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Lesson OneMary, Jesus’ Mother and Disciple3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson TwoOld Testament Women in Matthew’s Genealogy3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson ThreeMary Magdalene3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson FourJairus' Daughter and the Hemorrhaging Woman3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson FiveThe Canaanite Woman3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson SixThe Samaritan Woman3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson SevenMary and Martha3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson EightPhoebe and Junia3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson NinePriscilla and Lydia: Hosts of Paul3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson TenConclusion3 Activities1 Assessment
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Course Wrap-UpCourse Completion2 Activities1 Assessment
Discussion Questions
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Reflect on Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55). What stands out to you from Mary’s words?
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Mary’s song of praise was remarkable. I know there is not much offered as proof of her age in the text. But by most accounts she was a teenager. In our society today very few teenage girls would be able to offer such an account. Her account of the historical God—the God of Israel—was introspective and honest. What a wonderful prayer meeting between Mary and her cousin. Thanks to Luke for such a detailed account of this interaction.
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What stood out to me was how contrast her proclamation of God in her song, was to the journey from conception through the crucifixion of Christ . The clarity in her expressive words and prophetic nature seem to me the incredible moving of the Holy Spirit. I imagine her feeling after those words, she must have felt extremely blessed knowing again the power of the Spirit within. As stated through the verses, Mary experienced many of the human feelings of sadness, joy and confusion… yet through those very human emotions, God breaks through with profound clarity of who He is, using Mary as the vessel. I find this so remarkable.
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Praise and worship were in her. Magnifying God as well as glorifying Him for what He had done to her, in and through her. This was also a testimony that seemed to transcend through all time, this also had been within her soul. It is beautiful that it’s praise, worship, honor and glory all within her words.
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How she even after his death and resurrections is thankful to God for all he has done and continues to do in their and everyone’s lives
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Mary praises God for His regard and care of the humble and lowly. From her personal experience Mary testifies to the great things He has done for her. Even though Mary’s circumstances were less than favorable she focuses on God and His greatness rather than her personal plight.
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Compare and contrast your thoughts and emotions around Mary’s character in the Gospels before and after this session. What has shifted in your perception of Mary? Why?
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I feel so many of us come with a history of untold facts and understanding of, not only Mary’s story, but the story of so many women in the bible. So as I continue to study where many of these women truly are in God’s plan, past and present, I continue to see the power of God’s presence is not limited. This study was a deeper dive into the life of Mary, and has proven no less incredible as I learn more about her and other women God used in mighty and compassionate ways. We need to hear the truths of Mary and other women in the bible in every place God is spoken about. I am always so inspired hearing the stories of Christians and how God interacts in so many different ways. This can only be understood, I believe, by hearing testimony from Men, Women, and Children…from all over the world.
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Before this session I had a more sentimental picture of Jesus’s relationship with his mother. But the lesson’s emphasis on the story of the wedding at Cana and Jesus addressing her as “woman” helped me revise my thinking. I had not understood this encounter to be between the Savior of the world and his disciple. I’d always viewed it through the lens of mother and son. From this point forward, Jesus clearly places His Master/Teacher relationships with his followers above familial relationships.
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The biggest shift in perspective is considering Mary as Jesus’ disciple. It makes complete sense on further consideration, but it does make me want to reread stories I have already committed to memory and analyze the context. How often does Jesus refer to Mary as mother versus disciple? What can I, as a mother, glean about sitting and learning from my own children? They may not be Jesus, but they are created in God’s image, and I should observe them and what they are expressing of God as much as I should be the one teaching them of God’s character.
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According to Dr. Cohick, Mary’s identity in the Gospels centers around three primary roles: mother, prophet, and disciple. Which of these elements tend to get left out, why is that, and what difference does it make?
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Prophet and Disciple is generally left out. Why, patriarchal hierarchy. Very sad, however, I feel there is a shift for truth.
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I had never considered the fact that Mary was a prophet. A prophet was God’s messenger and in her Magnificat she praises God and communicates His message to her world. She tells of the work that Jesus will be doing in His time on earth.
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Mary being a prophet and a disciple is usually left out. The way her life is usually analyzed is that of being a mother but now I can see Mary from a different perspective which is amazing.
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For me, the element in Mary’s identify that is left out is her role as a prophet. I don’t ever, ever recall Mary being referred to as a prophet. That she was a mother goes without saying, and in Acts she is with the disciples as they await the coming of the promised Holy Spirit, so I have previously made associations of Mary as a disciple. In comments/Bible notes I’ve read, when compared to the words Zechariah speaks later in Luke 1, Mary’s words are designated a song, whereas Zechariah’s words are designated a prophecy. And yet, as Dr Cohick points out, there is prophecy in her words.
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The elements that are the least discussed are that of Mary as a prophet and a disciple. The whole world knows of Mary as Jesus’ mother and we often look at her experiences as a mother. Mary is most often portrayed as a scared, yet strong, young woman. How many times have we heard sermons of how courageous she had to be at such a young age, but how few we have heard talking about her as a prophet or as Jesus’ disciple. How humbling it must have been to have to sit at the feet of your own son and follow him, not as your child, but as your Savior. I also think it makes a difference when considering the context of some of these stories and how Jesus is addressing her, whether as his mother or as his disciple. It can change how you interpret the narrrative.