(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will share times in their lives when they embraced an opportunity that scared them.
Lead learners to share a time in their lives when they would have missed out on something wonderful if they had been too scared to travel down a particular path. (Answers could include having children, going to college, taking a trip, or flying on an airplane.) Encourage learners to share why they were fearful before the event and why going through with it was worth it.
After several minutes of sharing, explain that in today’s study, learners will explore how Mary would have missed out on being a main figure in God’s plan to send His Redeemer to the world had she been too fearful to obey Him.