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God
Came to You
Luke 2:1-14
Lesson
Purpose:
When your group has finished with this lesson hopefully they will
have an understanding of what Christmas is really about. Instead
of traditional Santa and church on Christmas Sunday, the story
of God coming as a tiny baby will provide real meaning. The concept
of God entering into our world in the most humble conditions so
He could show us His great love is the central concept of this
lesson. Through the love we see in the Christmas story He shows
us our sin and invites us into relationship with Him.
Scripture:
And there were shepherds living out in the
fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An
angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord
shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel
said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news
of great joy that will be for all the people.
“Today in the town of David a Savior
has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be
a sign to you: You will find the baby wrapped in cloths and
lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of heavenly host
appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and
on earth peace to all on whom his favor rests.”
(Luke 2:1-14) |
Icebreaker:
Invite the group to think for a moment about this question: What
is your favorite Christmas memory? Ask group members
to share their responses.
Life
Connections
Use these questions to help your group members to begin to open
up with one another and to think about their own lives. The answers
to these questions need not be spiritual in nature. The intention
is for practical real life responses.
1) What does Christmas mean to you? Time with
family; stress; buying gifts.
2) Why do we celebrate Christmas? To show one
another how much we love them through giving gifts; because of
Santa Claus; something to do with the church and Jesus.
3)
What happened on the very first Christmas? Jesus
was born.
4)
How does Christmas affect us throughout the year?
(Not just at Christmastime). The bills last long after Christmas;
we plan for the next holiday with our family throughout the year.
Scripture’s
Answers: Luke 2:1-14
In this section the Life Connection questions are now related
to the passage of Scripture being used in this Bible Study. The
answers to the following questions should come out of the text
as well as out of the individual’s hearing and understanding
of what they have heard read.
Have a member of the group read the Scripture passage aloud for
all to hear. Make sure extra Bibles are available so everyone
can follow along.
Introduction:
Our scripture reading describes shepherds being told the
good news of the Savior’s birth. It is hard to understand
why God chose shepherds, being that they were the outcasts of
society, to be the first to hear the good news. It seems it would
have been a better marketing strategy to send the angels to influential,
powerful people. However, the angels coming to these on the fringes
shows us God’s interest in all people.
Teaching
Time:
Say
to your group: “Here we have some interesting
characters. Angels and shepherds are the focus of the verses
we are studying together. Angels are special messengers from
God and shepherds, in biblical times, were considered unsavory,
untrustworthy characters.” |
5)
Why do you think God chose the shepherds? Because
He had to start with someone; because He wanted to let people
know that the good news was for everyone.
6)
What was this “good news of great joy” that
the angels told the shepherds about? Jesus’ birth;
a special baby was born in David’s town.
7)
When I say the word “Savior” what descriptive
words come to your mind? Hero; courageous; strong; powerful;
fearless.
8)
When I say the word “baby” what descriptive
words come to your mind? Fragile; helpless; fussy; sweet;
precious.
9) How do “savior” and “baby”
go together? They don’t; they are opposite of one
another; they shouldn’t be on the same list together.
Teaching
Time:
Say
to your group: “It’s surprising that God
would send His angels to tell these ordinary shepherds that
a baby was going to be their Savior. Angels usually come to
special people not people on the fringe of society. For some
reason God wanted the shepherds to know about the coming of
His Son. God wanted the shepherds to know that a Savior had
been born.” |
10) What do you think is important about God sending a
baby to earth to be a Savior? It is different than anything
else we would expect; He wants us to accept the Savior, so He
makes him easy to get along with; it seems strange to me.
Teaching
Time:
Say
to your group: “The most important thing God
wanted us to understand when He sent Jesus as a baby was that
He wanted to be near to us. Jesus came to save us but not
like some hero from a movie. He started out just like we start
out, He felt what we feel, and He understands us because He
has been where we are. This baby Savior is important to us
because this was God, not trying to show us his love by force
or power, but through the cries of a little newborn baby.
If Christmas is really about love, let me ask a question I
asked earlier and see if your answer is different.” |
11) How does Christmas affect us throughout the year?
(Not just at Christmas time). If it is about God wanting to show
us his love, it means a lot more than presents; it changes what
I thought about the story of Jesus; it makes me think God cares
about me and how I am feeling everyday.
Reflection:
Invite the group to take a moment to reflect silently on the questions
you are going to ask. These questions can be answered or you may
choose to allow the members of the group to think about them.
12)
How do you think about God knowing He came as a tiny baby?
13)
Jesus didn’t just come as a baby; He grew up and
felt love and betrayal, joy and pain. He knows exactly what you
are feeling, He knows your needs and He wants to be close to you?
How do you respond to knowing that?
14)
How will Christmas look different to you this year knowing
that God sent His Son Jesus for you?
Optional
Activity Time:
As a way to make the reflection more meaningful in the lives of
group members there are two activities to engage in. First, give
the group time to write the answers to the reflection questions
in a journal they can keep throughout the study time and the week
to come. Second, send each group member home with these questions
to think about and write about in a journal during the week. When
the group gathers together the next time, break the group up into
smaller groups and give them the opportunity to share what they
have been thinking about since they last met.
Teaching
Time:
Say
to your group: “We can know and believe that
God sent His Son into the world at Christmas but remain the
same. Or we can choose to invite this loving God into our
hearts and lives. As we pray together, you have a choice to
make: Will you continue to live your life as if God has no
interest in you, or will you ask Him into your heart and live
in response to the love He offered us on Christmas, the same
love He offers us everyday?” |
Conclusion:
Take time to pray together before the group leaves. Allow group
members to share insights and ask questions they may have.
Possible
Prayer:
Lord Jesus,
We are amazed You would be willing to give up all of Your
strength and Your power to enter into this world as a tiny
vulnerable baby. We cannot even begin to understand the sacrifice
You made when you did. Thank You for coming. Thank You for
experiencing what we experience. Help us to live our lives
in such a way that Christmas doesn’t just mean presents
and Christmas trees, but Christmas means you came to earth
to show us Your love. Will You help us to accept that love?
Be our Savior, we pray.
Amen. |
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