IN THOSE DAYS. Creative. Communications. Sample ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS A 4 SESSION BIBLE STUDY FOR ADVENT. leader s guide

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1 IN THOSE DAYS ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS A 4 SESSION BIBLE STUDY FOR ADVENT leader s guide

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3 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S Introduction Session 1: A Decree Went Out Session 2: To the City of David Session 3: No Place for Them Session 4: Her Firstborn Son By Carol Geisler. Images: Shutterstock by for the Parish, a division of Bayard, Inc., 1564 Fencorp Dr., Fenton, MO All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. 3

4 Introduction 4 Once upon a time. Those are the words that set the stage for so many familiar fairy tales. The opening lines of a contemporary science fiction tale might be even more well known in our day: A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. The account of Jesus birth is no fairy tale or imaginative movie script. His birth took place in real time, in real human history, when the ruler of the Roman empire, Caesar Augustus, issued a decree for a census to take place in those days. A long time ago, in a garden far, far away, God promised to send the woman s offspring to destroy the tempting serpent that had brought sin and ruin to paradise. That s no fairy tale either. Centuries later, in those days of Caesar Augustus, the time was fulfilled, the promise kept. 4

5 Leader s Guide For Session 1 BEFORE CLASS: Read through this session yourself. Examine the Bible readings listed and become acquainted with them. SESSION 1 A Decree Went Out In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. Luke 2:1 READ: Have a member of the group read the Introduction on page 4 aloud. READ: Have someone read the Opening Prayer or read the prayer in unison. OPENING PRAYER Heavenly Father, in Eden you promised to send a Savior, a Helper, the offspring of the woman, to crush the serpent s head. Your plan and promise unfolded through human history until the time had fully come. Through an emperor s decree, you arranged for the Savior to be born in Bethlehem, as the prophet had foretold. Help us to trust the plans you have for us, and the promise of eternal life that is ours through Christ our Savior, the holy Child of Bethlehem. Hear our prayer in his name. Amen. 5 5

6 DISCUSS: Discuss the timing of Christmas planning and decorating. DISCUSSION When do you begin your Christmas planning and decorating? READ: Read aloud or have someone read aloud the Introduction. A Place in History 1. Luke wants his reader Theophilus to be certain about the things he was taught about Jesus. Those who first told the story were eyewitnesses. Luke has followed everything closely for a while and he is going to write an orderly account of what he knows. [Note: Luke wrote the book of Acts and traveled with the apostle Paul on some of his missionary journeys (see Acts 16:8-10; 2 Timothy 4:11).] Luke gives the names of ruling officials at the time of Jesus birth. Luke wants his readers to have historically accurate information concerning the life of Jesus. God uses Caesar s decree to see that his own divine decree is fulfilled, the prophecy that the Christ would be born in Bethlehem. 2. Tiberius, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Philip, Lysanias, Annas and Caiphas were ruling in Rome and Palestine. [Note: Tetrarch means a ruler of one-fourth of a territory.] Pilate condemned Jesus to the cross. Herod INTRODUCTION Department stores start setting up their Christmas decorations in September, or perhaps even in August. You may have been planning for Christmas, too, long before the Advent season as you prepared to receive guests or made travel arrangements. Then during Advent, the decorating, shopping and baking may shift into high gear all to celebrate the birth of the holy Child of Bethlehem, our Savior Jesus Christ. We may plan ahead for our celebration, but God s plan for our salvation was in place long before the bright star shone over Bethlehem. His plan was made, in fact, before the stars were created. A PLACE IN HISTORY 1. Read Luke 1:1-4. What reason does Luke give for compiling his account of Jesus life? What does Luke say about those who first told the story of Jesus? What does Luke say about his own credentials as the historian for these events? Read Luke 2:1-2. What information anchors Jesus birth in human history? Why would Luke include that historical information in his account? Augustus was called Lord. With this historical background, how does God demonstrate his lordship over Caesar? 2. Read Luke 3:1-3. Who is ruling Israel as John begins his ministry of preparing the way of the Lord? What parts will some of these figures play in the lives of John and Jesus? 3. Read Hebrews 1:1-4. Luke began the story of Jesus birth with the words in those days. Now the phrase is in these last days. What has happened to bring about the last days? Some people 6 murdered John the Baptist, who had called on Herod to repent for taking the divorced wife of Herod s brother Philip. Jesus appeared on trial first before Annas, and then before his son-in-law Caiaphas, the high priest who called for Jesus death. 3. The birth, death and resurrection of Jesus ushered in the last days, the 6 period of time before his return on the Last Day. In these verses Jesus is described as the Son of God, the heir of all things, who bears the exact imprint of God s nature, who is the radiance of God s glory and who upholds the universe by his Word. He is superior to the angels.

