Class Lesson January 2, 2022

5. The Light and Glory of God

Question 1:

What are some things you look forward to 

in the new year? 

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

One of my favorite parts of Christmas are all the lights. Lights on the tree. Lights on the house. Christmas lights throughout the city. My family loves looking at lights in parks and neighborhoods all over our city. Something about lights adds to the celebration of Christmas.

But then January arrives, and the lights come down. In my part of the country, that leaves us with the cold, dreary month of January. It may be a new year, but we drift back to our old ways and habits. We are reminded that darkness defines the world we live in.

We may have taken down all the Christmas lights, but the light of Christ is not gone. Christ came into the world to be the light we need. Light shines brightest in the darkness, and Christ shines brilliantly into our lives, revealing God’s glory and love for us. To whatever you may be anticipating in 2022, add this: let the love of God and the light of Christ shine in your life.

THE POINT

Jesus reveals God’s glory and love. 

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Luke 2:25-27a

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.

We know little about Simeon, the man we are introduced to in the passage, but what we know is significant.

• He was righteous and devout. Simeon is not identified as a priest, a scribe, a Pharisee, or any other type of religious leader. He appears to be just an ordinary Jewish man, but he took his faith and belief in God seriously and lived them out. His love and fear of God were evident.

• He looked forward to the consolation of Israel. “Consolation” is tied to the same Greek word for comfort; Isaiah frequently prophesied a time of comfort, renewal, and hope for God’s people.1 This consolation is tied to the arrival of the Messiah who would comfort the people by bringing deliverance.

• He was guided by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit ultimately came to all followers of Christ (Rom. 8:8-9), but prior to the events in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit only came to select people, such as leaders and prophets. For this reason, some people think Simeon may have been a prophet. 

One thing the Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon was that he would live to see the Messiah—the very consolation and deliverer of Israel he longed for. It was not clear whether Simeon knew he would encounter the Messiah that day when he came to the temple, but as a righteous and devout man, he was obedient to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. For Simeon, a divine appointment was about to take place.

Question 2:

How would you describe Simeon’s walk with God? 

In these few verses, we learn enough about Simeon to know he is the kind of person we should view as a pattern for our own lives. When we seek to live lives of righteousness and devotion, looking to Christ and letting Him fill us with His Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18), we will become increasingly sensitive to the leading and gentle nudging of His Spirit. We rarely know beforehand what “divine appointments” are before us, but we should consider every interruption and interaction we have with another person as having the potential to be an appointment from God. 

Luke 2:27b-32

27b When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

The Jewish law required Jesus to be circumcised eight days after His birth; thirty-three days after that, Mary was required to return to the temple when her days of purification were complete (Lev. 12:2-4). At that time, she was to bring an offering to the priest at the temple. This is exactly what they did (Luke 2:21-24), but notice they also brought Jesus. Because He was their firstborn son, the law also required them to dedicate Him to the Lord and pay the required “redemption price” (Ex. 34:19-20).

When Jesus and His family entered the temple, they encountered Simeon. We read earlier of God’s promise that Simeon would encounter the Messiah before he died (Luke 2:26). That moment was now at hand. We don’t know how he knew to approach Mary and Joseph, but we know he had been “moved by the Spirit” (v. 27a).

This meeting in the temple was a highly significant moment for Simeon. When he saw Jesus, he burst into praise. He could die a blessed man because he had seen God’s promise fulfilled. Simeon was a servant who lived to further God’s purposes, and even now he carried out that purpose as he held the infant Jesus and proclaimed God’s salvation.

 Question 3:

How has Jesus brought light to your life?  

JESUS IS THE LIGHT

Use the acrostic below to record ideas or characteristics that are true of Jesus. 

(An example has been provided.)

L ord

I

G

H

T

“The stone the builders rejected has 

become the cornerstone.”

