• Sermon Series Name: Christmas Angels
• Message Title: The Angel and Zechariah
• Short Summary: This message explores the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, highlighting God's faithfulness and perfect timing. Despite feeling overlooked, Zechariah learns that God hears every prayer and is always near. The message encourages us to trust in God's timing and to remain obedient, even when we struggle with doubt or feel distant from Him.

Icebreaker Question

• What is the most unexpected gift you've ever received, and how did it make you feel? How does this relate to receiving unexpected answers from God?

Review of the Previous Week’s "I Will" Statement

• Reflect on last week's commitment: I will make a commitment, stand strong in my commitment, or increase my commitment to All Things New. How did you strive to trust God's plan in an area of your life where you felt uncertain? What challenges did you face, and what did you learn from the experience?

Five Discussion Questions (Core Focus)

1. Reflecting on the Message:
   • How does the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth in Luke 1:5-25 illustrate God's faithfulness and timing? What stood out to you most about their story?
   • Context: Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous yet childless, feeling overlooked. God answered their prayers in His perfect timing.
   • Life Application: Consider a time when you felt overlooked by God. How can Zechariah's story encourage you to trust in God's timing?
2. Personal Struggles with Doubt:
   • Describe a time when you doubted God's promises or timing. What emotions did you experience, and how did you work through those doubts?
   • Context: Zechariah doubted the angel's message due to his and Elizabeth's old age.
   • Life Application: How can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness when you face doubt?
3. The Power of Prayer:
   • How does the message emphasize the importance of prayer in our relationship with God? Share a personal experience where prayer played a crucial role in your life.
   • Context: The angel tells Zechariah that God has heard his prayer.
   • Life Application: What steps can you take to deepen your prayer life and trust that God hears you?
4. Experiencing God's Perfect Timing:
   • Have you ever experienced a situation where God's timing was different from your own but ultimately perfect? How did it impact your faith?
   • Context: Zechariah's once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve in the temple coincided with God's message.
   • Life Application: How can you cultivate patience and trust in God's timing in your current circumstances?
5. Obedience and Reluctance:
   • In what areas of your life have you been reluctant to obey God's guidance? What might be holding you back, and how can you overcome it?
   • Context: Zechariah initially struggled to believe the angel's message.
   • Life Application: Identify one area where you can take a step of obedience this week.

This Week’s "I Will" Statement

• I will obey God where I have been reluctant.

Prayer Prompts

1. General Prayer Requests:
   • Invite participants to share any personal prayer requests they have.
2. Trust in God's Timing:
   • Pray for the strength to trust in God's timing and for patience in waiting for His answers.
3. Overcoming Doubt:
   • Pray for those struggling with doubt, that they may experience God's presence and faithfulness in their lives.

Rewatch the Message

• For those who want to revisit the message, you can watch it again at: www.pathwaychurch.com/messages