Leaders greet your group and do a brief check-in. What are you most looking forward to this Christmas?
As we continue in this journey through Advent- we’re going to read from chapter 2 of the Gospel of Luke. As Pastor Tim pointed out, it may be so familiar to us that we can tend to overlook details so we’re going to spend some time breaking things down a bit. Before we get started, let’s open with prayer.
Take time to read aloud sections of Luke 2, starting with Luke 2:1-7. What do you notice in this portion of the story?
- Leaders, may want to direct the group to Micah 5:2. How does this OT Scripture connect with our reading today?
Continue reading aloud Luke 2:8-12 Take note of the characters in this narrative and list them.
- Is there a character, or characters, in the story that you relate to the most? Why?
Pastor Tim drew our attention to the shepherds. What do we know about them and what they do? Know any other shepherds in Scripture? (See 1 Sam 16)
- For example: ranked low on the social scale
- Were often the youngest, and not well-educated.
Luke 2:9 "An Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified."
the only times we've seen the glory of the Lord are in places in the Old Testament where God's very presence shows up in a supernatural way at a pivotal point in the story.
- Exodus 13 when God's glory leads his people out of Egypt as a pillar of fire by night, and cloud by day.
- Exodus 24 when the glory of the Lord appears at the top of the mountain where Moses brings the law to the people Israel.
- Exodus 40 when God's very presence comes to rest in the Tabernacle. These are huge, significant, pivotal moments where God is doing something so significant that it will reverberate throughout all of history.
(Finish Reading aloud Luke 2:13-20)
What do you notice? Any details that stand out? What questions do you have? For example:
Why the shepherds? Why did he announce it to a group of shepherds? Outside the tiny town of Bethlehem?
If Jerusalem was 10 kilometers away. Why didn't the angels make this announcement at the temple? Or in front of a group of religious people who would have understood the signs? Or in front of political leaders who would have realized that their time was up? No… God appears and announces the birth of Jesus... to shepherds.
John Calvin says, “though God had, at His command, many honorable and distinguished witnesses, He passed by them, and chose shepherds, persons of humble rank, and of no account among men.”
Jesus would later call himself the Good Shepherd. The God of the shepherds. The lowly. The ones on the outskirts of town. The simple, the forgettable, the unimpressive.
- What kind of significance does this hold for us?
- How did the Shepherds respond after this enormous announcement?
So here we are, thousands of years later confronted with the enormity of this story and the fact that it still holds the same life-changing power it did those thousands of years before. So what is our response, as 21st century Jesus followers?
Spend some time in your group talking about how we can worship this year. Share those ideas in the group.
Close in prayer.
“Though God had, at His command, many honorable and distinguished witnesses, He passed by them, and chose shepherds, persons of humble rank, and of no account among men.”
John Calvin
Read
Luke 2:1-20 (divided)
Micah 5:2Review Exodus chapters 13, 24, and 40 as needed
Reflect
How does this account, of Jesus' birth impact my life today? How can I prevent it from being a sentimental story that runs in the background of Christmas festivities?
Do
After discussing ways to actively worship during this Advent season, consider finding something to do as a group -a tangible way of worshipping together. It could be attend one of our Christmas services together, or doing an Outreach project together.