PSALM 118:22 

 

Simeon’s praise didn’t just point to the Messiah; his words pointed to the Messiah as God’s “salvation.” He knew that he held in his arms the deliverance he and so many other Jews had longed for. But Jesus would not grow up to be solely a Messiah for the Jews, one who would deliver only the Jews from oppression. Simeon announced, “You have prepared in the sight of all nations” (v. 31). On the stage of world history, God sent His Son, Jesus, to be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel” (v. 32). Jews and Gentiles alike would benefit from the Messiah!

What an amazing psalm of praise! Salvation had come to all the world. Jesus is the Messiah and the source of salvation to all who would believe and trust in Him. Jesus would provide a way for people of “every nation, tribe, people and language” (Rev. 7:9), not just Israel, to receive salvation.

Jesus came to be the light of the world. As followers of Jesus, we are called to shine His light around the world. Simeon’s joy wasn’t just because he had met the Messiah. His joy was because that Messiah would be salvation for all the world. 

Question 4:

What do these verses teach us about God’s heart for the nations? 

Luke 2:33-35

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Mary and Joseph were aware that their child was uniquely the Son of God, but even so, they were struck again by the role and mission their infant son would ultimately carry out.

Even as Simeon offered his blessing on the family, he delivered a troubling prophecy.

• Jesus would cause the fall of many. Simeon spoke specifically about Israel. Not everyone would accept the truth that Jesus is the Messiah long prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures.

• Jesus would cause the rise of many. Others in Israel would rise as they embrace Jesus as the Messiah. The word rise is the same Greek word used elsewhere to refer to resurrection. Those who trust in the work of Christ—His death and resurrection—are freed from their sin and resurrected to a new life.

• Jesus would be a sign that will be opposed. Simeon referred to Jesus as “a sign.” This likely refers to the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” How people respond to this sign is a watershed moment. Regardless of the miracles and evidence of His deity, many will do more than reject Jesus; they will oppose Him. That opposition would lead to Jesus’ crucifixion and death.

The truth Jesus proclaimed is often comforting yet also convicting. How we respond to the truth of Jesus reveals the spiritual condition of our hearts. As God, Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves and reveals who we are.

How we respond to Jesus reveals our thoughts. When we accept the truth about Jesus, that belief reveals a heart that will trust Him. And with that trust comes the salvation and deliverance Jesus came to earth to give us. We must decide whether we will trust in the truth of Jesus as Savior and walk with Him, or decide to walk away from Christ and stumble in the darkness of a sin-filled world.

Question 5:

How does Jesus simultaneously cause the fall and rise of many? 

 

 LIVE IT OUT

Jesus reveals God’s glory and love. Choose one of the following applications:

• Remember. Take a moment and think about how Jesus’ life and ministry revealed the light and glory of God to you. How can you remind yourself of Jesus’ example daily?

• Reflect. Consider some people in your life who need to know that Jesus has revealed God’s glory and love. Spend some time in prayer asking God for an opportunity to share the gospel with one of them in the coming week.

• Redeem. Just as Jesus reveals the light and glory of God to us, we are called to follow His example and share the light and glory of God with others. Find a place in your community that needs to see God’s light. Invite some friends to go along with you to minister to that community.

The time comes at the end of our Christmas season for us to take down the lights and return to the dark of winter. But as we do, let’s allow the love of God and the light of Christ to shine in our lives all the more. 

 

Class Lesson December 26, 2021

 

4. The King Who Reigns Forever

Question 1:

What friend from childhood has grown up to accomplish 

something unexpected?

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

Albert Einstein didn’t pass his entrance exam the first time. When he graduated, he didn’t easily find work because he didn’t want to follow the status quo. It must’ve been a surprise when he earned a Nobel prize.

Abraham Lincoln was another man most people didn’t expect to succeed. After all, he failed in several business ventures, and during his service in the military, Lincoln went from being a captain to a private! Lincoln persevered and far exceeded everyone’s early estimation of him.

