12 7 08 Responding in Humility 1 Motivate Share with the class a situation in which you received an unexpected gift or honor a trophy a picture of the event a certificate etc Ask class members to share some honor they received which was unexpected most faithful volunteer perfect attendance prettiest lawn favorite grandpa grandma How did you respond to these experiences surprised embarrassed honored Was it humbling unworthy 2 Transition Today we will consider two women who responded with humility they had unexpected experiences in their lives 3 Bible Study 3 1 God s Presence How you would act differently if you had a dinner with a king or a president different from the way you typically act around the dinner table at home more polite no complaining about what you were served sit up straight no slouching elbows off the table no blowing your nose on the napkin participate in polite conversation In this passage we look at Elizabeth s response to being in God s presence Listen for remarkable things that happened as Mary called her greeting to Elizabeth Luke 1 39 45 NIV At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea 40 where she entered Zechariah s home 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 In a loud voice she exclaimed Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear 43 But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears the baby in my womb leaped for joy 45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished What specific things happened as Mary called her greeting to Elizabeth Elizabeth s baby leaped in her womb Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 1 12 7 08 Responding in Humility Note that prior to the coming of the Holy Spirit to all believers God would fill certain people at particular times for particular purposes Under the influence of the Holy Spirit what did Elizabeth declare to Mary you are blessed among all women your child is blessed you are blessed for believing that what the Lord has said to you will be accomplished How did she indicate that she knew what her and Mary s pregnancies meant the kicking of her baby was significant in it s timing she refers to Mary as the mother of my Lord she recognizes the faith of Mary to trust God What significance do you think it had for Mary that Elizabeth knew the importance of Mary s baby reassurance this is not a dream nightmare this is real here s someone who understands here s someone who won t accuse me of infidelity Elizabeth declared Mary as blessed what do people mean today when they say Have a blessed day have a good day may blessings come your way it is similar to saying Have a nice day we are wishing the other person well In Jewish culture when a blessing was declared the giver was interceding with God on behalf of the one being blessed This is what Elizabeth was declaring Not only was Mary blessed she would be God s tool to bless others How do you think you would have felt and reacted to knowing that God was using you to bless the world unready Who me How could God use little old me scared this is a big responsibility there s lots of issues and implications in our personal plans here humbled in awe of the implications 2 12 7 08 Responding in Humility 3 2 God s Glorious Character Listen for attributes of God extolled in the first part of Mary s song Luke 1 46 49 NIV And Mary said My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant From now on all generations will call me blessed 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me holy is his name What specific actions did Mary say God had done for her He is mindful of my humble state caused me to be blessed done great things for me Mary s song of praise has many parallels to that of Hanna Samuel s mother when she became a mother What would be significant about Mary s use of Scripture in what she said she was familiar with it and used similar phrases it was important in her life it helped express her feelings What characteristics or attributes of God are praised by Mary He is Lord He is Savior omniscient mindful of my humble state omnipotent the Mighty One holy is His name How did Mary come to know God in this way again through her knowledge and understanding of Scripture through God s involvement in her life through a daily walk of faith and trust knowing God was a priority for her Based on both passages now what are some words that describe Mary s attitude humble thoughtful full of praise and worship for God excited with anticipation yet fearful at the same time Mary enumerated several reasons for praising God How does contemplating wonderful things God has done in your life in the past affect your attitude towards what He is doing in your life right now you need to remind yourself of His power and wisdom in previous situations you are then aware of how He is the same God and can work the same kind of miracle you get your focus off your problems instead you focus on who God is on His power in the current situation 3 12 7 08 Responding in Humility 3 3 Gods Involvement Listen for further characteristics of God in this portion of Mary s hymn Luke 1 50 56 NIV His mercy extends to those who fear him from generation to generation 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty 54 He has helped his servant Israel remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever even as he said to our fathers 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home Let s list the characteristics of God mentioned here some are repeated from earlier mercy mighty deeds omnipotence omniscience all knowing authority God does as God pleases to do provider judge According to Mary s song what kinds of people are given special treatment by God Let s separate that treatment into negative and positive treatment Negative Positive rulers those who fear God stand in awe and rich reverence those who are proud humble hungry Abraham s descendants Mary was inconvenienced by God …