Introduction

In the last lesson, we learned about how the prophets told of how Jesus would fulfill God’s promise.

Bible Story

You don’t have to be rich or famous for God to use you. Luke 1:26‑27, tells us about Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Jesus’ mother, Mary, wasn’t very old—possibly a young teenager. Most people didn’t know Mary or her family. But God chose Mary for the special purpose of giving birth to Jesus. An angel told Mary she would give birth to Jesus.

When Mary first saw the angel, she was confused and wondered what was going on.

Imagine that an angel just appeared to you. What’s the first thing you might think if you saw an angel? (I’d be scared; I would wonder if it was a dream.)

How do you think Mary might have felt after hearing the angel’s message? (Excited; happy to be chosen; curious about how it would happen; scared.)

From Luke 1:34-38,do you think you would have agreed to do what the angel said as Mary did? Explain. (Yes, I’d do what God wanted me to do; no, I might have said, “Let me think this over first.”)

Why do you think God chose Mary to be Jesus’ mother? (Because she followed God; because she was nice; God knew she’d make a good mother.)

From Matthew 1:18-21,why do you think God chose Joseph to act as Jesus’ father? (Because he was a kind man; because God trusted him.)

God could have chosen someone famous, someone important, or someone wealthy to bring his Son into the world. But he didn’t. Instead, God chose an unknown young woman who was willing to be his servant. God knew Mary would be a wonderful mother for Jesus and that Joseph would be a good earthly father. God didn’t care how famous or important Mary and Joseph were because God uses ordinary people.

Not only did God choose ordinary people to be Jesus’ parents on earth, but God also chooses ordinary people to be Jesus’ spiritual brothers and sisters. That’s right—Jesus was born on earth so that any ordinary person could become a child of God and have a relationship with him. Jesus loves ordinary me and ordinary you!

We’ve already heard how God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus. But how did Mary react to the news? Luke 1:28-29 In these verses, Mary is confused about why God has chosen her and what the angel’s message might mean. Mary might have felt too young or unimportant for such a special task.

Remember of a time you thought you were too young to have something special happen to you.

God uses ordinary people, and his choices are often surprising.( 1 Samuel 16:7b, “The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” )

What ideas does this verse give you about why God chose Mary? (Mary was just an ordinary girl, but God knew her heart; she was nothing special, but God can use anyone whose heart is right.)

God uses ordinary people like Mary, and God can use children, too. Like Mary, we may wonder why God would want to use us. We may feel awkward and nervous. But if we’re willing to get involved, God can use us in amazing ways. We know that God uses ordinary people—people like you and me.