MOMENTS THAT MATTER - Virgin Birth

SCRIPTURES
Romans 8:28 | And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Isaiah 7:14 | All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

Luke 1:26-38 | In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”  Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.” Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Matthew 1:18-23 | This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”


DISCUSSION

1. What foretelling does Isaiah 7:14 make? Who does God use to fulfill this prophecy (and as Jesus’ mother?)
2. Why does God choose Mary as Jesus’ mother?

• Mary was ready to be used by God because of the way she obeyed God (in her heart and in action — faith and works). Are you living ready to be used by God like  Mary was? Why or why not?
• When she received news of God’s plan, Mary is excited to obey God and be part of His plan. Would you have responded this same way? Why or why not?
• How was Mary’s whole life changed because of her choice to follow God’s plan (think of positive and negative ways)? What about your life?

3. Perhaps the most unique circumstance foretold about the promised savior is the virgin birth because apart from God, it is impossible.

• How have you experienced God in your own life in ways that were impossible apart from His power or doing?
• In what ways do you need God’s power in your life for a situation you’re facing right now that seems impossible apart from His power?