And The Mute Will Sing!

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting July 2 to study Luke 1:57-80.  This was a lot of verses but not long ones.  There are several allusions to Psalms, and prophets in the wording, somewhat like Mary's song.

Read through the passage several times making notes on the various things that are interesting to you.  Look for things you might find strange to say at a 'baby shower'.  Jot down your insights and questions.  Then use any commentaries you have about you; study Bible notes, or whatever. 

After that, go back through the passage with the questions below:

• We noted last week that 6 months and 3 months meant Mary remained until 9, when John would be expected to be born.  Considering the wording of this section, do you think she was there with Elizabeth?  If so, why do you think she wasn't mentioned?
• Their relatives seem very involved with John's birth, celebrating with Zachariah and Elizabeth, why do you think they were so insistent to name him Zachariah?
• Finally Zachariah asks for something to write on, and the people are astonished he writes John.  Why do you think they were astonished at that name, or Zachariah's choice?
• What do you think it was about what Zachariah wrote that indicated he had 'learned his lesson' so to speak (and yes, that's a pun)?  What do you think he had not learned up to that point?  Or what do you think the timing was about?
• The first things out of Zachariah's mouth are praises.  His 'healing' affected everyone in the area around them.  So when do you think Zachariah says his prophesy over his son?
• There are a lot of common prophetic terms in Zachariah's 'song'; horn, visitation, redemption, salvation, and so on, but what do you see as his main theme in verses 68 through 75?
• From verse 76 on, he speaks to John.  This is more than Gabriel told him, so what has happened to Zachariah to reveal this to him?
• As John's father, what do you think Zachariah thinks of his own prophesy over his son?  What parts do you think he might, as a father, find troubling?
• Read verse 78 in as many translations as you have.  How do you imagine the sun rises from a height?  What does that even look like?  What do you think Zachariah is alluding to?
• Does John live with his parents, raised by them, or does he live in the wilderness, 'raised by wolves?'  What do you think verse 80 means for his childhood?

That should keep us busy for an hour or so.  Remember to bring your notes and questions to the group.

Magnificent Psalm of Mary

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting June 25 to study Luke 1:46-56.  This is a spontaneous poetic monologue attributed to Mary, named for the first word in it in the Latin Vulgate, Magnificat. 

This 'hymn' is filled with some interesting stuff; not the stuff of a teenage girl typically.  If it were truly spontaneous and/or truly something Mary said/wrote, we get a very intriguing look at her character, how she sees herself, and how she understands what's happening to her.

Read it slowly.  Find the parallel (repeated/contrasted) elements.  Look for themes, like the reversal of how things normally work in the world.  Try and come up with a central theme of this hymn.  See if there's one central point you see being made.

As always, jot down questions and interesting things you see.  Make notes, and only after that go to a commentary or two.  You can modify your questions from there, but don't dismiss them.  Commentaries never have all the answers.  Add notes and questions you have after reading commentaries.  After you have done all that, then go through the questions below:

• Notice that the verse divisions don't make a lot of sense throughout.  Why do you think that might be? (no wrong answer here, no one knows)
• Mary exalts and rejoices because all generations will call her blessed, and God's to blame.  What does that tell you about Mary's character?
• Mary refers to herself throughout as the Lord's maid-slave.  Consider what that means in that historical setting (maid-slave, see if you can find an article on it, like Blue Letter Bible site, in the ISBE).  Why do you think she sees herself that way?  What does that tell you about such a one being 'called blessed by all generations'?
• Mary lists lots of things God has done to 'bad people'.  How is what's happening to her God doing such things to such people?  Who do you think these 'people' might be?
• In several places, Mary uses contrasts.  Think about who is contrasted with whom.  How do you think she sees herself in those categories of people she uses?
• What makes Mary a slave, or poor, or humble, or hungry?  Why do you think she refers to herself this way?
• Christians interpret the "Servant Songs" of Isaiah as referring to Jesus.  Mary seems to tie them to Israel.  Who's right? (yep, look it up)
• Why do you think Mary stays with Elizabeth three months?
• What does Mary walk back into at home after that time?  What do you think of her courage?

That should be plenty for us.  Remember to bring your questions!