God was faithful to His promise to Zechariah; He released him from his silence when John was named. Imagine how his friends and neighbors must have responded watching this unfold. John, meaning, “Yahweh has been gracious,” is miraculously born to a barren couple and the whole region is talking about it, because they realize that this has God’s fingerprints all over it. God is on the move again among His people!

Luke 1.65-66

65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What is the response of Zechariah and Elizabeth’s friends and neighbors? In what ways do we see fear used in a positive way in the Scripture? [See Luke 7.16]

+ What does this prompt them all to consider?

+ What does this passage demonstrate that they recognize in John and in the events of his birth?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ When was I last filled with holy fear for what God is doing?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?