Read Luke 1:5-25
JUST THE FACTS
1. Who was Zechariah? What was his wife's name? (v.5)
2. Who visited Zechariah in the temple? What was the message? (vv. 11-17)
3. What happened to Zechariah? Why? (v.20)
LET'S TALK
1. Was Zechariah's inability to speak a punishment or a blessing? Explain.
2. In what way would John "go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah" (v.17)? Why did the angel compare John to the Old Testament prophet?
WHY THIS MATTERS
God kept the promise he had made to his people through the prophet Isaiah. John was a "voice of one calling: 'In the desert prepare the way for the Lord'" (Isaiah 40:3). John preached repentance so the people could accept the Good News of Jesus.
POINTS OF INTEREST
1:5 Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were Levites and descendants of Aaron. Only men from the family line of Aaron could be priests. Groups of priests rotated serving in the temple. They presented sacrifices and offerings to God, taught and carried out God's laws for worship, maintained the temple, lit lamps and burned incense, and talked to God on behalf of the people of Israel. Zechariah was on duty and serving as priest when the angel came to him in the temple
JUST THE FACTS
1. Who was Zechariah? What was his wife's name? (v.5)
2. Who visited Zechariah in the temple? What was the message? (vv. 11-17)
3. What happened to Zechariah? Why? (v.20)
LET'S TALK
1. Was Zechariah's inability to speak a punishment or a blessing? Explain.
2. In what way would John "go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah" (v.17)? Why did the angel compare John to the Old Testament prophet?
WHY THIS MATTERS
God kept the promise he had made to his people through the prophet Isaiah. John was a "voice of one calling: 'In the desert prepare the way for the Lord'" (Isaiah 40:3). John preached repentance so the people could accept the Good News of Jesus.
POINTS OF INTEREST
1:5 Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were Levites and descendants of Aaron. Only men from the family line of Aaron could be priests. Groups of priests rotated serving in the temple. They presented sacrifices and offerings to God, taught and carried out God's laws for worship, maintained the temple, lit lamps and burned incense, and talked to God on behalf of the people of Israel. Zechariah was on duty and serving as priest when the angel came to him in the temple