The work of Jesus exceeded anything people were expecting from the Messiah; although they had expected a warrior to deliver them from their oppressors, Jesus came to do far more than they could’ve imagined. Those who watched Jesus grow up and become a carpenter were likely surprised by His work as an itinerant rabbi. Even to those who knew of the angelic announcements surrounding His arrival, His ministry surely far exceeded anything they expected. Jesus became King of kings and Lord of lords—titles He holds now and forever. 

THE POINT

Jesus rules His kingdom now and forever. 

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Isaiah 9:6-7

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Some celebrate Jesus’ birth on more than just Christmas day, observing a season of “Advent,” a Latin word that means “coming.” They celebrate Jesus’ birth for weeks leading up to Christmas Day. As we reflect on the significance of this season, let’s not leave Jesus in the manger. Let’s use the season of Advent to reflect on God’s promises. Jesus came to the earth for the purpose of bringing us into God’s eternal kingdom. Jesus would grow up into adulthood and show us how to love God and people perfectly. He would be obedient to death on a cross and rise from the grave, taking away the sins of the world and giving us new life. As we celebrate Christmas, let’s celebrate the full narrative of Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection, and reign. 

Isaiah 9:6-7 is a prophecy about Jesus that reflects the full picture of Jesus for all time and eternity. In our second session (pp. 23-24), we looked at Isaiah 9:1-3 and saw that “a great light” one day would appear in the region of Galilee. Isaiah went on to describe how God would bless the people with joy and freedom from their oppressors and establish a new kingdom that would be ruled by a new kind of king. Verses 6-7 describe that king.

The government will be on his shoulders. This is the image of a King literally putting on His royal robes, the clothing that represents who He is and the authority He has.

Wonderful. The Hebrew word refers to that which is supernatural and miraculous. This is the same root word for the miracles that occurred in Egypt (Ex. 3:20).

Counselor. This Counselor would speak advice that was extremely wise. Putting “Wonderful” alongside “Counselor” pointed to a Ruler who would express God’s wisdom in all His words and actions.

Mighty God. This is a common title for God and clearly points to the deity of this Ruler. This prophecy points to Jesus, who won’t just be a mighty man; He will be the divine warrior who fights for His people.

Everlasting Father. We associate this term with God the Father. While we acknowledge the deity of Jesus, the term here refers to the King’s style of leadership. Fathers were the heads of tribes who wisely led the people, and Jesus will wisely lead us forever.

Prince of Peace. Jesus will establish a kingdom of peace. He brought to us the ultimate peace through His death on the cross.

This description reveals both the character of Jesus and how He will reign over us. Jesus points us forward in hope to the day when He will come again. Jesus will come as the eternal King who will bring justice to the nations and establish His kingdom. 

Luke 1:26-31

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.”

Eight centuries after Isaiah prophesied about the coming Messiah, events began unfolding regarding the promised child. The Gospel of Luke records the angelic announcement regarding the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-25), followed six months later by the angelic announcement to a virgin in Nazareth named Mary. Gabriel, the same angel who announced the birth of John, now came to Mary with a greater announcement.

The word angel means, “messenger.” Gabriel’s initial message wasn’t complex, but it was confusing. Surely most of us would be startled if an angel confronted us, especially with such a message. Mary apparently was no exception, since Luke reported, “[she] was greatly troubled at his words” (v. 29). But “the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary.’”

Mary didn’t need to be afraid because she had “found favor with God.” To find favor with God means to be “full of grace.” This phrase clearly portrays Mary as a recipient of God’s grace. Thankfully, it can now be said of all who have accepted Christ by faith and have become His children that we also are full of grace. 

Obviously, God was bestowing a special honor on Mary. Why else would He send an angel to tell her God was with her? Mary was troubled because she did not know why she was favored or blessed with the presence of God.

Twice in verse 27, Luke used the word virgin. Twice he drew attention to the single detail that’s critical to everything else. Luke’s emphasis highlighted God’s role in this event. This was no ordinary conception. Gabriel gave more detail in verse 35: “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” This angelic statement is clear: Mary’s son would “be called the Son of God.”

