Joyful Moments in Christ

Mary and Elizabeth Rejoice in God’s Faithfulness

This Sunday School lesson is intended for upper elementary students. All lessons on this website are protected by copyright, but you can use them for free in small groups or Sunday School classes. You may share a link to this page, but please do not copy these pages and put them on other websites.

The Big Idea

God keeps his promises and blesses those who trust him, filling their hearts with joy and praise.

Lesson Objectives

1. Recognize that God is faithful to his promises.
2. See how Mary and Elizabeth responded to God with joy and thanksgiving.
3. Understand that God’s mercy is for those who trust and honor him.
4. Be encouraged to praise God for his kindness in their own lives.

Class Setting Notes

1. Recommended for upper elementary Sunday School.
2. Lesson length: 45–60 minutes. Can be shortened or extended based on activities selected.

Opening Activity

Sharing Good News

• Prepare a small gift bag or wrapped box with a label that says “Good News!”
• Pass the box around the circle. When music stops or after a timer buzzes, the student holding it shares a time they or someone they love received good news.
• After a few turns, explain that today’s story is about two women who received wonderful news from God.

This activity helps introduce the joy and celebration that come with hearing and believing good news from God.

Bible Reading

Ask the class to read Luke 1:39–56 aloud together or have one person read it. You may want to read it slowly more than once.

• Very Easy: Easy-to-Read Version: Luke 1:39-56 (ERV)
• Very Easy: New International Reader’s Version: Luke 1:39-56 (NIRV)
• Easy: Good News Translation: Luke 1:39-56 (GNT)
• Medium: New Living Translation: Luke 1:39-56 (NLT)
• Hard: New International Version: Luke 1:39-56 (NIV)
• Very Hard: English Standard Version: Luke 1:39-56 (ESV)

Additional Reading: Choosing the Right Bible Translation: A Comparison of 7 Versions

Suggested prompts:

As the class reads aloud, consider asking some of these prompts:

1. What do you notice about how Elizabeth reacts to Mary’s visit?
2. How does Mary describe what God has done for her?
3. What are some things Mary praises God for in her song?
4. How does this passage make you feel about God’s character?
5. What does it mean to trust God when we do not fully understand his plans?

Teacher Background Notes

1. Mary likely traveled 70–90 miles to visit Elizabeth in Judea.
2. Elizabeth was about six months pregnant with John the Baptist, who would later prepare the way for Jesus.
3. The baby leaping in Elizabeth’s womb is an early indication of John’s prophetic joy and recognition of the Messiah.
4. Mary’s song, known as the Magnificat, is rich with Old Testament language, showing her familiarity with Scripture.
5. The passage highlights key themes of reversal: the lowly are lifted, the proud are humbled, and the hungry are filled.
6. God’s covenant faithfulness to Abraham and his descendants is central to Mary’s praise.

Theological Insights

1. God keeps his promises to his people.
2. God blesses people who trust him, even when they are lowly or afraid.
3. The Holy Spirit fills people with joy and praise.
4. God’s mercy is for all people who honor him.
5. Jesus is the Savior that God promised long ago.
6. God cares for the hungry and the poor.
7. We should praise God for his great power and kindness.

Discussion Questions

Understanding the Text

1. Where did Mary go after she heard the angel’s message?
2. Who did Mary visit, and what happened when she greeted her?
3. How did Elizabeth know that Mary’s child was special?
4. What does Mary say in her song about God’s mercy and power?
5. What does this passage teach us about who God blesses?

Personal Reflection and Application

1. Why do you think Mary wanted to visit Elizabeth?
2. How do you respond when you see God working in someone else’s life?
3. What good things has God done for you that you can praise him for?
4. How can you encourage a friend like Mary encouraged Elizabeth?
5. What does it look like to trust God when his plans seem surprising or difficult?

Suggested Activities

Praise Poster

• Provide large sheets of paper and markers.
• Have students write or draw pictures of ways God has shown mercy, kept promises, or helped them.
• Hang the posters around the classroom.

This activity gives students a visual way to express thanks and remember God’s goodness.

Act It Out

• Assign roles for Mary, Elizabeth, and a narrator.
• Read Luke 1:39–45 aloud while students act out the story.
• After the reading, ask what they think Mary and Elizabeth felt in that moment.

This activity helps students experience the joy and surprise of the encounter in a personal way.

Magnificat Song Art

• Print Mary’s song (Luke 1:46–55) on slips of paper or display it.
• Ask students to underline or highlight their favorite line.
• Give them materials to create a drawing or simple artwork based on that phrase.

This activity invites students to engage with Mary’s words and make her praise their own.

Memory Verse

For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

Luke 1:49 (ESV)

Closing Prayer

Father,

Thank you for your promises and for blessing us. Help us trust you like Mary and Elizabeth did. Fill our hearts with joy and thankfulness.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The ESL Version

I also create materials for adult English Language Learners (ELLs) and ESL students. You can find my ELL Bible Study on Luke 1:39-56 here:

ELL Bible Study: Luke 1:39-56 — Mary Visits Elizabeth

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Related Resources

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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.