Summary: “What If…?” [Find Your Place] Text: Luke 1:26-38; Acts 9:10-19 January 12/13, 2013 Pastor Matt Erickson “I am the Lord’s servant” Mary answered. “May Your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38) “The Lord called to him in a vision, ‘Ananias!’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he answered.” (Acts 9:10) Two Towering Figures of the New Testament: Jesus and Paul Their life, mission, and legacy Two Servants of God: Mary and Ananias Hearing God’s invitation (Luke 1:28; Acts 9:10) Seeing God’s purposes for us…and others (Luke 1:29-33; Acts 9:11-12, 15-16) Asking our questions about God’s call (Luke 1:34) Facing our fears about God’s call (Acts 9:13-14) Submitting as servants of God (Luke 1:38) Moving forward in response to God’s call (Acts 9:17-18) What if…? Discussion Questions: What person has most impacted your growth with Christ, and what was it about them that made such an impact on you? We continue our look at the theme of finding your place in the church through service this week by looking at two people in the New Testament: Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Ananias, a disciple from Damascus. As you prepare for study, take a moment to ask God to speak to you and then read the following two Scripture passages out loud: Luke 1:26-38 and Acts 9:1-19. Begin your study of these two passages by stating what the calling of God was both on Mary and Ananias. How did Mary and Ananias respond to God? What questions of God, concerns, or areas of resistance did Mary or Ananias have to God’s call in each situation? There are two aspects of God’s calling in these situations. The first, which we already discussed, is the calling on Mary and Ananias. The second aspect is God’s purpose for others through the obedience of Mary and Ananias. How would you describe God’s larger purposes which both Mary and Ananias are invited to participate in through their obedience? Mary’s statement in Luke 1:38 is a paradigm for Christian service and obedience to God. How ready and willing are you to respond to God like Mary does here? What excites you about serving God like Mary? What fears do you have about serving God like Mary? What is one specific thing that God is speaking to you from this study? How will you respond to God in obedient service? How might you step forward to serve at Eastbrook Church? Write some of these things down. If you are in a small group, discuss this together. Next week we will return to the Gospel of Mark by looking at Jesus’ entry into the Temple in Mark 11:12-25. To prepare for next week’s message, please read that Scripture passage ahead of time.
