Character Study - Mary
Elements:
Name & scriptures
Summary of their story (Background, when and where they lived, family, meaning of their name)
What they are known for
Strength & weaknesses (Characteristics)
Victories & challenges
How they point us to christ
Lessons we can learn from them
Questions you have from the story
Oct 23 - Mary
Being Jesus's mom, as you might imagine, is bound to put you in the theological limelight, and Mary holds this office with dignity and grace.
Betrothed to Joseph at a young age, Mary becomes pregnant under mysterious circumstances. Two of the four gospels claim that God is the father of her baby, but because of the silence of the other two gospels, as well as the lack of this being mentioned by Peter and Paul, it seems the doctrine of Jesus's virgin birth wasn't emphasized in the early Church — though it certainly did dominate later. The picture of Mary in the gospels is one of a concerned and loving mother who doesn't fully understand her son at times, but supports him to the end, even painfully witnessing his execution at the foot of the cross.
Much of what Christians believe about Mary arose after her lifetime and highlights theological differences between Catholics and Protestants. For Catholics, Mary maintained her virginity throughout her life. Thus, Jesus's "brothers" and "sisters" were either children fathered by Joseph from previous marriages, or cousins. But for most Protestant groups, these were just what the text says: full siblings. Also in death, Catholics believe that Mary's assumption to heaven involved not only her soul, but her body as well. For all Christians, Mary becomes venerated more than any other woman in the Bible.
Next Character Study: Jesus
Important Parts about Jesus: (split up groups for reading)
Matthew: Maggie, Theresa, Brittany
Mark: Chelsea, Greta, Candace
Luke: Lynsey, Denyse, Chaulin, Amanda, Vicki,
John: Becky, Sara, Elizabeth, Michelle,