Discovering God's Great Gift December 14. Think About It … What are some crazy things you’ve done to secure the perfect gift for someone? Why are people.

Discovering God's Great Gift

December 14

Think About It …

• What are some crazy things you’ve done to secure the perfect gift for someone?

• Why are people willing to go to such extremes to find the perfect gift for someone?

• Today we study a passage from Luke’s Gospel focusing on – the most thoughtful, – the most costly gift ever given.

Listen for details of Jesus birth.

Luke 2:1-7 (NIV) In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. [2] (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) [3] And everyone went to his own town to register. [4] So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David,

Listen for details of Jesus birth.

because he belonged to the house and line of David. [5] He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. [6] While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, [7] and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Jesus Birth Unnoticed

• What historical facts did Luke provide that allow us to approximate the date of Christ’s birth?

• What details about the birth of Jesus do we know or can we infer from Luke’s description?

• In what way was Christ’s birth a simple event?

Jesus Birth Unnoticed

• In other ways we might say it was a complicated happening. In what ways did God manage the events of history to get Joseph and Mary where He wanted them at the appropriate time?

Jesus Birth Unnoticed

• At this point in the story, very few people in Bethlehem knew the significance of Jesus’ birth. How are people today like the population of Bethlehem that night?

• How does our culture fall short in honoring Christ's significance at Christmas?

• What could we do as individuals to celebrate and honor Christ's significance ?

Jesus’ Birth Offers Peace

• If you wanted to make an earth-shattering announcement of fantastic news, whom would you tell to get the word out?

• God chose an unlikely group– shepherds – not a high class crowd– similar to working cowboys of the old west

• Listen for the details of just how God’s good news was proclaimed.

Listen for the details of just how God’s good news was proclaimed.

Luke 2:8-14 (NIV) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. [9] An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. [10] 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.

Listen for the details of just how God’s good news was proclaimed.

[11] Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. [12] This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." [13] Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, [14] "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Jesus’ Birth Offers Peace

• What words and phrases were used in the announcement to the shepherds?

• Which of these words describe the identity of the new baby?

• The angels announced “peace on earth” – what kind of peace were the Jewish people looking for?

Jesus’ Birth Offers Peace

• What do you think God’s announcement of peace really meant?

• What different kinds of peace are people hoping for or need in today’s world?

• How does peace with God bring all of these kinds of peace?

Listen for specifics of how the shepherds responded.

Luke 2:15-20 (NIV) When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." [16] So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. [17] When they had seen him, they spread the

Listen for specifics of how the shepherds responded.

word concerning what had been told them about this child, [18] and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. [19] But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. [20] The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Jesus Demands a Personal Response• If you were camping out or somewhere out in

the country at night and you had an experience like this, what would you do or say after the angels left?

• What was the immediate reaction of the shepherds after the angels left?

• After finding the Christ child, what did the shepherds do?

Jesus Demands a Personal Response• What should be our response when we

discover what God wants us to do?• What does it mean that Mary “treasured up all

these things and pondered them in her heart”? It is important to carefully consider God’s

words and God’s workings in our lives– apply them to future experiences – pass them on to children and grandchildren

Application

• As a devotional exercise this week, think about which character in the story of Jesus’ birth would you most like to ask a question? – What would you ask?– How do you think they would respond? – Write down how the humble circumstances of

Jesus’ birth convince you of God’s gracious gift of love in Jesus’ birth.

Application

• How big is God? Is he big enough to bring peace to your life, your family, your world?– Talk to God about the peace you need– Tell Him you are trusting Him to bring peace to

you, to those around you– Ask Him to help you to be peaceful in the midst of

your turmoil

Application

• The shepherds responded, Mary responded to the birth of Jesus. What new response is God calling you to make today in light of the good news of Jesus’ birth?– Trust Him for salvation– Obey Him – Surrender to His lordship– Serve Him

Discovering God's Great Gift

December 14