Search the Scriptures - Study 4 - Luke 1:57-80

Study 4 of "SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES" IS: 

Luke 1:57-80

The song of Zechariah may be divided thus: verse 58:80, thanks to God for the coming of the Messiah; verses 71-75, the purpose of the Messiah’s coming; verses 76-77, the mission of John; verses 78-79, further picture of the Messiah’s coming.

    1.      Trace in the song of Zechariah the successive stages in the unfolding of God’s plan of salvation through the Old Testament and up to the coming of the Messiah. How does it reveal the unity of the Old and New Testaments?

    2.      What, according to this song, is the purpose of salvation? Is this your experience?

Notes

1.        Verse 69. ‘A horn of salvation’: i.e., one who is strong to save. The horn of an animal was a common symbol of strength; cf Ps. 18:2

2.        Verse 80. ‘The wilderness’: the desolate region around the Jordan and the Dead Sea.

I have copied the Bible verses concerning this study, for your convenience.

Luke 1:57-80

John Is Born

57 Now the time [a]had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had [b]displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her.

59 And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, [c]after his father. 60 But his mother answered and said, “No indeed; but he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.”62 And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. 63 And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished. 64 And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God. 65 Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.

Zacharias’s Prophecy

67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,
69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of David His servant—
70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old—
71 [d]Salvation from our enemies,
And from the hand of all who hate us;
72 To show mercy toward our fathers,
And to remember His holy covenant,
73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,
74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.
76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways;
77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation
[e]By the forgiveness of their sins,
78 Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
79 To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

80 And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

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LESSON 3

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Search the Scriptures - Study 3 - Luke 1:39-56

Study 3 of "SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES IS: 

Luke 1:39-56

    1.      What does Mary’s song reveal of (a) the character of God (see especially verse 49, 50) and (b) His way of working among men (verses 51-53)? How were these facts demonstrated in the manner of the Saviour’s coming?

    2.      What features in Mary’s Character are revealed in this song? What may we learn from her example?

I have copied the Bible verses concerning this study, for your convenience.

Luke 1:39-56

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 Now [a]at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And [b]how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she who [c]believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her [d]by the Lord.”

The Magnificat

46 And Mary said:

“My soul [e]exalts the Lord,

47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

48 “For He has had regard for the humble state of His [f]bondslave;

For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.

49 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me;

And holy is His name.

50 “And His mercy is [g]upon generation after generation

Toward those who fear Him.

51 “He has done [h]mighty deeds with His arm;

He has scattered those who were proud in the [i]thoughts of their heart.

52 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones,

And has exalted those who were humble.

53 “He has filled the hungry with good things;

And sent away the rich empty-handed.

54 “He has given help to Israel His servant,

[j]In remembrance of His mercy,

55 As He spoke to our fathers,

To Abraham and his [k]descendants forever.”

56 And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.

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LESSON 2

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Search the Scriptures - Study 2 - Luke 1:26-38

Study 2-  Luke 1-26-38 from the book "SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES"

Study 2 of "SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES IS: 

Luke 1:26-38

       1.      Verses 31-33, 35. How many features of the person and mission of the promised child can be discerned in the words of the angel?

      2.      Contrast Mary’s reception of the Angel’s message with that of Zechariah (see previous study, Question 2). Cf. verse 45.  What did Mary’s response involve? Are you prepared similarly to ask the Lord to fulfill His word in you?

Note: Verse 31. ‘Jesus’ is the Greek form of Joshua, which means ‘God saves’. Cf. Mt. 1:21

I have copied the Bible verses concerning this study, for your convenience.

Luke 1:26-38

Jesus’ Birth Foretold

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin [a]engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the [b]descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was [c]Mary.28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, [d]favored one! The Lord [e]is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 

31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How[f]can this be, since I [g]am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the [h]holy Child shall be called the Son of God. 36 And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and [i]she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 37 For[j]nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, the[k]bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

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LESSON 1


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Search the Scriptures - Study 1 - Luke 1:1-25

Study 1-  Luke 1-1-25 from the book "SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES"

Study 1 of "SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES IS: 

1. What was the mission assigned to John the Baptist? What was to be the nature of his greatness (verse 15)? Cf. verses 76,77.

