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| Our manger scene is one of my favorite family decorations, and one of the first to be displayed. With all the activities of the season, how easy it is for me to forget the real reason for the season. |
Part One: Zacharias and Elizabeth
OPEN: What have you done so far this season to prepare for Christmas?
READ: Malachi 3:1, 4:1-6
1. This is the last chapter of the Old Testament. At this time, many of the Israelites had forgotten God and were not living lives of faith. Here the prophet Malachi pleaded with them to obey God and warned them about a day to come. Describe that day.
2. Who will come before that day to prepare the people? What will he do?
READ: Luke 1:1-17
1. Luke was the “beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14) who travelled with Paul on his missionary journeys. Although the gospel of Mark had already been written at that time, Luke desired to make a more complete account for his friend Theophilus by interviewing many eye-witnesses. What was Luke’s reason for writing this? See verses 3-4.
2. Who were Zacharias and Elizabeth? What kind of people were they?
3. Zacharias was praying and worshipping in the temple when God shows up. What was his reaction to the angel?
4. What does the angel tell Zacharias? How does this relate to Malachi’s prophesy?
5. John would be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he was born. How would this make John different from other Jews at that time?
READ Luke 1:18-25
1. What was Zacharias’ reaction to the angel’s message?
2. What was Elizabeth’s reaction to her pregnancy?
REFLECT: During this month we will be surrounded of reminders of Christmas. There will be decorations, presents and activities with special food, smells, and music all pointing to Christmas and yet, like Zacharias, we can be unprepared to actually experience the presence of Christ. What can we do to remind ourselves of the real message of this season? How can we be more aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the midst of the hurry of the holiday?
EXTRA: For two great stories about the prophet Elijah, read 1 Kings 18:16-39 and 2 Kings 2:1-11.
Part Two: The Birth of John
OPEN:
When you attend a baby shower, or give a gift to a new mom/new baby, do
you like to do pretty (something special they would not buy for
themselves) or practical (something you are sure they would use a lot)?
READ: Luke 1:57-67
1. How did the neighbors react to the birth of Elizabeth’s baby?
2. A
child’s circumcision was a special event when the child was named and
initiated into his parent’s faith. Family and neighbors were often
invited. Why do you think that Zacharias’ speech returned to him at this
time? Also see Luke 1:13, 18-20.
3. What was the first thing Zacharias did when he regained his speech?
4. How did the neighbor’s react to Zacharias regaining his speech?
5. Why do you think God made Zacharias and Elizabeth wait until they were old (beyond child bearing years) to have a baby?
6. What
do you think about God making Zacharias mute for several months because
he did not believe the angel? Why do you think God did that?
READ: Luke 1:67-80
1. What was the source of Zacharias’ prophesy? (verse 67)
2. Zacharias’ prophesy contains several key points:
a. What was God doing for His people? (verses 68-73)
b. Why was God doing this? What was His purpose? (verses 74-75)
c. How did Zacharias tie this to what the Old Testament scriptures promised? Why is this important?
d. How did Zacharias tie this to his own life and his son? (verse 76-77)
3. Why do you think God would have John live in the wilderness before his public ministry?
REFLECT: Zacharias
did not believe the angel at first, but everything the angel predicted
happened. This encouraged Zacharias to believe all the Old Testament
prophesies and to tie them to his own life.
1. This
story strengthens my faith in the truth of the Bible. How about you? If
yes, what about it encourages your trust that the Bible is truth?
2. How
has God treated you in your times of doubt about Him? What incidents in
your life strengthened your faith? Now that your faith has grown, why
do you think God orchestrated them in your life?
Part Three: The Birth of Jesus
OPEN: Name a special person you are
visiting with during Christmas. What present have you gotten for them?
READ: Luke 2:1-20
1.
The Messiah was prophesied to come as a baby, born in the city of
Bethlehem (see Isaiah 9:6-7 and Micah 5:2), but Mary and Joseph lived in
Nazareth. How did they end up in Bethlehem?
2.
Mary and Joseph went on foot from Nazareth to Bethlehem, which
would be like us (in Nutley NJ) walking to Seaside Park. Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.
How do you think she felt when they discovered she had to make this trip? How
about Joseph? What would have been their concerns?
3.
Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem before the baby came, but the
only indoor location Joseph could secure for his wife was a barn. How do you
think Mary felt about that? How about Joseph?
4.
God knew all of this ahead of time of course, only Mary and Joseph
were surprised. I think God had a point for them and for us. What do you think
was God’s point?
5.
It was the middle of the night, quiet and dark, when the sky was
filled with glorious angels praising God. This amazing demonstration was seen only
by shepherds who were low-classing working poor, kind of like Shoprite cashiers
and maintenance workers who come to clean offices after hours. Why would God
tell these people this important news first?
6.
What was the shepherds’ response to the news?
7.
What was Mary’s response to all that happened?
REFLECT:
1.
There are “shepherds” all around us: shopping clerks, crossing
guards, and sanitation workers to name a few. As we go our way, how are we
treating them? How can we show them more respect and kindness?
2.
Like Mary, our life is going by us, sometimes scary and sometimes
amazing. Are we taking the time to ponder these things in our heart—to think
about what God is doing in our lives? How can we get better at that?
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