Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Zechariah Prophesies About His Son, John Lesson 3

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. It’s a Miracle! In what sense is every birth a “miracle”? iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. It’s a Miracle! In what sense is such a marvelous event NOT a miracle? iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. It’s a Miracle! In what sense is such a marvelous event NOT a miracle? The laws of human conception and birth, as put in place by God at creation, are “natural” laws, what is to be expected in given circumstance.

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. It’s a Miracle! But at times, God has intervened, when His laws of science and life did not allow His eternal scheme of redemption to move forward. Such interventions are truly miracles. Look at each of the following texts to see such interventions.

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. It’s a Miracle! Genesis 16:1a; 18:11; 21:1, 2 Genesis 29:31b; 30:22, 23 1 Samuel 1:1, 2, 5, 19, 20 Luke 1:5, 7, 13, 24, 57

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. It’s a Miracle! Genesis 16:1a; 18:11; 21:1, 2 Genesis 29:31b; 30:22, 23 1 Samuel 1:1, 2, 5, 19, 20 Luke 1:5, 7, 13, 24, 57 Abraham and Sarah’s miracle child, Isaac

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. It’s a Miracle! Genesis 16:1a; 18:11; 21:1, 2 Genesis 29:31b; 30:22, 23 1 Samuel 1:1, 2, 5, 19, 20 Luke 1:5, 7, 13, 24, 57 Abraham and Sarah’s miracle child, Isaac Jacob and Rachel’s miracle child, Joseph

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. It’s a Miracle! Genesis 16:1a; 18:11; 21:1, 2 Genesis 29:31b; 30:22, 23 1 Samuel 1:1, 2, 5, 19, 20 Luke 1:5, 7, 13, 24, 57 Abraham and Sarah’s miracle child, Isaac Jacob and Rachel’s miracle child, Joseph Elkanah and Hannah’s miracle child, Samuel

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. It’s a Miracle! Genesis 16:1a; 18:11; 21:1, 2 Genesis 29:31b; 30:22, 23 1 Samuel 1:1, 2, 5, 19, 20 Luke 1:5, 7, 13, 24, 57 Abraham and Sarah’s miracle child, Isaac Jacob and Rachel’s miracle child, Joseph Elkanah and Hannah’s miracle child, Samuel Zechariah and Elizabeth’s miracle child, John the Baptist

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Lesson Outline Introduction A. The Prediction Business B. Lesson Background

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Lesson Outline I. Promise Fulfilled (Luke 1:57, 58) A. John’s Birth (v. 57) B. People’s Joy (v. 58)

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. What Do You Think? What was an occasion when family and friends rejoiced with you over an answer to a prayer that was a long time in coming? How can you use such occasions to witness for Christ? iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. What Do You Think? Answer to a prayer that was a long time in coming Talking Points for Your Discussion For direction in life For a job For healing Other

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Lesson Outline II. Promises Reaffirmed (Luke 1:67-79) A. Holy Spirit Empowers (v. 67) B. God’s Promises Recalled (vv ) C. John’s Role Stated (vv )

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. What Do You Think? What are some ways you have found for praising or “blessing” God for His goodness to you? Which one seems most meaningful, and why?

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. What Do You Think? What are some ways you have found for praising or “blessing” God for His goodness to you? Which one seems most meaningful, and why? Talking Points for Your Discussion With words With music With actions Other

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. What Do You Think? What is the difference in your reactions to your physical enemies and to your spiritual enemies as led by Satan? In which area do you need the most improvement? Wavebreak Media/Thinkstock

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. What Do You Think? Reactions to physical enemies vs. reactions to spiritual enemies Talking Points for Your Discussion Reacting to physical enemies (Matthew 5:38-48; Luke 6:27-36) Reacting to spiritual enemies (Luke 4:3- 12; Ephesians 4:26, 27; 6:10-17; James 4:7)

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. What Do You Think? What was an occasion when God delivered you out of the hand of an enemy in a way you were not expecting? How has that experience enhanced your witness and praise?

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. What Do You Think? What was an occasion when God delivered you out of the hand of an enemy in a way you were not expecting? How has that experience enhanced your witness and praise? Talking Points for Your Discussion Regarding a spiritual enemy Regarding a physical enemy Regarding a combination of the two

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. What Do You Think? What will you do this week to shine Christ’s light into the life of someone who lives in spiritual darkness? iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. What Do You Think? What will you do this week to shine Christ’s light into the life of someone who lives in spiritual darkness? Talking Points for Your Discussion Personal testimony Deed of kindness Christlike lifestyle Other

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved.

Lesson Outline Conclusion A. A Joyful Song B. Prayer C. Thought to Remember

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Proud Father Proud fathers do a variety of things to let the world know they have a new son or daughter. What have you seen (heard) a father do?

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Proud Father What do you see (hear) the proud father of John the Baptist doing? © Standard Publishing

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Proud Father What do you see (hear) the proud father of John the Baptist doing? Assembled family and friends for the child’s circumcision and naming Announced the child’s name proudly and publicly © Standard Publishing

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Proud Father What do you see (hear) the proud father of John the Baptist doing? Praised God as the giver of the gift of this son Committed his son to the work of God and blessed him © Standard Publishing

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Filling John’s Sandals In today’s text John’s role is clearly defined: To go before the Lord to prepare His way, to make sure people know that salvation comes in Jesus, that forgiveness of sins is possible in Him. See verses 76, 77.

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Filling John’s Sandals Can you picture yourself in John’s sandals? © Standard Publishing

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Filling John’s Sandals What ways can you be Christ’s “forerunner” in each of the following opportunities? At work or in school In your home At your church’s assemblies In social occasions with unbelievers At an extended family gathering

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Filling John’s Sandals What ways can you be Christ’s “forerunner” in each of the following opportunities? In mission endeavors you support financially By participating in short-term mission trips At a class reunion In your prayer life

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Thought to Remember Live in the light.

Copyright © 2013 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. JESUS IS BORN Next Week’s Lesson