It is also significant that Gabriel made this statement to Mary about a child she would bear. Mary’s vital role emphasized that this child also would be fully human. Jesus became one of us. He was born, lived, and died as a human being. Jesus knows what it’s like to face tests, trials, and temptations—yet He never sinned. Jesus is the only true Savior because He lived the perfect life we should live before God. 

Luke 1:32-33

32 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

It was incredible enough that Mary, a virgin, would give birth to a son, but Gabriel proceeded to announce the role and character of Jesus. Jesus’ mission was unlike any other mission the world has ever seen because of who Jesus is, what He will do, and where He will be for all eternity. 

He will be great. Of course, most parents think their children are great no matter what they do or who they become. Gabriel’s announcement pointed to someone infinitely greater, for great was a word used frequently to describe God in the Old Testament.

He will be called the Son of the Most High. Most High was a term reserved for God Himself. Not only is Jesus great, but He is also God’s Son. As the son of Mary, Jesus is fully human. As the Son of the Most High, Jesus is fully God.

He will be given the throne of his father David. God promised King David, “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever” (2 Sam. 7:16). Jesus would rule over Israel, but it wouldn’t stop there! He was the One who spoke creation into existence, and as the resurrected Lord, Jesus would sit at God’s right hand.

Because Jesus is great and is the Son of the Most High, He will rule and reign above all forever. When we surrender our lives to Jesus, we receive the incredible privilege of joining Him for all eternity. 

LIVE IT OUT

Jesus rules His kingdom now and forever. Choose one of the following applications:

Reflect: Take a moment and reflect on your life. How do you struggle with humility or being obedient to the Lord? How can you walk more in humility and obedience?

Remember: As you put away Christmas decorations, replace them with a visible reminder of Jesus’ current reign as King, for example: a ceramic church or a small globe as a reminder to pray for missionaries.

Reveal: Thinking about how Jesus is the King who reigns forever, how can you share this truth with someone this week? Plan to share the gospel with someone this week.

Heaven knew who Jesus was from the very beginning and the people of His day eventually were awestruck as well. But one day soon, everyone will see the King for who He is! 

Class Lesson December 19, 2021

 

3. The Savior Who Came to Us

Question 1:

When have you seen a decision by one person 

positively impact others? 

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

Life is filled with decisions that can impact the rest of our lives, such as a job change or a move to another city. After serving one church for many years, my family and I answered God’s call on our lives to plant a church in another city. We struggled leaving a place where God had blessed our lives with an incredible church family, friends, ministry, and life. Leaving all this was hard.

Even as we answered God’s call, a pastor friend reached out to me. The Lord had called him years before to leave his hometown to plant a church. He told me how he had battled with the decision to move, but then he also shared an amazing perspective. God called his entire family, not just him. Years later, all his kids had come to faith in Jesus and were serving Jesus in that same city. I, too, can now say I have also seen my kids come to faith in Christ in our new city.

Jesus made a move too. He moved from heaven to earth, coming to us as a baby. His decision impacts all of us—for eternity! 

THE POINT

Jesus came for our salvation. 

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Luke 2:4-7

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Anticipation of the coming Messiah had been steadily growing among the Jewish people. Living under the oppressive rule of the Romans only fueled that expectation. God had promised King David that “your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever” (2 Sam. 7:16). Luke would later show how Jesus was in the lineage of David (Luke 3:23-38). God fulfilled His promise to David when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, although it was not the royal event most people would have expected, and few people knew of His birth.

Joseph’s connection to David led Mary and him to travel to Bethlehem. A Roman decree required Joseph to return to the town of his ancestors to be registered (Luke 2:1-2). David was closely connected to the city of Jerusalem since he established it as the capital and religious center for Israel, but David was born and raised in the small village of Bethlehem (1 Sam. 16:1-13). 

For such an earth-changing event, we’re given few details about this momentous birth. While we might wish for more details, Luke was inspired to tell us exactly what we need to know: “she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them” (v. 7). Jesus was physically born, and He was born in humble circumstances. 

