Advent 1: Elizabeth

12/01/24 • 28 min

Today, Sarah Lyew helps us start the Advent season by sharing about the hope in the disappointment found in the story of Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist. Please excuse the brief moment at 19:38 where the mic cuts out. Don't panic! Sarah returns 10 seconds later.
Please find the slide deck for this week's teaching here.
Home Church Questions:
1. What’s the most disappointing meal or trip you’ve had?
2. What stood out to you from Sunday's teaching?
3. Read Luke 1:5-28, 24-25, 39-45. What stands out to you from this passage?
4. Can you identify other stories from the Bible that are similar to this story?
5. Reread verse 6 (if possible, in a few different translations). What do you think Elizabeth was like to sit down with?
6. Often barrenness carried a lot of shame with it, especially for the woman. How do you think this may have affected how people saw her? How she saw herself?
7. How could not only becoming pregnant but becoming pregnant in a way similar to stories like Sarah's and Hannah's have impacted Elizabeth?
8. Have you had a bonding experience like Elizabeth and Mary? What was the impact for you?
9. Pray for and with one another.

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Instagram: @theharbournewmarket
Website: theharbournewmarket.ca
Email: [email protected]

Be in touch. Send us a text here.

Instagram: @theharbournewmarket
Website: theharbournewmarket.ca
Email: [email protected]

Previous Episode

Mark 9

This morning, Sarah Lyew concludes (for now) our series on the Gospel of Mark by taking a look at the account of Jesus's transfiguration. This event obviously has much to say about Jesus's divinity, but what we can learn about his humanity through this story?
Please find the slide deck for this week's teaching here.
Just a quick programming note: we will begin our Advent series next week and for the month of December. Following the holidays, we will be taking a look at the book of Proverbs while reading through each chapter, one per day during January, as a community. We will come back to the remaining chapters of the Gospel of Mark during Lent and concluding on Easter weekend.
Home Church Questions:
1. Who is someone in your life that is your “cheerleader” or who helps you gather courage?
2. Read Mark 9:2-13. What stands out to you from this passage? Is there a word or phrase that stands out?
3. If you had heard this story before, what was your impression of it then? Was there anything new in rereading it now or in what Sarah shared?
4. Sarah talked about the mountains where Moses and Elijah both met God when they were stepping into a new season. She pointed to this perhaps being a similar experience for Jesus. How does it change the story for you that this was a moment of not only Jesus’s divinity but also his humanity?
5. Have you ever had a mountain moment of your own, where you were in a trying season and God met you? If you’re comfortable, please share with the group.
6. Think of your “gather courage” moments. Who stepped into that moment with you? What helped?
This week, take time to reflect on what it takes to be more vulnerable in your relationship with Jesus. Does that feel easy or a bit overwhelming? What about with your inner circle?
Is there someone in your life who you notice may need a “courage encouragement”? What does it look like for you to come alongside them to be their encouragement?

Be in touch. Send us a text here.

Instagram: @theharbournewmarket
Website: theharbournewmarket.ca
Email: [email protected]

Next Episode

Advent 2: Zechariah

This morning, Dave Blow considers the story of Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, and the hope that can be found within our doubt. This builds upon the story of Elizabeth from last week. Please excuse the brief moments at 5:39 and 26:01 where the mic cuts out temporarily. Don't panic! Dave returns shortly. We apprecaite your patience with us as we figure everything out.
Please find the slide deck for this week's teaching here.
Home Church Questions:
1. Thinking back, what is a Christmas memory where you found it just so hard to wait? Was there a special present that you just had to have?
2. What stood out to you from Sunday's teaching?
3. Read Luke 1:5-25. What stands out to you from this passage?

4. Was there a time on your personal journey that you really needed to hear from God? Did it happen? How did it impact your faith journey?
5. As a community of faith, we sometimes choose not to believe in God's promises or, at least, to be skeptical about them. Did any of the potential reasons for our unbelief resonate with you? (eg, the preacher DB often likes to run ahead of God thinking he can figure life out on his own. Sometimes he hears God Say ”How’s that working for you?”)
6. Can we balance the act of placing our order with God to achieve a desired outcome with the concept that we belong to God and that he wants the best for his children?
7. Please take a moment to pray for our community and each other. I sometimes feel overwhelmed when I open my emails each morning and see the need around us. I know that God is bigger than all of this. Let’s claim this together as a community of faith.

Be in touch. Send us a text here.

Instagram: @theharbournewmarket
Website: theharbournewmarket.ca
Email: [email protected]