Messiah, The Anointed One

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December 10, 2006 - Luke 2:8-20

Open It

  1. What is the most unique birth announcement you've ever seen?

  2. What do you imagine angels look like?

  3. If you could sleep out under the stars anywhere in the world, where would you put down your pillow?

Explore It

  1. At what time and place did the angels appear to the shepherds? (2:8)

  2. How many angels did the shepherds see at first? (2:9)

  3. How did the shepherds react when they saw the angel? (2:9)

  4. To whom did the angel address his good news? (2:10)

  5. What message did the angel tell the shepherds? (2:10, 12)

  6. Who did the angel say the newborn child really was? (2:11)

  7. By what symbol or sign were the shepherds supposed to identify the Christ child? (2:12)

  8. How many angels did the shepherds hear praising God? (2:13)

  9. What was the immediate reaction of the shepherds after the angels left? (2:15)

  10. After finding the Christ child, what did the shepherds do? (2:17-20)

  11. What kind of reactions did the shepherds get when they told others what had happened that night? (2:18)

  12. How did Mary respond to the shepherds' visit? (2:19)

Get It

  1. If you had been with the shepherds on the night Christ was born, what would you have done after the angels left?

  2. In what ways did the shepherds obey God that night?

  3. What should be our response when we discover what God wants us to do?

  4. What does it mean that Mary "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart"?

  5. Of what significance is it that the shepherds went back to their flocks?

  6. What is the responsibility of those who "discover" the good news about Jesus?

  7. Who needs to be told about the birth and life of Christ?

Apply It

  1. In what ways can you renew your enthusiasm for the message of Jesus' birth?

  2. How can you glorify and praise God with other Christians this week?

Notes

Luke 2:8-15

2:8 God continued to reveal his Son, but not to those we might expect. Luke records that Jesus' birth was announced to shepherds in the fields. These may have been the shepherds who supplied the lambs for the temple sacrifices that were performed for the forgiveness of sin. Here the angels invited these shepherds to greet the Lamb of God (John 1:36), who would take away the sins of the whole world forever.

2:8-15 What a birth announcement! The shepherds were terrified, but their fear turned to joy as the angels announced the Messiah's birth. First the shepherds ran to see the baby; then they spread the word. Jesus is your Messiah, your Savior. Do you look forward to meeting him in prayer and in his Word each day? Have you discovered a Lord so wonderful that you can't help sharing your joy with your friends?

2:9-10 The greatest event in history had just happened! The Messiah had been born! For ages the Jews had waited for this, and when it finally occurred, the announcement came to humble shepherds. The good news about Jesus is that he comes to all, including the plain and the ordinary. He comes to anyone with a heart humble enough to accept him. Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life. Don't think you need extraordinary qualifications-he accepts you as you are.

2:11-14 Some of the Jews were waiting for a savior to deliver them from Roman rule; others hoped the Christ (Messiah) would deliver them from physical ailments. But Jesus, while healing their illnesses and establishing a spiritual kingdom, delivered them from sin. His work is more far-reaching than anyone could imagine. Christ paid the price for sin and opened the way to peace with God. He offers us more than temporary political or physical changes-he offers us new hearts that will last for eternity.

2:14 The story of Jesus' birth resounds with music that has inspired composers for 2,000 years. The angels' song is an all-time favorite. Often called the Gloria after its first word in the Latin translation, it is the basis of modern choral works, traditional Christmas carols, and ancient liturgical chants.

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