Everyday Bible Conversations!

EBC 3, 2, 1! – On Location in 2025! 

Leading to Worship Sunday December 14, 2025 

 Reading: Luke 1:57-80 

EBC focuses on bringing the Bible into our Everyday Lives, emphasizing God’s Everyday presence by finding connections in our physical world! This week, we consider how, even when our plans go awry, God is with us, and we can remember to praise him! Click here: Week 50 Video 

 Welcome to this week’s EBC 3,2,1! Three points, two questions, and one action step! 

 Three Points

 • In these verses at the end of Luke, we revisit Zechariah, now at John’s birth. Recall that Gabriel had told Zechariah Elizabeth would have a son, and the ordinarily pious Zechariah expressed some disbelief. Zechariah was struck mute.

 • Now, at John’s birth, Elizabeth says the baby should be named John, but family and neighbors seem to protest. They ask Zechariah what the baby should be named. He writes down: “John.” It is not a family name, and his agreement with Elizabeth helps show Zechariah still knows God’s plan for John.

 • Zechariah is immediately again able to speak, and he praises God, and God’s plan for salvation for his people! And John grew up and became strong in spirit. 

Two Questions

 • There is a subtle episode in this reading – where Elizabeth is second-guessed when the family disagrees. We might chalk up their checking with Zechariah as perhaps mostly a function of the inequitable roles of men and women (let’s say in those times), but what else can we take from that episode? How much easier is it to express your faith when you have someone to express it with? ¤ 

 • Things hadn’t necessarily been going “as planned” for the expecting couple! But when Zechariah is finally able to speak again, does he dwell on the difficulties? Does he blame God for his muteness? Has he rejected, or lost hope or faith in, God’s plan? What does Zechariah’s reaction tell us, was our own “plans” sometimes go awry? 

 Action Step

 • Be calm and steadfast in faith, even when your own Christmastime preparations are not all shiny tinsel! God is with you, giving you blessings and He is worthy of our praise!  

Don’t like these questions? Do these verses say something different to you? Great! What is it?  

And as always, you are encouraged to find a friend (or two or many) and take an EBC coffee break! Find 15-25 minutes somewhere in the week and share your faith. Have fun finding God this week in your Everyday Life!