Be Ready to Follow Wholeheartedly
Jon: Imagine not being able to speak for almost a year!
Bradon: I don’t want to imagine that. How would I sing in the car or the shower? No more podcast hosting for me. That would be so sad!
Jon: Coming up on the Bible Story Podcast, we learn the importance of being ready to follow wholeheartedly.
Discussion Episode
Luke 1
About the Story
Bradon: Today, we are going to look at Luke 1, which is the beginning of Christmas Story! Next week we will follow it up with Luke 2.
Jon: Think of this as Jesus’ origin story, and it is vital as it helps us understand more fully who Jesus is.
Bradon: You would think that the story would begin with Jesus or his parents, but it doesn’t; it starts with an old couple named Zechariah and Elizabeth.
Jon: And God. God is at the center of this story, and he is stirring things up. He is causing everyone to be super curious. They can tell that God is doing something, but they don’t have the whole story yet!
Bradon: Now, the Lesson for today has some really important elements for us. We are going to learn the importance of being ready to follow God wholeheartedly.
Application
Jon: Bradon, it’s time to answer. How would you do if you were unable to speak for more than nine months? Put yourself in Zechariah’s shoes.
Bradon: That would be the worst; for real, you and I both know that I love people. I like hanging out and chatting. It would for sure be the hardest thing I have ever experienced.
Jon: It would be super hard for me too. Ok, so Gabriel said because Zechariah didn’t believe that he would be unable to speak. Does that seem kind of harsh? Why do you think this happened?
Bradon: Well, we know that it is not because God is mean. It is not punishment, but it is discipline.
Jon: Ok, I am glad you clarified but maybe explain that concept a bit more.
Bradon: Well, clearly, Zechariah’s unbelief was an issue that God wanted to deal with. Taking away his ability to speak may have forced Zechariah to deal with the issues within his heart!
Jon: Ok, I am going to push back slightly. Mary also questioned the Angel Gabriel. She didn’t understand how she could become pregnant since she was a virgin. Why didn’t she lose her voice for questioning?
Bradon: Zechariah didn’t lose his voice for questioning but his unbelief. God was revealing to the Angel Gabriel the heart of Zechariah and probably Mary too. Now don’t get me wrong, Mary wasn’t perfect; no human is. God didn’t need the same methods to teach and Mary as compared to Zechariah. They are entirely different people and therefore needed utterly different interactions with God!
Jon: Ok, that makes sense. I think I know what the lesson for us today is. Get your heart in order! No one expected God to speak and to give them a baby! Noone anticipated that God would be using them as parents in such a marvellous way!
Bradon: Right, you and I have heard other people’s stories and even experienced this ourselves; not ready for God’s plans. People are often not just surprised by where God leads them, but their hearts are not prepared for it.
Jon: So the lesson is this. Work on your Character so that when God leads you somewhere you will be ready to follow wholeheartedly.