7 Before History Begins 1. The futile ways were attempts to perfectly fulfill God s law and so earn salvation. We were ransomed by the precious blood of Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God offered for us. We attempt to save ourselves through our own good works. The Lamb was foreknown before God created the world. 2. God chose us in Christ before he created the world. Answers will vary. We cannot earn our salvation because God chose us to be his own before we were even born, before the world was created. God s plan is to unite all things in Christ. In Christ we have redemption, that is, forgiveness for our sins. 3. Jesus was with God in the beginning. Jesus is God. All things were made through him. Jesus is the Word made flesh, who dwelt on earth among us. His people did not receive him, but those who do become children of God. 4. The secret wisdom of God decreed before the ages is the message of the cross, of our salvation through faith in Christ crucified (see Paul s discussion of the wisdom of God in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25). This wisdom is revealed to us through the Spirit. We could never believe that God himself would become flesh or sacrifice himself for us. 5. God decreed that there would be enmity between the woman s offspring and the serpent s offspring. The woman s offspring would bruise the believe that Jesus was only a prophet. What do these verses say in opposition to such a belief? According to these verses, who is Jesus? BEFORE HISTORY BEGINS 1. Read 1 Peter 1: Peter writes to scattered Jewish believers. What were the futile ways inherited from their fathers? With what futile ways do we attempt to save ourselves? When was the Lamb of God known? 2. Read Ephesians 1:3-10. When did God choose us in Christ? What does it mean to you to be chosen by God in this way? What does such choosing say to those who feel that they must earn their salvation in some way? What is God s plan for the fullness of time? What do we have in Christ? 3. Read John 1:1-14. What do these verses say about Christ the Word and his existence before time began? How will he be received among his people? What does he give to those who do receive him? 4. Read 1 Corinthians 2:7-10. What was God s wisdom decreed before the ages? How has this been revealed to us? Why is this wisdom so impossible to grasp? 5. Read Genesis 3: Caesar Augustus issued a decree that sent Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. After the fall into sin, what did God decree in Eden concerning the serpent and the woman s o ff s p r i n g? head of the serpent, and the serpent would bruise the heel of the woman s offspring. [Note: If a man chooses to kill a serpent, he will likely crush its head. If a serpent wants to kill a man, he will likely strike the man s foot or heel. Both of these strikes are killing blows. The victor in the battle will be the victim who rises up when the strife is done.] 7 7

8 Yet To Come 1. Jesus proclaimed that the time was fulfilled and the kingdom of God was at hand. It was time to repent and believe the gospel. The prophecies made long ago about the Christ were fulfilled in Jesus life and ministry. 2. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, the A to Z. Jesus is the beginning and the end. He was present at creation and all things were created through him. He will be present as Judge and King on the Last Day. He lives and reigns now, he existed before time began and lived among us during his earthly ministry, and he is coming again. 3. God will make all things new, creating a new heaven and earth. It is done is the cry that all things have been fulfilled and accomplished in Jesus Christ, God s plan to unite all things in Christ. Jesus promises that he is coming soon. Answers will vary, but this is our Advent prayer: Come, Lord Jesus. 4. We are to go and make disciples of all nations. The reign of Jesus will be spread as the Gospel is proclaimed throughout the world and as people are baptized as his disciples. Answers will vary, but we might pray for missionaries and support them financially. We can tell neighbors and coworkers about Jesus. YET TO COME 1. Read Mark 1: As Jesus began his public ministry, what was his decree or proclamation? What was the time that was f u l fi l l e d? 2. Read Revelation 1:4-8. What does Jesus mean in calling himself the Alpha and the Omega and the one who is and who was and who is to come? 3. Read Revelation 21:1-6 and Revelation 22: What decree does God make in these verses? What is meant by the announcement, It is done!? What is the Lord s promise to us, a promise especially meaningful during this Advent season? 4. Read Matthew 28: What are we to be doing as we await our Lord s return, praying, Come, Lord Jesus? Augustus ruled an empire conquered and held by military might. How will the reign of Jesus be spread throughout the world? In what ways do you play a part in the spread of his reign? HEBREWS 1:1-3 L Long ago, at many times and in many ways, C God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, L 8 But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, C Whom he appointed the heir of all things, L Through whom also he created the world. C He is the radiance of the glory of God L And the exact imprint of his nature, C And he upholds the universe by the word of his power. READ: Read responsively the words of the Scripture passage. 8

9 SING: Sing (or speak) aloud the words of the hymn in unison. HYMN (Tune: Divinum Mysterium ) Of the Father s love begotten Ere the worlds began to be, He the Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending he, Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see. Evermore and evermore. This is he whom seers in old time Chanted of with one accord, Whom the voices of the prophets Promised in their faithful word. Now he shines, the long-expected; Let creation praise its Lord Evermore and evermore. 9 9

10 READ: Have someone read the Closing Prayer or read the prayer in unison. CLOSING PRAYER Jesus our Savior, we confess you as Lord. Through your death and resurrection you conquered sin, death and the devil and rule in majesty over all things. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to you. Reign as Lord and King in our lives, during this Advent season and always, until we stand before your throne and praise you for all eternity. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 10 10

11 DISCUSS: Discuss places where food or toys can be donated or plan to sing Christmas carols. MAKE A PLAN As you make plans for Christmas, include a plan to help and serve others. For example, donate canned goods to a food bank, toys to families in need or join in Christmas caroling at a nursing home or in your neighborhood. Make plans in the name of Jesus, who fulfilled God s plan to save us

12 IN THOSE DAYS Once upon a time are the words that set the stage for many familiar fairy tales. The account of Jesus birth is no fairy tale. In this Bible study for Advent, participants e s v n i t o i a t e a r c C ni e u l p m m m a o S C will see that Jesus birth took place in real time, in real human history. A long time ago, in a garden far, far away, God promised to send the offspring of the woman to destroy the tempting serpent who brought sin and ruin to paradise. Centuries later, in those days of Caesar Augustus, the time was fulfilled, the promise kept. By Carol Geisler. Images: Shutterstock by for the Parish, a division of Bayard, Inc., 1564 Fencorp Dr., Fenton, MO All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. TDLG