• What is the sixth commandment?
• Some English translations say “kill” while others say “murder”. How can each of these words be misunderstood?
• What is it about human nature that makes the unjust taking of human life so wrong? 
• What does the sixth commandment require and forbid?
• What does it mean to seek to preserve your own life?
• What does it mean to seek to preserve the life of others?
• How can both of these principles be misused and abused by individuals and even governments?
• How does the sixth commandment apply to the issue of abortion?
• What do we need if we are to apply this law in a way that truly honors God and man? I’m thinking of a word that starts with a “W”.

Questions For Discussion At Home Or In Gospel Community Groups

• What is Luke’s method for bringing greater certainty to Theophilus (and to us)? In other words, what evidence does he present to support the claim that Jesus is the Messiah, and how does he present that evidence? I mentioned two types of evidence in the sermon.
• What was miraculous about the birth of John the Baptist and the loosing of Zachariah’s tongue so that he could speak again? How did these events function as signs that John (and Jesus) were no ordinary men?
• How might Zachariah function as a kind of model for a person who lacks certainty? In other words, how does his experience (over 9 months) show us how we can move from doubt to confidence concerning the claims of Christ?

• It was noted that Mary’s saying, as found in Luke 1:46-55, is very similar to Hannah’s saying as found in 1 Samuel 2. Why is it important to notice the similarities? How does this observation affect our interpretation of Luke?
• How should we view Mary? Ought we to pray to her, venerate her, or regard her as a kind of mediator? Why or why not?
• Mary refers to God as “God my Savior” in verse 47. What does this have to do with the things that were happening to her? How did she describe the salvation of the Lord? In what terms? Did she know how exactly the Messiah would accomplish our salvation at this point in her life? What did she know?
• What does it mean, ultimately, that God had (and would) bring down the mighty from their thrones? (verse 52)
• What does it mean, ultimately,  that God would exult those of humble estate, etc (verses 52-55)

• What is the fifth commandment?
• What is the most obvious and direct thing this commandment requires and forbids?
• Does the fifth commandment only require children to honor their parents? What else does it imply?
• Does the fifth commandment only require those with an inferior position to honor those who are over them? What else does it imply? 
• Give examples of how a superior is to show honor to an inferior (from the Bible and from real-life experience). 
• Why is it important to note that the fifth commandment is the first of the second table of God’s moral law?
• What is another word we could use instead of honor? Hint: Matthew 19:18-19; 22:39.

Questions For Discussion At Home Or In Gospel Community Groups

• Compare and contrast the setting of the announcement made to Zechariah and the setting of the announcement made to Mary. What should be noted about Nazareth? What theme does this introduce that will be developed by Luke?
• Discuss how every phrase in Gabriel’s announcement (vs. 28-33) is rooted in Old Testament promises and prophesies regarding the coming Messiah. Why is this important?  
•  What was the difference between Zechariah’s question and Mary’s? Why was Zechariah rebuked and punished while Mary was not?
• According to Gabriel, how would the Son of God become incarnate? See also Baptist Catechism 25. 
• What can we learn from Mary’s response? How should we emulate her?

1. What is the fourth commandment?
2. What does it mean to keep the Sabbath day holy?
3. Why should we not work on the Sabbath day?
4. Why should we not recreate on the Sabbath day?
5. Does this mean that no fun or joy is allowed on the Sabbath day?
6. If we are to rest from these common things, what are we to do instead?
7. What is public worship? 
8. What is meant by private worship?
9. Are there any exceptions?
10. In Isaiah 58:13-14 God tells us to consider the Sabbath a delight. What is meant by this? What are we to delight in on the Sabbath day?

1. Why is it significant that the announcement concerning the imminent birth of the forerunner to the Messiah was announced at the temple to a priest who was ministering at the altar of incense at the hour of prayer?
2. Why was it significant that the angel Gabriel delivered this announcement?
3. What prophesy from the Old Testament did Gabriel directly quote?
4. What miracles are mentioned in this text? Why are the miracles important?
5. What was Luke’s stated purpose for writing (Luke 1:3-4)? How does he go about accomplishing this task in this first section of his Gospel?
6. How can we grow in the certainty of our faith, in hope, and in love?