Down To Earth: Zechariah

“Down to Earth”
Advent Series, Life Group Questions
Lombard Bible Church

Profile of Zacharias (Luke 1:5-23, 57-79)

1. How would you describe the person and character of Zacharias? See Luke 1: 5-7, 8-11, 12-13, 18, 22-23, 62-64.
2. In Luke one, what is the role of John the Baptist? See Luke 1: 13-17, 66, 76-77, 80.
3. What is the role of Jesus Messiah? See Luke 1: 31-33, 35, 78-79.
4. In chapter one, what is the repeated pattern in each of the following sets of verses?
5. 10, 13, 46; b. 15, 35, 41, 67; c. 16-17, 19, 50-55, 68-79; d. 13-14, 20, 22, 32-33, 37, 41, 44, 64-65; and e. 11, 13, 18-19, 26, 30, 35.
6. What is Luke saying to his original audience in the repeated pattern below?

Elizabeth (41-42); Mary (35, 46); and Zacharias (67-68).

6. Fill in the spaces of the following theological summary of chapter one:

“When God’s people p__________ he guides them, and fills them with his S__________ giving them w_________ to speak declaring that the s__________ of God has come through K_________ Jesus bringing his k__________ to earth.”

7. How would you define Luke’s understanding of “salvation” according to the prophecy of Zacharias (Benedictus) in Luke 1:77-79?
8. In Luke 1:77-79, what is Luke’s theological purpose in his gospel (volume 1) and Acts (volume 2) according to the repeated words below when compared and contrasted to the use of the same words in the other three gospels?
9. “Salvation”: Matthew (13x; i.e. in Matthew’s gospel, the author uses the word “salvation” 13 times); Mark (10x); John (7x); Luke (23x); and Acts (18x).
10. “Forgiveness”: Matthew (14x); Mark (10x); John (0x); Luke (8x); and Acts (11x).
11. “Peace”: Matthew (4x); Mark (1x); John (5x); Luke (14x); and Acts (4x).
12. How does Luke want the original audience to respond to his theological message in chapter one?
13. How should we respond to the theological message of Luke chapter one?

Robert L. Gallagher
November 28, 2020