Luke & Acts Episode 02
Tue Feb 03 2026
“The Announcement of a Child"
"Songs of Change"
Lesson Outline: Luke 1 — Announcing a Child, Singing of Fulfillment
I. Introduction: Luke’s Story World
Luke–Acts as one continuous narrative
God announces salvation before He accomplishes it
Key theme: fulfillment of ancient promises through unexpected people
II. Birth of a Child: God Announces His Work
(Luke 1:5–25 | Zechariah & Elizabeth)
Faithful but Vulnerable
Righteous before God, yet barren and aging
Social shame and unfulfilled longing
Divine Interruption
Gabriel appears during temple worship
Prayer meets promise
Announcement of John
Child set apart, Spirit-filled, Elijah-like
Purpose: prepare a people for the Lord
Human Response
Zechariah’s doubt
God’s corrective discipline (silence)
God’s Faithfulness
Promise fulfilled “in its proper time.”
Elizabeth’s joy and restored dignity
III. Another Announcement: The Greater Child
(Luke 1:26–38 | Mary & Gabriel)
A New Vulnerable Recipient
Young, poor, unmarried woman
Social risk and personal cost
The Message
Jesus: Son of the Most High
Davidic King with an eternal kingdom
Mary’s Question vs. Zechariah’s Doubt
Seeking understanding, not proof
Trusting God’s power
Divine Assurance
The Holy Spirit’s role
“Nothing will be impossible with God”
Faithful Surrender
“Let it be done according to your word.”
IV. Recognition and Joy
(Luke 1:39–45 | Mary & Elizabeth)
Spirit-filled confirmation
Joy leaps before Jesus is born
Blessing pronounced on belief and trust
V. Echoes of the Past: A Repeating Biblical Pattern
Announcing a Hero
Common Elements:
Vulnerable recipient (barren, enslaved, poor)
Prayer or longing
Divine messenger
Instructions and prophecy
Covenant transition
Human reaction (faith or doubt)
God’s confirming response
Old Testament Examples
Ishmael (Hagar)
Isaac (Sarah)
Samuel (Hannah)
VI. From Child to Community: Acts as the Next Announcement
(Acts 1–2)
Who Is the Announced “Hero” in Acts?
Not an individual child
The Spirit-empowered Church
A New Vulnerable People
Persecuted yet chosen
Royal priests under the New Covenant
Another Question
“Is now the time?”
God redirects focus to the mission
God’s Promise Fulfilled
The Holy Spirit poured out
Global witness begins
VII. Theological Big Idea
God’s plan to glorify Himself and rescue people was always intentional
Jesus fulfills the promise
The Church carries it forward
We are part of a divinely announced story
VIII. Discussion & Application
Who is the “announced hero” in Acts, and why does that matter?
Why does Scripture emphasize community over individual faith?
What might God be calling you to change in how you reach others or engage in fellowship?
More
“The Announcement of a Child" "Songs of Change" Lesson Outline: Luke 1 — Announcing a Child, Singing of Fulfillment I. Introduction: Luke’s Story World Luke–Acts as one continuous narrative God announces salvation before He accomplishes it Key theme: fulfillment of ancient promises through unexpected people II. Birth of a Child: God Announces His Work (Luke 1:5–25 | Zechariah & Elizabeth) Faithful but Vulnerable Righteous before God, yet barren and aging Social shame and unfulfilled longing Divine Interruption Gabriel appears during temple worship Prayer meets promise Announcement of John Child set apart, Spirit-filled, Elijah-like Purpose: prepare a people for the Lord Human Response Zechariah’s doubt God’s corrective discipline (silence) God’s Faithfulness Promise fulfilled “in its proper time.” Elizabeth’s joy and restored dignity III. Another Announcement: The Greater Child (Luke 1:26–38 | Mary & Gabriel) A New Vulnerable Recipient Young, poor, unmarried woman Social risk and personal cost The Message Jesus: Son of the Most High Davidic King with an eternal kingdom Mary’s Question vs. Zechariah’s Doubt Seeking understanding, not proof Trusting God’s power Divine Assurance The Holy Spirit’s role “Nothing will be impossible with God” Faithful Surrender “Let it be done according to your word.” IV. Recognition and Joy (Luke 1:39–45 | Mary & Elizabeth) Spirit-filled confirmation Joy leaps before Jesus is born Blessing pronounced on belief and trust V. Echoes of the Past: A Repeating Biblical Pattern Announcing a Hero Common Elements: Vulnerable recipient (barren, enslaved, poor) Prayer or longing Divine messenger Instructions and prophecy Covenant transition Human reaction (faith or doubt) God’s confirming response Old Testament Examples Ishmael (Hagar) Isaac (Sarah) Samuel (Hannah) VI. From Child to Community: Acts as the Next Announcement (Acts 1–2) Who Is the Announced “Hero” in Acts? Not an individual child The Spirit-empowered Church A New Vulnerable People Persecuted yet chosen Royal priests under the New Covenant Another Question “Is now the time?” God redirects focus to the mission God’s Promise Fulfilled The Holy Spirit poured out Global witness begins VII. Theological Big Idea God’s plan to glorify Himself and rescue people was always intentional Jesus fulfills the promise The Church carries it forward We are part of a divinely announced story VIII. Discussion & Application Who is the “announced hero” in Acts, and why does that matter? Why does Scripture emphasize community over individual faith? What might God be calling you to change in how you reach others or engage in fellowship?