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Lesson Highlight: "shepherds"
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." (Luke 2:8)
In "God's Word for Today", David Fry writes:
The shepherds’ first reaction was fear but it ended with rejoicing. What happened between the moment of fear and their time of rejoicing was their obedience. Of course, one can hardly imagine disobeying such a magnificent manifestation of God’s will. It was not merely hearing the message from the angelic host that persuaded them to seek the Messiah, but also witnessing the great rejoicing of the angels. Soon they too would rejoice. It wasn’t what was happening in the heavens that caused the shepherds to rejoice, but what God was doing on earth, in a manger in Bethlehem. Unlike Mary who kept quiet, the shepherds loudly praised
God for His coming.
The grandeur of Luke 2 is that Caesar Augustus, emperor of one of the greatest empires in history, gave way to a baby in a manger and a moment around which all of history revolves. Caesar had his earthly glory, but Christ received heavenly glory. Ancient rulers sought to be viewed as divine by their subjects, yet the true God became man to be subject to human suffering. Human emperors sought power over humanity; God sought humility among men. The difference is love. The miracle of love is a God who has all power and superiority, yet humbles Himself to become one of us.
Source: Miracles of Jesus, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 18.
Devotional: The Savior's Birth
Read Luke 2:1-7
“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered” (v. 6).
The young mother was desperate. It was the day before Christmas, and she had no gifts for her small children. She had prayed for a miracle. She was discouraged and frustrated — a bit disappointed in God. However, God had seen her need and heard her prayer. That evening, church friends came bearing gifts and food for their Christmas dinner.
As we read the Christmas story, we bask in the wonder and awe of the season because He came to earth to save lost humanity. God worked faithfully to carry out all His plans — to the minute detail! Even having to travel at an inconvenient time, the delay in Bethlehem, staying in a stable, was all part of His plan. No doubt Joseph and Mary wondered, “Why, God? Why right NOW?”
It seems like when it rains, it pours. Troubles seem to multiply until we feel like we are drowning in our circumstances. God sees our needs. He sent His Son to come to our aid! Be encouraged — Jesus came to be the answer for all the troubles we face. God is faithful, he hears and answers our prayers — in His time. (Sue Colburn)
God kept His promise — and His Son, Jesus Christ, came to our world!
This devotional is the Thursday, December 17, 2015 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!
Lesson 3: The Savior Born (Christmas)
Lesson 3: December 20, 2015
Focus Text: Luke 2:1-17
Central Truth: The greatest miracle the world has ever seen was that God loved us enough to take on human form.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to state why the Incarnation was such a great miracle.
Lesson Outline:
- The Miraculous Birth (Luke 2:1-7)
- The Angelic Announcement (Luke 2:8-14)
- The Shepherd's Response (Luke 2:15-20)
Prayer: Lesson 2, Miracles of Jesus
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the power Christ has over death and sin. Thank you for His resurrection power that He works in us, giving us victory over sin. Thank you for the hope we have of life for all eternity. Bless our Sunday school teachers today. Use them to inspire their classes to greater faith in Christ, we pray. Amen.
Effective & Creative Bible Teaching – mintools.com
This page at Mintools.com has a number of teaching resources to help the Sunday school teacher. As a teacher, what do you feel are some of your greatest needs in performing this ministry for God?
Lesson Highlight: "quickened"
"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses." (Colossians 2:13)
In "Word Focus" William Sillings writes,
Colossians 2:13 says two things about our sins. One, being dead (nekrous ontas) uses the present participle “being” to describe our deadness as a continual state of existence. We not only died by sinning once, but we were in a state of deadness brought on by continual sinning and by the nature of sin in our lives. The second thing Paul said is that he quickened [us] together with him. Quickened (sunezoopoiesen — aorist active indicative) means “He made us alive together with Him.” We were dead, but now we are alive.
Discussion: What is the significance of being "made ... alive together with Him"?
Source: Miracles of Jesus: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 10.