Question 2:

What details about Jesus’ birth story are different 

than what you would have expected for a king? 

Mary and Joseph knew this was a miraculous birth because of the angels’ words to them (Matt. 1:20-21; Luke 1:26-37). We might wonder how Mary and Joseph felt about such a humble setting for the birth of God’s Son. We should recognize the powerful picture of humility that surrounded the birth of God’s Son. However, even if Jesus had been born in grand fashion in a palace with birth announcements going throughout the countryside, it still would have been a humbling thing for God to leave the majesty and glory of heaven to become like one of us. Yet in coming to earth, Jesus came through an incredibly humble set of circumstances. Jesus was of royal lineage, but he came for all people—the least to the greatest. 

Luke 2:8-12

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Although the world might have missed the significance of the birth of Jesus, the angels in heaven certainly didn’t—and they made sure a small group of shepherds didn’t miss it either. An angel of the Lord appeared and told the shepherds, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (v. 11). As he made this announcement, the angel was joined by more angels: “a great company of the heavenly host” (v. 13). What an incredible experience for these shepherds to see and hear the skies filled with the praise of angels. 

A few things stand out about this angelic announcement:

The announcement was terrifying. As the angel spoke “and the glory of the Lord shone around them,” Luke described them as “terrified.” The word literally means they feared a great fear! We surely can understand that anyone would be afraid if an angel suddenly appeared, but the angel’s first words to the panicked shepherds were, “Do not be afraid.” Although their fear was likely paralyzing, it turned into the kind of fear that leads to wonder and amazement. The first people who were told of the Messiah’s birth were lowly shepherds, not kings or religious leaders. 

The announcement was comforting. Comfort would come in the angel’s opening call not to be afraid. The shepherds would receive even greater comfort as they heard “good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” These shepherds surely carried in their hearts the same longing and hope for God’s deliverance that all the people had been yearning for, and now that longing in their hearts was fulfilled: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”  

The announcement was inspiring. What started with one angel now multiplied to “a great company of the heavenly host.” In his vision of God’s throne, Daniel said, “Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him” (Dan. 7:10). God’s army of angels was now declaring the glory of God and peace on earth. If the shepherds had any doubts before this moment as to the significance of the angel’s announcement, all those doubts now had to be gone.

The angelic announcement was both amazing and terrifying … so simple yet so comforting … so powerful yet so inspiring. 

Question 3:

What does it mean that Jesus’ birth would be good news of great joy for all the people?

Luke 2:16-20

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 

Question 4:

How has Jesus’ birth been good news in your life?

After such a once-in-a-lifetime experience, no wonder the shepherds exclaimed, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about” (Luke 2:15b). It’s also no surprise that “they hurried off” to see the very thing the angel proclaimed.

The shepherds found all things just as the angel had told them. As if the events surrounding Jesus’ birth weren’t exciting enough for Joseph and Mary, here came a group of shepherds bursting with excitement. The shepherds “spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,” adding to the wonder of all the events since Gabriel first appeared to Mary (1:26-38).

After they told Joseph and Mary of the angelic announcement, the shepherds unashamedly shared what they had witnessed and heard from the angel, and “all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” (v. 18). It wouldn’t be hard to connect the birth of this baby with the angels’ declaration of “on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (v. 14). This child, Jesus, would bring to us that which we could never give ourselves: peace.

This peace is peace with God, and though the people then did not know the full details of that peace, years later that peace would come through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Therein lies our hope.

Peace grounded in faith. The only way to receive this peace is by grace, through faith, in Christ alone. This peace cannot be earned (Eph. 2:8-9). Instead, we receive this peace as we trust in the death and resurrection of Christ. His work of salvation for us was the reason He came to earth as a baby! 

Question 5:

What are some ways we can help others know that the gospel message is true? 

