Main Thought
What do you do when you try an amazing new dish or restaurant? A lot of us share our experience with friends; in person, through text, or on social media. Experiencing Jesus is very similar. The name Jesus is translated from the Hebrew Yeshua, or Yehoshua, which means “God saves” or “God’s salvation.” We experience God’s salvation because of His grace. It’s extended to us freely, even though we could never earn it. Experiencing this great gift moves us to share it with others. God promises to empower us as we do so. He wants to do amazing things in us and through us that we could never do on our own.
Main Passages
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And 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 call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.
- Luke 1:26–35
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
- Psalm 90:17
Discussion Questions
Has God saved you? What has God saved you from?
What’s one aspect of your life that reveals God’s grace working in you or around you?
What’s one thing you’d like to believe God to do through your life? Share with your group, and ask God to empower you in your personal prayer time.
Main Thought
What’s one good thing God has done for you? What’s one good thing you can do for someone else?