1. Bow your will to His

Luke 1:38 NKJV

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Matthew 6:10

Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…

“What are you trying to control that God wants you to surrender?”  -Craig Groeschel

What is currently holding you back from complete surrender?

2. Believe for more

Luke 1:45 NLT

You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

Luke 1:18

Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”

Luke 1:20

But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

Luke 1:34

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

Luke 1:37 NKJV

For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Where is God challenging you to stretch your faith and trust Him in something beyond your ability?

3. Pursue new perspective people

Luke 1:39-41 NLT

A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:42-44

Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

Are you purposefully building community for spiritual growth and encouragement?

4. Praise from hope!

Luke 1:46-49

Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.

Are you able to enter hope-filled praise in the midst of difficult circumstances?

Discussion/reflection questions:

1. What is currently holding you back from complete surrender?

2. Where is God challenging you to stretch your faith and trust Him in something beyond your ability?

3. Are you purposefully building community for spiritual growth and encouragement?

4. Do you have people in your life that help you see life through an alternate perspective?

5. Are you able to enter hope-filled praise in the midst of difficult circumstances?