Through the Bible Series Notes. Luke Section 1

This first unit covers the predictions and births of John the Baptist and Jesus with an added account

This first unit covers the predictions and births of John the Baptist and Jesus with an added account incident in Jesus’ youth.  There are some interesting things to ponder before we go further.
Each of the Gospels present us with a “portrait” of Jesus from a different point of view.  So it is good to compare common material and references between the Gospels.
In all the Gospels, John the Baptist is present at the beginning of Jesus’s ministry.  However, Luke takes care to relate the announcement and birth of John.  He also establishes the familial relationship of Jesus and John, (i.e.: Mary and Elizabeth are cousins).  Can you see the similarities between the two narratives?

1. Both were preannounced (Luke 1:13-17; Luke 1:31-35).
   
2. Both conceptions were unusual (i.e. Elizabeth was barren and of advanced age [Luke 1:7] and Mary was a virgin [Luke 11:34]).
   
3. Both birth had unusual occurrences, (Luke 1;59-64 for John and Luke 2:8-18 for Jesus), that caused amazement (See Luke 1:65-66 and Luke 2:17-18)
   

Note and discuss the differences.
How can Mary and her reply to the angel related to us and our walk?
    Note: Her surrender to God’s will knowing full well the dangers involved.
How did Elizabeth greet Mary when she can to visit? (Luke 1:42-45)
Mary’s answering prayer mirrored the prayer of another mother. (Samuel 2:1-10)
NOTE: John was just six months older that Jesus.
NOTE: The birth of Jesus occurred in the spring or early summer.  The fact that the shepherds were in the fields with their flocks indicated that the weather was moderate.  In winter, shepherds herd their sheep into pens or caves so that they might benefit from group body warmth.  Also, with the sheep out in the fields, Mary need not fear that animals would be trying to feed when she laid Jesus in the manger (i.e. their feeding trough).
What did the angels announce to the shepherds? (Luke 2;10-12)
    NOTE: Three term are used: Savior, Messiah and Lord.   Possible definition and discussion.
We have read about three angelic messengers so far: one to Zechariah, one to Mary and one (or more to the shepherds.  In each the first words spoken by the angel(s) are “fear not”.  Why? (Look up the description of various angel in the following: Isaiah 6:2; Ezekiel 1:5-11; Revelation 4:6b-8)  What reaction would you think appropriate?
Jesus is circumcised according to the law.
Verse 2:22 mentions purification.  Who is being purified? (Mary: See Lev 12:6,8)
At the purification, who blessed and prophesied over Jesus? (Luke 2:25-35)
What do you think was meant by the Simeon’s prophecy in verses 34-35?
Who else testified about Jesus? (Luke 2:36-38)
Jesus as a boy in the Temple.
How do Mary’s definition of Father and Jesus’s definition differ? (Luke 2;48-50)
What was Jesus’s age when this occurred?
What further information is recorded for Jesus between this incident and the start of His ministry?