Making Room in Advent

Week 2 | Embrace Your Limitations

Dec 4, 2022

Big Idea

We make room for God’s power by embracing our limitations.

Scripture

Luke 1:26-38

Opening Questions

  1. How have you been able to B.L.E.S.S. others recently?
  2. What are your favorite traditions around Christmas time?
  3. Maxwell Maltz, who wrote Psycho-Cybernetics, estimates that 95 percent of people have a strong sense of inadequacy. Does this surprise you? Why or why not?

Bible Discussion

  1. Read Luke 1:26-38. What do you notice in the text?
  2. What are the limits Mary faces in this story? What limitations will she encounter?
  3. In Making Room for Advent, Bette Dickinson writes about Mary, “[God] doesn’t ask her to do miracles. He doesn’t ask her to get a theology degree. He doesn’t expect her to be strong or smart or famous or able to multitask well. He doesn’t ask her to be Superwoman and save the world. He has plans to do that himself. God invites Mary into partnership by asking her to dwell within the confines of who she already is.” In what ways do you see that in Mary’s story?

Life Application

  1. In what ways can our limitations be gifts? How can your limitations be a gift to you and others this season?
  2. When we experience limitations, that’s a perfect time to be open to God’s presence and work. Mary experienced God’s presence through God’s favor, purpose, Spirit, and God’s people. How have you experienced God’s presence in a similar way? How do you hope to experience it this year?
  3. How can you lean into the hope and promise of God’s presence this season?