1 - The Danger of a Detached Heart (Luke 1:1-25, 57-80 | Malachi 4:4-6)
/The Danger of a Detached Heart Luke 1:1-25, 57-80 | Malachi 4:4-6 The Lord wants you to be defined by your love for him.
I. The Angel’s Message (vv. 5-17)
A. A Modern Abraham and Sarah (vv. 5-7)
B. The Angel’s Visit (vv. 8-17)
II. Zechariah’s Doubt (vv. 18-25)
A. “How Shall I Know?” (v. 18; Genesis 15:6-8)
B. Filled with Doubt (vv. 18-25)
III. John’s Birth (vv. 57-80)
A. His Name is John (vv. 57-66; Malachi 4:5-6)
B. The Song of Zechariah (vv. 67-80)
C. Theophilus (vv. 1-4)
D. “How Shall I Know This?" (vv. 4, 18; Genesis 15:8)
Discussion Starters
1. Monday—What is a detached heart? Why are people tempted to pursue God from a safe distance?
2. Tuesday—What made it hard for Zechariah to trust the angel’s message? Are there times when it’s hard for you to hope? When things seem too good to believe?
3. Wednesday—Why did God strike Zechariah mute for nine months? Has the Lord ever brought you through a season of discipline? What was his goal?
4. Thursday—Why does Gabriel focus his quote of Malachi on turning the hearts of the fathers to their sons? Is he saying we don’t need to learn from our elders? What is he saying?
5. Friday—What does Theophilus mean? How does that name set the tone for the entire book of Luke? What is Luke’s end-goal in writing this book?