Rejoicing With One Another
Luke 1:46-56 (ESV)
Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
Study Guide Questions:
Observations
List 2–3 attributes of God that Mary magnifies.
What was Mary’s first response to the angel’s news? How does the Magnificat show her process toward faith and joy?
What is worship?
Interpretation
Based on Mary’s example, how might worship impact how you face loss (e.g., of reputation, provision, life)?
What does Mary’s move from questions, to submission, to song reveal about how joy usually grows in a person’s life?
How does fellowship function as a means of grace?
Life Application
Who is your “Elizabeth” right now—someone whose walk with God could spark faith and joy in you? Who are you an “Elizabeth” to? What specific step will you take this week to seek them out (text, coffee, call)?
If worry is trying to control what you cannot control, what attribute of God will you fix your attention on this week instead, and how will you practice that shift daily?
Build a simple attention practice for worship this week (since worship is attention). What will you do for five minutes a day—sing a song, read a Psalm, breath-pray a truth about God—and what time and trigger will you tie it to?
Joy often grows by small steps. What is your next small, concrete step of obedience—one you can take this week—even if you don’t “feel it” yet? Who will you tell for accountability?
Where do you need humility today—admitting emptiness, naming a place you’ve avoided community, confessing forgetfulness, or asking for help? What honest prayer of humility will you pray before the day ends?