busy?

		   b. What method did God use to speak to Zacharias?

		   c. What other method has God used in the following instances?

		       1.  Abraham...Genesis 12:1-4.
		       2. Jacob...Genesis 28:10-22.
		       3. A baker and a butler...Genesis 40:5.
		       4. Pharaoh...Genesis 41:1-16.
		       5. Moses...Exodus 3:2-6.
		       6. Children of Israel...Exodus 13:22.
		       7. Balaam...Numbers 22:21-35.
		       8. Balshazzzar...Daniel 5:1-13.
		       9. Jonah...Jonah 1:17; Jonah 2:10.
		     10. Jesus’baptism...Matthew 3:13-17.
		     11. Paul...Acts 9:3-5.
		     12. Paul...Acts 18:9.
		     13. And today?

		   d. Which is  more important,  how God communicated or that He had spoken?  Explain.

		6.a. What was Zacharias’ reaction when he saw the angel?  Luke 1:12.

		   b. Is this the common reaction to angels in scripture?  Give scriptural references to backup your answer.

		7.a. What was the angel’s announcement to Zacharias?

		   b. What offended the angel?  Verses 18-20.

		   c. Why was this such a big mistake on Zacharias’ part?

		   d. What were the consequences of Zacharias’ unbelief?

Think about	  e. Have you ever ignored or doubted God’s promises to you?

		8.a. Name some other doubters from scripture.
		       Genesis 17:17					Exodus 16:1-3.

		       Genesis 18:12					Judges 6:13-15.

		       Exodus 3:10, 11					John 20:24, 25.

		   b. What do you do with your doubts?  What should you do?

		9.a. What message did Gabriel have for Mary?  Luke 1:26-38.

		   b. What is the difference between Zacharias’ question, “How shall I know this?” and Mary’s, “How can
		       this be since I do not know a man?”

		   c. What was Mary’s final response in verse 38 and what does this tell us about her spiritual life?

Think about	   d. Could this be said of you?