A NATIVITY OF PRAISE

Create a kind of nativity set by writing words that describe that first Christmas night. One bubble has been filled in for you as an example. Then write a prayer thanking God for our first Christmas present: Jesus. 

Ex: Awe-inspiring

My Prayer:

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

PHILIPPIANS 4:7 

LIVE IT OUT

Jesus came for our salvation. Choose one of the following applications:

Surrender your life. Now is the time to put your faith and trust in Christ. If you haven’t already, make this the best Christmas ever; speak with a Christian friend or leader about your decision. [Refer to page 2 in this book for help.]

Seek God’s plan. God has a wonderful plan for your life. If you are placing your dreams above His plans, turn these expectations over to Him. Invite Him to make clear His path for your life.

Rest in your salvation. Trust Jesus to cover your past, protect your present, and secure your eternity. If you are struggling to accept peace in one of these areas, pray about it and speak to a trusted Christian friend.

Moving places is not easy for any of us. Surely it mustn’t have been for the Lord Jesus. Yet, He was willing to step from heaven to earth because of His great love for us. Let’s share that with everyone we know!

Teacher Notes:

Click Play to Watch

Charlie Brown failed multiple times to direct the Christmas play and find a suitable Christmas tree, and how he is mocked and rejected by the other kids. State that with only his friend Linus at his side, Charlie Brown cried out in exasperation,

“Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?!”

In response, Linus recites the Nativity story from the Gospel of Luke 2:8-14. “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

 

What holiday would you say is most celebrated?

In a Harris poll: Christmas – 46% / Thanksgiving – 19% / Halloween – 9%

Independence Day – 5% / Easter – 3%

 

Why is Christmas so widely celebrated?

What’s not to love? There are parties, food, and delicacies that we savor this time of year, gathering of families, music, and of course, the gifts. We love the annual traditions. And let’s not forget The Hallmark Christmas movies!

When did Christmas become more about Jesus than all the commercialism?

 

For Christians who bemoan the way so many celebrate the holiday without acknowledging the birth of Christ, the holiday gives us a golden opportunity to lift up the purpose of Christmas. It’s not about the gifts, mistletoe, and Santa Claus: it’s about Jesus!

 

As much as we love Christmas, Jesus didn’t come to earth to give us Christmas. He came to give us Easter.

·      Remember the Harris poll: Christmas – 46% / Thanksgiving – 19% / Halloween – 9% / Independence Day – 5% / Easter – 3%

Without the death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, Christmas is pointless. Yes, Christmas is the celebration of God coming to earth, but to what end? His mission from day one was to be a human just like us (but without sin), reveal God to us, die as the sinless, perfect sacrifice for our sins, and then rise again to conquer death and give us eternal life. That’s worth celebrating! Christmas is only the beginning. Easter is the climax!

 

Let's read... 

 

Luke 2:8-14

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 

 

Why is the angelic visit to the shepherds a significant event in the story?

 

What are good tidings?

• Good tidings of great joy. Good tidings, meaning “good news,” is derived from the Greek word euagglizo, from which we get our English word evangelize. The angel was an evangelist in the truest sense of the word: he was declaring joyous, good news.

 

What is the significance of the three titles given to the baby?

·      He is a Savior, which is Christ (Messiah) and the Lord.  The three titles the angel applies to Jesus are important. Jesus is the Savior who delivers us from sin and death. He is the human Messiah (or Christ) who fulfills the Law and the Prophets, showing that God is faithful. And He is the divine Lord who has entered our world: the Almighty has taken on human flesh; God and man have been fused together in an indivisible, eternal bond; God is truly with us.

 

How would the shepherds know they had found the right newborn?

• Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes. “You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth” (CSB). The next element would be unusual. The angel added that he would be lying in a manger or “feeding trough.” 

 

We are introduced to the incarnation in the Christmas story.

What is the meaning of the incarnation?

·      The word incarnation means “the act of being made flesh.”

 

What was the purpose of the incarnation?

The Son of God came in the flesh to be the Savior of mankind.