2. What was the cause of Zechariah's punishment (verse 20)? What made him hesitate to believe the angel's message? What similar temptations to unbelief  do you face? Why ought Zechariah to have believed, and why ought we to believe?

3. Verses 1-4. What do these verses tell us of (a) the sources of Luke's information, (b) the importance which he attached to giving a truthful record, and (c) his purpose in writing the Gospel?

Note. Verse 3. The title 'most excellent' suggests that Theophilus was a high official, probably not a Christian, but with some knowledge of an interest in Christianity.

JOIN ME IN STUDYING & MEDITATING ON THE WORD OF GOD! 

I have copied the Bible verses concerning the study, for your convenience.

 Luke 1-1-25

Introduction

1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things[a]accomplished among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning [b]were eyewitnesses and [c]servants of the [d]word, 3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having [e]investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been [f]taught.

Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named [g]Zacharias, of the division of [h]Abijah; and he had a wife [i]from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in [j]years.

8 Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. 11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear [k]gripped him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will [l]give him the name John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit [m]while yet in his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. 17 It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

18 Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in [n]years.” 19 The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who [o]stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

21 The people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept [p]making signs to them, and remained mute. 23 When the days of his priestly service were ended, he went back home.

24 After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she [q]kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying, 25 “This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men.”

Courtesy of: Bible Gateway

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Search The Scriptures - Alan Stibbs Editor

A Three-Year Daily Devotional Guide to the Whole Bible

Hello guys,

I have decided to study from the book “search the scriptures.”  It is a three year Bible Study course which apparently has been a blessing to everyone who has taken the time to finish it.  I first heard about the book through a great pastor that I admire and I listen to his sermons all the times.

I am looking for people interested in taking the journey with me. It is actually good for those of you who are busy and do not have much time, so by doing the book with me, you can focus on one chapter at the time.

This means the only posting that I will be doing (unless God says otherwise) will be solely what is written in the book, on a daily basis so we can follow together.

Check out GoodReads Reviews on this Timeless Bible Study

Search The Scriptures Alan Stibbs (Editor)

The study of God's Word is essential to spiritual growth. Still, a daily encounter with the Bible can be difficult to sustain. Search the Scriptures can support you in your discipline of daily Bible study. Using a question-and-answer approach, it helps you discover God's truth for yourself. Its built-in flexibility and clear presentation allow you to use its contents according to your own needs.

• section-by-section coverage of the entire Bible
• concise introductions to each book of the Bible as you meet it
• meaning and application for each daily passage

Search the Scriptures has been used and appreciated by many thousands of readers for over half a century. This new edition, based on the New International Version of the Bible, has been completely reset in a fresh, accessible format. With its daily support, your own search of the Scriptures can become a delight and a source of strength.

Read about the METHOD OF STUDY SUGGESTIONS 

PREFACE

The course of Bible reading was first issued in 1934 in response to a widespread demand from Christian students and others for a systematic plan which could be used daily. Its aim is to guide the reader through the whole Bible in three years of regular daily study.

The General Editor of the original edition was G.T. Mainley. In 1949 a new and revised course was prepared by H. W Oldham and others. The present fresh and thorough revision has been undertaken by a large team of helpers, each of whom has worked on an allotted section. These include G. L. Carey, D. Catchpole, M.J. Cole, J.C Connell, P. A. Crowe, A. E. Cundall, D. R. J. Evans, M. R. W. Farrere, P. K. Finnie, R. T. France, P. H. Hacking, A. R. Henderson, J. B. Job, Dr and Mrs A. Johnston, F. D. Kidner, G. E. Lane, Mrs. A. Metcalfe, H. Peskett, Mrs M. Roberts, Miss M. Sugden, J.B. Taylor, Miss R. E. Windtle, D. R. Wooldridge and D. F. Wright; with A. M. Stibbs acting as General Editor.

As G. T. Manley wrote of the compilers of the earlier editions all who have shared in preparing this revision ‘know well the difficulty of sustained Bible study, and how many a hindrance Satan will put in the way. But, they pray that the guidance here given may, by the grace of God, stimulate such taste for His Word as to make the time daily spent upon it a delight as well as a source of strength.’