2021 Christmas (IV)

THE PROPHECY OF ZECHARIAH

Luke 1:67-80 (57-66)

Key Verse: 1:68

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.”

Open it:

1. Have you met anyone who predicts the future? What is your response to prophecy?

Explore it:

1. Read verses 67-68. Under what circumstances did Zechariah prophesy? (57-66) When Zechariah prophesied, for what did he praise God?

2. Read verses 69-71. To what does the “horn of salvation” refer? (69) (See Psalm 148:14; Dan 7:21; Hosea 5:8; Ex 27:2) Who do you think your greatest enemy is?

3. Read verses 72-75. How has the promise which God swore to Abraham become a great blessing to us? What does the horn of salvation do for us? (74,75) What do the phrases “serve him without fear” and “in holiness and righteousness” imply?

4. Read verses 76-77. What did Zechariah predict the future of his son? (76) What does verse 77 teach us about the knowledge of salvation?

5. Read verses 78-80. How does the rising sun dispel the darkness of the shadow of death from our hearts? (Jn 9:5) Think about the meaning of the phrase “the tender mercy of our God.”

Apply it:

1. In Zechariah's prophecy, what vision and hope do you find for yourself and your community?