Monday, 9 November 2009

A New Hope...

Week 21: Discovering the Character of God through Zechariah

21.1 We left the Old Testament seeing God really showing His heart to Israel; that He loved them, wanted to be a husband to them and was jealous for them. Of course, we know from our earlier studies that Israel didn't really listen and ended up getting invaded and captured by Assyria. Not long after, Judah went down the same road away from God and were eventually invaded and captured by Babylon. As we learned in our study of Jeremiah, Judah was captive for seventy years before they were allowed to return to their land.

Our study of Ezra and Nehemiah showed that the Israelites did return and they began to rebuild their city, their homes and their lives. For a while, things went okay but, as time passed, the Israelites began to slip back into their old ways and, if anything, they got worse. Divorce, adultery and abuse of the poor were prevalent and, to cap it all off, the people abandoned their faith; going through the 'religious' motionsof worship instead of sincerely following the Lord.

The New Testament is the 'What Happens Next' part of history; but first, there were 400 years where God remained silent.
  • Invite the group to share their thoughts on what it must have been like; suddenly seeming like God was no longer answering or even hearing their prayers.
  • Discuss as a group what it might be like to be the first person God speaks to when He breaks His silence. How might we feel? What would we think?

21.2 Read Luke 1:5-17 to see the moment where God breaks His silence, who it was he spoke to and what He had to say. Invite the group to discuss why they think God chose Zechariah and, more importantly, the message the angel brought (hope/new beginnings/joy/peace/reconciliation etc).

21.3 Read Luke 1:18-23 and discuss Zechariah's response and the consequences it brings. Compare this passage with Genesis 18:9-16. Invite the group to share their thoughts on why the Lord treated the two situations so differently (for Abraham and Sarah, a rebuke; for Zechariah, the loss of speech and, most likely, hearing).
  • Can they put themselves in Zechariah's shoes? Elizabeth's? The crowd's?
  • Who would they most identify with in this scene?

21.4 At the end of this chapter, we see just what happens to Zechariah. Read Luke 1:57-66. Already, we're seeing a God who has not changed from what we saw of Him in the Old Testament: He still keeps his promises and carries out his warnings. Do the group have any thoughts on this passage (especially verses 63-64)? The very moment Zechariah gets his speech back, he worships God. this has a knock-on effect on the people around him.

God is laying foundations for what is to come; softening and preparing the Jews for the gospel. It's a wake up call for the Jews: although God hadn't said much for a while, He never abandoned them... nor did He intend to, as Zechariah went on to foretell.

21.5 Read Luke 1:67-79 and summarise the message that God spoke through Zechariah to John: everything the Lord has promised during the previous millennia was about to come true and this child, John, would herald it in.
  • As a group, reflect on this and see if we can find anything new of God's character here.
  • How can we be encouraged by Zechariah's prophecy?


Week 21: Summary
The New Testament takes us on a new journey. No longer were the Israelites to struggle to earn God's favour, for He was about to give them the most incredible gift and it all begins here. One man's unbelief reminds a nation that God has not forsaken them but rather is at work in powerful, mysterious ways. God's character is clearly evident in the little glimpse we have into Zechariah's life:
  • He gives us new beginnings
  • He restores us
  • He hears us
  • He never abandons us
  • He reconciles us to Him
...to name but a few!

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