Children Bible Overview 104 03/05/09

THE LOWLY MARY WAS CHOSEN BY GOD TO GIVE BIRTH TO THE

SAVIOUR, LORD JESUS CHRIST

Teachers to read bible scripture: <Lk 1:26-56>

Children to memorize bible scripture: <Lk 1:76>

Recap
Children, last week, we saw how God caused the old and barren Elizabeth to be pregnant and she
subsequently gave birth to God’s last prophet, John. We are like John, born to prepare the way for the
Lord, Jesus.

Introduction
When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, the angel of the Lord, Gabriel was sent to a city called
Nazareth. The angel revealed himself to a virgin, Mary. Mary was already pledged to be married to a
man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The angel told Mary, “Mary, do not be afraid! You have
found favor with God. You will conceive by the Holy Spirit and give birth to a son whom you
will name Jesus. He is the Son of the Most High and is the eternal King of Israel. He will come to
save all of God’s people and build God’s eternal kingdom.” Mary immediately replied, “How will this
be since I am a virgin?” The angel said, “Even your relative, Elizabeth is going to have a child in her
old age and she is already pregnant for six months. For nothing is impossible with God.” Mary then
answered, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
Mary hence conceived by the Holy Spirit. She got ready and hurried to Elizabeth’s house. When
Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in Elizabeth’s womb. Elizabeth was filled with the
Holy Spirit and said, “Mary, blessed are you because the child you will bear is blessed! Blessed is
she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Mary then said,
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior for He has been mindful of the
humble state of His servant. From now on, all generations will call me blessed. His mercy extends to
those who fear Him, from generation to generation. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but
has lifted up the humble. The faithful God will surely help Israel forever.” [Children, today, we are
going to ponder over the words that God has given to Mary and Elizabeth through Gabriel, the angel.]

1. The angel, Gabriel said, “Mary, do not be afraid! You have found favor with God.
You will conceive by the Holy Spirit and give birth to a son whom you will name
Jesus.”
1) Through the angel Gabriel, God instructed Mary on what she had to do, which
seemed very difficult, and almost impossible but nothing is impossible with God.
2) God’s initial words were to tell Mary, “Do not be afraid! You have found favor with
God.” To us, it means that God has decided to love us and wants to bless us and use
us! Therefore, regardless of the difficulty, do not be afraid!
3) Thereafter, God told Mary His instructions, “You will conceive…” To us, it means that
God has some instructions for us and wants us to submit to Him. It could be that we
are not good in our studies but God continues to want us to be serious in our studies.
If we are selfish, God wants us to share what we have with other children. If we
dislike people, God wants us to love them etc.

2. Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”

1) Mary knew God. She knew that God loves her absolutely. Hence, the words spoken to
her by God were to bless her absolutely. Therefore, Mary submitted to God
completely.
2) Mary knew who she was. She said, “I am the Lord’s servant.” To us, it means that
when we know that we are God’s servants and are hence willing to submit to Him,
that will be our greatest joy. However, if we know that we are God’s servants but are
 unwilling to submit to Him, we will continue not to have peace and joy in our hearts.
[Therefore, children, are we God’s servants? Are we willing to submit to our Master’s
instructions in all things? ]
3) Mary highly regarded God’s words. She said, “May it be to me as you have said.” To
us, it means that when we highly regard God’s words, and treat what He told us as
important, we can then submit to the Lord completely. However, when we do not
treat God’s words as important and that they are not that relevant to us, we are not
able to submit to God. [Therefore, Children, when we attend Sunday school and
listen to the stories in the bible, do we hear God talking to us?]

3. Elizabeth said, “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her
will be accomplished!”
1) Elizabeth understood the Truth. The Truth is: God’s words will be fulfilled no matter
what. However, only those who believe God’s words can see God’s words being
accomplished and will also see that the accomplishment is to bless them.
2) When Mary believed God in a situation that was impossible, God caused her to be
the most blessed among all the women. She was used by God to conceive, give birth
and be the mother of the Savior, Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, generations after
generations regarded her as blessed.
3) When Mary did not look down on herself as lowly but focused on submitting to the
Lord’s instructions to her willingly, the child she gave birth to saved all of God’s
people and built God’s eternal kingdom. God’s words and blessings were greatly
accomplished in the life of this humble woman.