Week 3- Day 3 JOY

Inductive Bible Study: Luke 1:39-56

The best way to read the Bible inductively is to have a printout of the scripture or a printed Bible in front of you. Grab one and follow the prompts below. Feel free to journal in a notebook.

READ & OBSERVE

Read through Luke 1:39-56 and keep it nearby for reference. 

List some initial observations and questions that arise: 

READ IN CONTEXT

Luke 1 and 2 have many verses that are similar, opposite, or parallel to one another in phrasing or meaning. Skim through Luke 1 and 2 and make note of these by circling and connecting with arrows. 

DEEPER QUESTIONS 

A beautiful moment happens at the first reunion of Mary and Elizabeth: even in the womb, John recognizes who Jesus is. And because of John’s reaction, Elizabeth also recognizes that this baby in Mary is very important. Elizabeth was not flummoxed by Mary’s pregnancy- it did not bother her that Mary was pregnant before marriage. She overlooked that cultural taboo and saw straight to the heart of the message: the Lord was here. What does Elizabeth do and say when she greets Mary? 

Mary’s song- sometimes called the Magnificat- is Mary’s poetic and worshipful response to this whole situation. Take a deeper look. How is God described here? What does Mary say that God has done?