Discussion: Facing the Unknown

(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will discuss aspects of facing unknown circumstances.

Point out that making decisions is difficult, particularly when we are facing unknown results. Lead learners to consider the following circumstances and to think of why each would be frightening. Read each one and allow learners to discuss how they would want to respond in a God-honoring way, if they were faced with the same the unexpected situation, before moving to the next:

An unmarried woman finds out that she is pregnant.
A woman is faced with losing her family.
A man hears rumors that his wife is having an affair.
The truth about a young woman’s reputation will be the source of gossip in a close community.

After discussion, ask: What is the most difficult part about receiving unexpected news with an unknown future? (feeling out of control; fear of the unknown; not knowing what to do) Share that in today’s study, learners will look at Mary, who faced all of the circumstances above in her young life after an unexpected encounter with the angel Gabriel and his message from the Lord.