Use these for group work, or to assist your personal reflection.
- Check out the references to the Spirit in this passage and discuss what they mean in your group.
- What does this passage of Scripture tell you about the work that God intends to do through Jesus? Is this what you expect?
- How would you respond to this text if you were Mary? Would this fill you with fear or joy; discuss this and explain your feelings to your group.
Topis covered by this text
- The nature of God’s salvation
- The presence of the Holy Spirit within the essential work of God
- Simeon’s prophecy about the work of Jesus
- Simeon’s blessing of Jesus and His warnings
Personal comments by author:
It is a great of privilege to hold prophetic knowledge by the power of the Holy Spirit, and Simeon’s experience of this is by no means unique. Throughout time, God has revealed His will to people throughout time in words of prophecy or words of knowledge, and He has entrusted us with these things not so that we can brag about them, but so that His will is done in the world. It is important that we are faithful to our call and to any prophetic word that has been revealed to us; and it is the privilege of every disciple to be a bearer of God’s Word of Salvation, just like Simeon.
Ideas for exploring discipleship
- Reflect on the idea of prophecy and your own ideas about what it means. If possible, use a Bible dictionary or the internet to explore what prophecy means, and research this with care, letting God help you discern what is right and wrong in what you find.
- Pray for God’s church to hear and receive both the prophecies and blessings it receives, and respond to the spiritual messages that the Lord wants to give His people.
Jesus, we give You our praise, knowing that nothing is beyond Your infinite majesty; for You know our minds, touch our hearts, see with our eyes and sense our feelings. Make Yourself known to us in even the most insignificant of moments, and guide us by the power of Your love. AMEN
Please refer to the general advice on the page ‘discipleship challenges’
The notes below are offered to help you think about the challenges of God’s Word. Read the notes and suggestions below, but don’t try to follow through any more than one thing at any one time!