• It was necessary to be born “under the law” (Galatians 4:4). All of us have failed to fulfill God’s Law. Christ came in the flesh, under the Law, to fulfill the Law on our behalf (Matthew 5:17; Galatians 4:5).

 

• It was necessary for the Savior to shed His blood for the forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22). A blood sacrifice, of course, requires a body of flesh and blood. And this was God’s plan for the Incarnation: “When Christ came into the world, he said: ‘Sacrifice and offering [under the Old Covenant] you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me’” (Hebrews 10:5). Without the Incarnation, Christ could not really die, and the cross is meaningless.

 

 

Close: In Texas in 1987, a toddler by the name of Jessica McClure fell into an eight-inch well casing. Down she went, becoming stuck twenty-two feet below ground. Once people discovered that “Baby Jessica” was in the well, they took immediate action. They went down to where she was and got her. They did whatever it took. Rescuers worked nonstop for 58 hours to free her.

 

In Genesis, Adam and Eve fell down a dark hole of sin and they dragged all humanity with them. What did God do? He came down to where we were and got us.

 

That’s what Christmas is all about — God’s coming down to rescue us, to do whatever it took to deliver us from sure death.

Class Lesson December 12, 2021

 

Click Play to Watch Intro

Irrefutable: Prophecies That Point Us to Jesus 

The world is constantly searching for answers to the purpose and meaning of life. When people hope in the things of this world, they are left with broken promises and unmet expectations. The world needs a hope that is irrefutable. When something is irrefutable it is impossible to prove it wrong. It cannot be denied, and it can be completely trusted. 

Jesus is that hope. He is irrefutable. 

Each Christmas, we celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ. Hundreds of years before He was born of the virgin Mary, God revealed through His prophets that Jesus would come, live, and pay the price for our salvation. These prophecies, along with the fulfillment of these prophecies, point to Jesus as the irrefutable Lord and Savior of the world. Without a doubt, Jesus is . . 

. . . . God with us

. . . . the Light in the darkness

. . . . the Savior who came to us

. . . . the King who reigns forever

. . . . the Light and Glory of God

. . . . the Ruler who cares for His people

Share Christ. The Christmas season is an ideal time to point others to Jesus Christ. We gain confidence in sharing His story as we see how His life is a part of God’s grand design planned long ago. The birth of Jesus is not just a quaint story we tell at Christmas; it was prophesied centuries earlier.

Irrefutable: Prophecies That Point Us to Jesus 

Session 1 God with Us Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25 

Session 2 The Light in the Darkness Isaiah 9:1-3; John 1:1-9 

Session 3 The Savior Who Came to Us Luke 2:4-12,16-20 

Session 4 The King Who Reigns Forever Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:26-33 

Session 5 The Light and Glory of God Luke 2:25-35 

Session 6 The Ruler Who Cares for His People Micah 5:2-5a; Matthew 2:1-6,9-11

2.  The Light in the Darkness

Question 1:

 

When have you been most thankful

 

you had some light? 

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

A couple mornings each week, I get up earlier than usual for a meeting. In the winter, that means getting up before the sun rises. My wife, on the other hand, does not need to get up as early as I do. Being the good husband I am, I don’t turn on a light, and I try to be quiet and careful not to wake her.

One morning as I tried to leave the dark bedroom for my early morning meeting, my big toe collided with the edge of our dresser—hard. Has this ever happened to you? By some miracle, I was able to cry quietly with tears in my eyes, successfully limping out of the room without waking my wife. I sure could have used a light in that dark room!

Even more importantly, we need a light in the dark culture in which we live. Thankfully, we have that in Jesus. He is the light that Isaiah promised to us centuries before His birth. 

THE POINT

Jesus shines His light into a dark world. 

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Isaiah 9:1-3

1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

Physical darkness can be a dangerous thing but not nearly as dangerous as spiritual darkness. The nation of Judah was living in spiritual darkness because of their rebellion against God. Earlier, Isaiah had described how the people would “see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom” (Isa. 8:22). They would face defeat, but though the destruction and darkness would be great for the people of Judah, they still had hope. Isaiah contrasted the coming “gloom for those who were in distress” of Judah with what God did to the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali. 

