These questions are used for personal contemplation or to discuss with a friend/spouse/small group.

• Consider the significance of Gabriel’s message that Jesus will reign over an eternal kingdom. How does this promise influence your understanding of God’s sovereignty and purpose in your life today?
• Are there any songs that come to mind that express the themes of faith and obedience in a meaningful way to you? Take some time to listen to that song and share it with a friend.
• Why do you think it’s significant that the birth announcement of the Messiah came to a young girl in an obscure area?
• How was the betrothal process similar to the experience of the church right now?
• What character qualities did young Mary display that we would want to emulate, no matter what age we are?
• What would be the personal cost to Mary as a result of the call to be the mother of the Messiah?
• God looks at the heart posture- how does God respond to those who are available to him? In what ways are you offering yourself or your gifts to him?
• In what ways was Mary favored? In what ways have you been favored (or received grace)?

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with hearts full of gratitude, reflecting on the beautiful moment when You sent the angel Gabriel to Mary in Nazareth.

How incredible it is that in Your perfect timing, You chose a young woman to be the bearer of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Lord, we marvel at Mary’s willingness to embrace Your plan, even when it was beyond her understanding.

Help us, O God, to respond with the same courage and faith when You call us to follow You.

Teach us to say, “Let it be to me according to Your word,” trusting that Your ways are higher than our ways.

As Your Spirit overshadowed Mary, may Your Holy Spirit fill our lives, guiding us in truth and empowering us to share Your love with those around us.

Remind us that, just as You chose an ordinary woman for an extraordinary purpose, You have a divine purpose for each of us.

We rejoice in the promise that through Jesus, born of Mary, You established a kingdom that knows no end.

We thank You that He will sit on the throne of David, reigning in power and glory for all eternity.

May this promise fill our hearts with hope and joy, knowing that Your kingdom is advancing even in our midst.

May we carry the light of Christ into the world, proclaiming the good news of salvation and the coming of His eternal kingdom.

Help us to be vessels of Your grace and mercy, showing compassion and love to those in need.

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of Jesus, who came to bring us hope and redemption.

As we await His return, may our hearts remain open to Your leading and our lives reflect Your glory.

In Jesus’ name, we pray,

Amen.

This is only a set of ideas. Overlay these ideas with the knowledge and experience you have of your specific family.

Read Together: Start by reading Luke 1:26-33 aloud as a family. You can use a children’s Bible or take turns reading sections. For really young ones, it may be better to read a smaller section or even just one verse.

Kickoff Question:

• "What do you think it would be like to have an angel show up and share a message from God?"

Discussion Starters for All Ages:

• For Younger Kids (Ages 4-7):
• “Who did the angel visit in this story, and what did he say to her?”
• “How do you think Mary felt when the angel told her she was chosen by God?”
• For Middle Kids (Ages 8-11):
• “Gabriel tells Mary that her child will be a king whose kingdom will never end. What do you think that means?”
• “Mary was confused but still listened. Why is it sometimes hard to trust even when we don’t understand?”
• For Older Kids and Teens (Ages 12+):
• “Mary was given a big responsibility. What qualities do you think she had that made God choose her?”
• “The angel tells Mary, ‘The Lord is with you.’ Why do you think Gabriel starts with that message, and how might it help Mary in what’s ahead?”

Closing Thought:

• God shows Himself as one who asks big things of those He calls to Himself. Is that nerve racking to think? What does God give alongside of this high calling? (His Spirit, His power, His presence, His Word, His equipping, His body (church), His grace and forgiveness....etc)

Example Prayer:

Dear God,

Thank You for sending Your angel Gabriel to tell Mary the amazing news.

It’s so cool that You chose her to be the mother of Jesus!

Even though she didn’t understand everything, she trusted You and said “yes” to Your plan.

Thank You for sending Jesus to us, who is our King forever.

Help us to remember that He loves us so much and will always be with us.

Just like Mary, help us to trust You, even when things seem hard or confusing.

Please fill us with Your love and courage so we can tell others about Jesus and share His kindness with everyone around us.

We want to follow You and be part of Your forever kingdom.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.