NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH Sunday School Curriculum Week Sixty-Eight December 22, 2013 Celebrating The Light Of Christmas The Light Of Jesus Birth Luke 2:1-21
Celebrating The Light Of Christmas The Light Of Jesus Birth Luke 2:1-21 I. Full Scripture Passage Luke 2:1-21 Luke 2:1-21 - New American Standard Bible (NASB) Jesus Birth in Bethlehem 2 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased. 15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us. 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. 1 P a g e
Jesus Presented at the Temple 21 And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. II. Scripture Commentary Luke 2:1-21 Matthew Henry Concise Luke 2 The birth of Christ. (1-7) It is made known to the shepherds. (8-20) Christ presented in the temple. (21-24) Simeon prophesies concerning Jesus. (25-35) Anna prophesies concerning him. (36-40) Christ with the learned men in the temple. (41-52) Verses 1-7 The fullness of time was now come, when God would send forth his Son, made of a woman, and made under the law. The circumstances of his birth were very mean. Christ was born at an inn; he came into the world to sojourn here for awhile, as at an inn, and to teach us to do likewise. We are become by sin like an outcast infant, helpless and forlorn; and such a one was Christ. He well knew how unwilling we are to be meanly lodged, clothed, or fed; how we desire to have our children decorated and indulged; how apt the poor are to envy the rich, and how prone the rich to disdain the poor. But when we by faith view the Son of God being made man and lying in a manger, our vanity, ambition, and envy are checked. We cannot, with this object rightly before us, seek great things for ourselves or our children. Verses 8-20 Angels were heralds of the new-born Savior, but they were only sent to some poor, humble, pious, industrious shepherds, who were in the business of their calling, keeping watch over their flock. We are not out of the way of Divine visits, when we are employed in an honest calling, and abide with God in it. Let God have the honor of this work; Glory to God in the highest. God's good-will to men, manifested in sending the Messiah, redounds to his praise. Other works of God are for his glory, but the redemption of the world is for his glory in the highest. God's goodwill in sending the Messiah, brought peace into this lower world. Peace is here put for all that good which flows to us from Christ's taking our nature upon him. This is a faithful saying, attested by an innumerable company of angels, and well worthy of all acceptation, That the good-will of God toward men, is glory to God in the highest, and peace on the earth. The shepherds lost no time, but came with haste to the place. They were satisfied, and made known abroad concerning this child, that he was the Savior, even Christ the Lord. Mary carefully observed and thought upon all these things, which were so suited to enliven her holy affections. We should be more delivered from errors in judgment and practice, did we more fully ponder these things in our hearts. It is still proclaimed in our ears that to us is born a Savior, Christ the Lord. These should be glad tidings to all. 2 P a g e
Verses 21-24 Our Lord Jesus was not born in sin, and did not need that mortification of a corrupt nature, or that renewal unto holiness, which were signified by circumcision. This ordinance was, in his case, a pledge of his future perfect obedience to the whole law, in the midst of sufferings and temptations, even unto death for us. At the end of forty days, Mary went up to the temple to offer the appointed sacrifices for her purification. Joseph also presented the holy child Jesus, because, as a first-born son, he was to be presented to the Lord, and redeemed according to the law. Let us present our children to the Lord who gave them to us, beseeching him to redeem them from sin and death, and make them holy to himself. III. Outline Celebrate the Light of Christmas The Light of Jesus Birth - Luke 2:1-21 Introduction Luke wrote a very detailed account of the birth of Jesus. He shared it primarily from Mary s point of view. Most believe that Joseph died before Jesus death, burial and resurrection. The disciples of Jesus knew her well, especially John and Peter. Luke was a follower of Jesus through Peter, John, and Paul s ministry. He was influenced by these three more than the other disciples. He was probably influenced more by Paul since the Book of Acts has a detailed account of Paul s travels and persecutions. Being that Luke was a physician in his time he pays attention to details so as we read, listen to the detail of the birth of Jesus. Listen to the detail God s love and to His delivery of His love to the world. Listen to the love that God gives us today Point 1 Luke 2:1-7 God gave Jesus to the world in difficult times. Teaching Points Jesus was born in a time of Israel being under Roman Control. Jesus was born in a time when arrogant Rome ordered a census. Jesus was born in a time that required Mary (pregnant) and Joseph to travel to their home town of Bethlehem. Jesus was born in a stable for there was no rooms in the Inn. 3 P a g e
Discussion Questions 1- What kind of people ruled over Israel in the days of Jesus? 2- In what ways did the Roman government impose their will on the people? 3- In what ways were Mary and Joseph inconvenienced? 2. Point 2 Luke 2:7-20 God gave the News of Jesus birth when not many were concerned about the Lord s plans. Teaching Points God gave the Good News of Jesus Birth to the shepherds by an angel. The angel also told them Jesus purpose and worshipped. The shepherds went to find Jesus while the area slept unaware. The shepherds told to Mary and Joseph all the angel shared. Mary remembered these things. Discussion Questions 1- In what ways was Jesus birth announced? 2- What did the Good News of Jesus cause the angels to do? 4- Why did the shepherds go and see Jesus? 5- What did the shepherds do when they found Jesus? 6- How do we know that Mary pondered these things? What confirms this truth that Luke wrote? 3. Point 3 Luke 2:21 Mary and Joseph were obedient to God and called the baby, Jesus. 4 P a g e
Teaching Points Jesus would be presented in the temple after 8 days. He would be circumcised at that presentation. The Baby would be called Jesus. He was named in obedience to the angel s command from God. Discussion Questions 1- In what ways do we present our children to God after they are born? 2- What is our process for naming children? 3- In what ways do we obediently follow God s ways for raising our children. IV. Conclusion God gave us great hope with Jesus birth. But God gives a great responsibility to Mary and Joseph throughout Jesus early years. God gives us a great responsibility to not only raise our children but also when we follow Him in obedience. Somehow following Jesus daily leads us to great worship. Look at the worship of the angels, of the shepherds, of Mary and Joseph! If you follow Jesus, look for Jesus, you will find Him and great worship will follow! Will you lead your family in great worship this Christmas and each day? I am sure you will! Reading through Bible Daily: Monday Joshua 18 Tuesday Joshua 19 Wednesday Joshua 20 Thursday Joshua 21 Friday Joshua 22 Saturday Joshua 23 5 P a g e