Elizabeth
Luke 1:13, Luke 1:24-25 & 36, 1:39-45, 1:57-60, 61-63
“God has blessed you above all women and your child is blessed…you are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” (Luke 1:42,45)
Elizabeth was a descendant of Adam and wife of Zechariah. She and her husband lived together happily for many years. At the age of 60, Elizabeth was childless but despite their advanced ages, she and her husband had not stopped praying for a child. As a member of the priestly tribe, Zechariah was selected by lot to burn incense in the inner sanctum of the temple. This was a great honor. While Zechariah was exercising his duty, the angel Gabriel appeared and told him Elizabeth would bear a son who would be honored among men. He said the child should be named John. Because of his and his wife’s ages, Zechariah was skeptical. Because of his unbelief, he was struck mute and could no longer speak. After the fulfillment of his priestly duties, Zechariah returned home to tell his wife the good news to Elizabeth. Very shortly, Elizabeth was pregnant.
Six months later, Gabriel appeared to Mary to tell her she would bear a son, and she was to name him Jesus. Mary and Elizabeth were cousins. As was customary during that time when Mary learned of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, she traveled from her home in Nazareth to Judah to visit Elizabeth. Mary may not have been surprised that Elizabeth, at her age, was pregnant as she was experiencing her own miracle pregnancy. When Elizabeth saw Mary, Elizabeth was overcome with the Holy Spirit. Her baby jumped in the womb, and she told Mary she was carrying the Messiah. At that news, Mary began praising the Lord.
It was the custom to circumcise male babies eight days after their birth, and newborn sons were given their father’s name. Elizabeth’s and Zechariah’s relatives and neighbors were surprised when Elizabeth and Zechariah named their son John as the angel had instructed. It was that day that Zechariah regained his speech. He praised God for the magnificent gift of his son. Elizabeth had borne the child who would become John the Baptist whose ministry ended 400 years of prophetic silence. He was the prophet who announced Jesus’ coming to save mankind.
Elizabeth was chosen by God to bring John the Baptist into the world. She and her husband nurtured and protected him to adulthood so he could prepare all who would hear of the promised messiah’s coming.
Devotional Lessons
Lesson 1: Righteous While Waiting
Elizabeth lived blamelessly before God even when her deepest desire went unfulfilled.
Study Questions & Memory Verses:
Question 1: What does it mean that Elizabeth was “righteous before God” despite being ashamed she did not have a child?
Memory Verse: “Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.” — Luke 1:6 (NIV)
Question 2: How did Elizabeth’s culture view barren women, and how might that have affected her emotionally?
Memory Verse: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the humble state of his servant.” — Luke 1:46–48 (NIV)
Question 3: Why did Elizabeth and Zechariah keep praying for a child well into old age?
Memory Verse: “Pray without ceasing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV)
Question 4: How can someone remain faithful to God when God seems silent for decades?
Memory Verse: “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” — Luke 1:45 (NIV)
Personal Reflection Prompt:
Think of one area where you are still waiting on God. Write down how you can choose faithfulness today, even without visible results.
Lesson 2: Grace in the Midst of Doubt (Zechariah’s Silence)
Theme: Elizabeth’s husband doubted, but God’s grace still covered their household.
Study Questions & Memory Verses:
Question 1: How did Elizabeth respond when she finally became pregnant after so many years of not having a child?
Memory Verse: “The Lord has done this for me… he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” — Luke 1:25 (NIV)
Question 2: In what ways did Elizabeth support Zechariah during his nine months of muteness?
Memory Verse: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” — Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
Question 3: Why did God punish Zechariah’s doubt but still give him a son?
Memory Verse: “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” — 2 Timothy 2:13 (NIV)
Question 4: What does Elizabeth’s hidden pregnancy for five months (Luke 1:24) teach about spiritual preparation?
Memory Verse: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” — Psalm 37:7 (NIV)
Personal Reflection Prompt:
Has someone close to you ever doubted God while you believed? Write a prayer asking God to help you extend grace to that person.
Lesson 3: Spirit-Filled Recognition
Theme: Elizabeth was the first person to recognize and announce Jesus as Lord while still pregnant with John.
Study Questions & Memory Verses:
Question 1: How did Elizabeth know Mary was carrying the Messiah before Mary told her?
Memory Verse: “Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” — Luke 1:41 (NIV)
Question 2: Why did John the Baptist leap in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary arrived?
Memory Verse: “The baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” — Luke 1:41 (NIV)
Question 3: How did Elizabeth bless Mary, and what can we learn from that blessing?
Memory Verse: “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” — Luke 1:45 (NIV)
Question 4: What does Elizabeth’s question “Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” teach about humility?
Memory Verse: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” — James 4:10 (NIV)
Personal Reflection Prompt:
Think of someone God has used mightily in your life. Write a short blessing you can speak over them this week.
Lesson 4: Obedience in Naming and Raising a Prophet
Theme: Elizabeth stood firm in obedience, naming her son John, and raised him to become John the Baptist.
Study Questions & Memory Verses:
Question 1: Why did relatives want to name Elizabeth’s son Zechariah, and why did she refuse?
Memory Verse: “His name is John.” — Luke 1:60 (NIV)
Question 2: How did Elizabeth’s obedience in naming her son lead to Zechariah’s restored speech?
Memory Verse: “Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.” — Luke 1:64 (NIV)
Question 3: What does it mean that John grew strong in spirit and lived in the wilderness?
Memory Verse: “And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.” — Luke 1:80 (NIV)
Question 4: Elizabeth’s son ended 400 years of prophetic silence. How does her faithfulness impact salvation history?
Memory Verse: “He will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him.” — Luke 1:76 (NIV)
Personal Reflection Prompt:
Whether you are a parent or not, who are you spiritually “raising” or influencing? Write one specific way you can prepare that person to recognize Jesus.