Week 2: The Practice of Hopeful Waiting (The Marvel and Miracle of Advent OBS)

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Online Bible Study with our friends at Online Bible Study with our friends at To get the most out of this study, we recommend starting your 14-day free trial of Bible Gateway Plus. You will have full access to over $3,100 worth of study resources (Study Bibles, Commentaries, Encyclopedias, and more) and unlock all of the tools to truly go deeper in your knowledge of Scripture. Plus, sign up today to start your free trial and then save 20% for life! Start My 14-Day Free Trial   WEEK 2   The Practice of Hopeful Waiting "This whole season of Advent is a time of waiting, a time of preparing, a time of reorienting." - Christine   This week, Christine invites us into the story of Elizabeth and Mary as we learn that even in the waiting seasons, God is still at work. It's often in the waiting that God is working on the impossible. Let's get started!  Key Scriptures: Luke 1:39–45 (Elizabeth and Mary)  Insight Insight Let's read the key Scripture together here, from the NIV:    39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"    Here, Elizabeth was waiting for her baby to be born. But let's read what the NIV Quest Study Bible asked about why Mary was there. It says,     "She went to help Elizabeth, her elder relative, who was in her last months of pregnancy. Given her age, Elizabeth's pregnancy may have presented some complications, and Mary could have assisted her. Elizabeth was already six months pregnant when Mary heard the news (v. 36), and since Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months (v. 56), she likely stayed until Elizabeth gave birth."  With Christine Caine and Lisa Harper's teachings and the premium resources accessible through Bible Gateway Plus, you'll gain a deeper understanding of Scripture in your Online Bible study experience.  The perfect tool for Bible study Try it for FREE for 14 Days  STUDY RESOURCES  SHOP STUDY MATERIALS ► WATCH THE VIDEOS ► JOIN THE COMMUNITY ► VIEW THIS EMAIL IN YOUR BROWSER  ►     *The 20% off promotion is valid through December 9, 2024. All prices are USD. Additional sales tax may apply. The 14-day free trial is available to new subscribers only. All prices are USD. Additional sales tax may apply. The free download will be sent via email when you're new membership is active.      This email was sent to ovemn0.love@blogger.com by Bible Gateway, 501 Nelson Place, Nashville, TN 37214, USA. You received this message because you signed up to receive updates and offers from Bible Gateway and its sponsors. If you have questions or comments about     this email, please contact us.   Manage all Bible Gateway subscriptions   Opt Out of all Bible Gateway communication VIEW THIS EMAIL IN YOUR BROWSER  ►   *The 20% off promotion is valid through December 9, 2024. All prices are USD. Additional sales tax may apply. The 14-day free trial is available to new subscribers only. All prices are USD. Additional sales tax may apply. The free download will be sent via email when you're new membership is active.    This email was sent to ovemn0.love@blogger.com by Bible Gateway, 501 Nelson Place, Nashville, TN 37214, USA. You received this message because you signed up to receive updates and offers from Bible Gateway and its sponsors. If you have questions or comments about     this email, please contact us.     Manage all Bible Gateway subscriptions     Opt Out of all Bible Gateway communication