Advent 2: Zechariah
12/08/24 • 29 min
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]
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]
Previous Episode
Advent 1: Elizabeth
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.
Be in touch. Send us a text here.
Instagram: @theharbournewmarket
Website: theharbournewmarket.ca
Email: [email protected]
Next Episode
Advent 3: Mary
Today we welcome the senior pastor of the Be In Christ Church Collective, Judith McCartney, as she shares on Mary's hope in the unexpected. You may notice that the first part of the recording has little to do with Mary. That's alright! Judith begins the formal part of her teaching at around the 9:00 mark. Prior to that point, she has some kind words of affirmation for our community, many of which in reference to Dennis's announcement regarding the Start-Up Campaign (which he offered prior to the beginning of the recording).
Please find the slide deck for this week's teaching here.
Home Church Questions:
1. What is a situation that you found yourself in that was unexpected?
2. Read Luke 1:26-38, 46-56. What stands out to you from this passage?
3. Where do you most see yourself in Mary's story? Do you empathize most with Mary's vulnerability? With Joseph's awkward situation? With the parents' sense of scandal? With the community members who might judge and ostracize Mary?
4. Judith mentioned ways that Mary responded to her situation that can be a model for us and the way that we respond to situations in our own lives. What inspiration do you draw from Mary, the mother of Christ?
5. Take time to pray with and for one another.
Be in touch. Send us a text here.
Instagram: @theharbournewmarket
Website: theharbournewmarket.ca
Email: [email protected]
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