Luke 1:57-80

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Birth of John the Baptist and Zechariah’s Prophecy

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The arrival of John the Baptist inspired great awe.

  2. The arrival of John the Baptist anticipated great blessing.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Have you seen the sunrise, or are you still in darkness?

  2. Let’s encourage our children to be strong in spirit.

QUESTIONS

  1. Why were Hebrew sons circumcised on the eighth day?

  2. What was unusual about the naming of this child?

  3. Why did the arrival of John the Baptist inspire great awe from the friends and neighbors?

  4. What are the lineages of John and Jesus?

ANSWERS

  1. Medical studies have shown that on the eighth day, clotting agents in the blood peak, so this is the ideal day in which to circumcise a male child. God incorporated into His Law many directives that we now know protected the people from disease and sickness.

  2. In that culture the first male child would usually be named after his father or another relative. Elizabeth wanted to name the child, John. Although Zacharias was deaf and dumb, he confirmed that the child would be named John, as the angel Gabriel had instructed him.

  3. Elizabeth gave birth in her old age, which would have been noteworthy. Also Zacharias’ affliction of deafness and dumbness must have inspired much curiosity.

  4. John the Baptist is the forerunner of the Messiah, from the priestly line of Levi, but the Messiah will be from the line of David of the tribe of Judah.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Discuss what you have learned about the Essenes, a sect within Judaism. Discuss the possible link to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. How does this relate to John the Baptist?

  2. John the Baptist was the forerunner of the Messiah, whose salvation would ultimately bring deliverance from all Israel’s enemies and bring holiness and righteousness to God’s people. When will this occur?

CHALLENGE

  1. As parents we often focus on the academic, physical, athletic, and social development of our children. But what about their spiritual development? Do you encourage your children to be strong in spirit?

KEY VERSES

  • “And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, ‘His name is John.’” Luke 1:63

  • “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways.” Luke 1:76

  • “So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.” Luke 1:80

Leviticus, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsLuke 1:57-80