Fruits of the Spirit

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

grace PEACE faith

1.GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTION:
On a scale of 1-10 (1 = equal very peaceful; 10 = very anxious),
how would you rate your life?


2. PASSAGE: LUKE 1:39-56

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end." 34 "How will this be, Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin?" 35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail." 38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled." Then the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" 44 "As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"

Mary’s Song 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors." 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home

3.You are a single, but betrothed virgin in Mary's time. How would you react to this"good news"?

4. From Mary's immediate response, what do you think about Mary's knowledge of God?

5. Elizabeth and her baby respond with joy and reveal great understanding. Their source was, ___________________________.

6. Mary's Song, her thoughtful response to her situation reveal she knew scripture well. Do you think she understood all of prophesy about the Messiah?

PERSPECTIVE

Is 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and call His name Immanuel (God with us).

Psalm 9:1-2 Messiah will be born in region of Galilee

Is 52:13 – 53:12 The Sin bearing Servant

2 Cor 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us

Ro 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.

Jn 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

7. Mary and Elizabeth knew God was a promise keeper.

We know from the promises were kept (example: Christ's hands and feet would be pierced – Ps 22:16 and fulfilled in Jn 20:25,27).

Christ promised to return after His death, Jn 16:16-22.

He kept the promise. Our response–NOW?

8. Define Peace:

CHALLENGE: Psalm 16:9-10 ... You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption

Visualize daily: pirate ship, walking plank, crocodile, Jesus flies in...
Jesus gets in your place.....

Live this week focused on the big picture, ignore the small "stuff"

Lent is a time to reflect, repent, renew and reconcile with God and our brothers.


NEXT WEEK: PATIENCE Matthew 4:1-11