Question 2:

In what ways does our world walk in darkness? 

When Israel split into two kingdoms after Solomon’s death, the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, along with eight other tribes, became the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Because the kingdom of Israel had rebelled against God, He allowed the Assyrians to take over the nation around 732 BC. The Assyrians exiled the people and brought in people from other nations to settle. Because these new inhabitants were not Jewish, the region became known as “Galilee of the nations.”

This area also included the village of Nazareth where Jesus was raised. The prophet’s statement that “in the future” God would “honor” this area probably points to the fact that this was Jesus’ hometown. Even though the people had been rebellious and had been “walking in darkness,” that darkness would be swept away by “a great light.” This prophecy saw its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew describes how Jesus fulfilled this prophecy: “Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah” (Matt. 4:13-14).

The people no longer would walk in darkness when the Messiah, who is the light of the world (John 8:12), was born. Satan, of course, would prefer for us to remain in darkness. When we’re stuck in darkness, we can become callous to our sin and pain. We can also become blind to the dangers of this world and can lose sight of God’s direction and purpose for our lives. On the other hand, wherever there is a bright light, all is revealed. We see what was hidden in the darkness.

This is what the light of Christ does with our sin. The light of Jesus exposes our sin and points to a life that is infinitely greater than a life lived in darkness. However, as a pastor, I meet far too many people who have allowed the darkness of this world to limit their perspectives in life. They have either given up all hope of freedom from their sin, or they simply have chosen to settle for life in the darkness.

When we see the great light in Jesus, His ways are far greater and more joyful than the ways of darkness. God’s ways are not a killjoy in our lives—far from it! His ways are the key to joy. 

John 1:1-4

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

The opening verses of the Gospel of John declare that the glory of Jesus has overcome the darkness in this world. John did not hold back on announcing who Jesus is. Jesus is God; “He was with God in the beginning,” and all creation came through Him. Although Jesus came into the world through the virgin birth, Jesus did not at that point come into existence. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have always existed, and they have always been in relationship with each other.

John described Jesus in a unique way: He referred to Jesus as “the Word.” We often refer to the Bible as “God’s Word”—God’s revelation of Himself to us—but Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God. He is the Word who most fully reveals God because He is God! Among John’s original audience, Jewish Christians would surely see this connection, but Gentile Christians likely made a different connection. Greek philosophers used the concept of word (logos in Greek) to refer to both the spoken word and reason. They viewed the physical world they could see as a poor reflection of a perfect reality. Because Jesus is “the Word,” Gentile believers would see that Jesus is the one who came to enable them to see what is real and true. 

 

LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

Circle the words from Isaiah 9:1-3 that describe the seeming-hopelessness of the land on which the promised King would shine. Then answer the questions.

gloom  distressed  humbled  honor  darkness

dawn  harvest  rejoicing  joy

In what area of your life do you currently feel tempted toward hopelessness? 

Write a sentence that could turn that situation into a prayer of hope in God in the coming week:

“The nearer you take anything to the light, the darker its spots will appear; and the nearer you live to God, the more you will see your own utter vileness.”

ROBERT MURRAY M’CHEYNE

We desperately need this Word! In the Book of Genesis, Adam and Eve enjoyed the light and privilege of walking with God. Unfortunately, they sinned against God, and that sin brought separation—a separation that was passed down to all humanity. With that separation comes ignorance, darkness, and even death. Isaiah had prophesied that light was coming into this world, and John now proclaimed that the Word—Jesus!—is that light.

In Christ, we have the privilege and joy of being “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14-16)—reflecting the light of Christ to those around us. That is critical because only the gospel of Jesus can truly shine light in this dark world. He is the light of the world, and He alone offers the life change we truly need. When you surrender your life to Christ, you receive His light and join with His church in being the light of the world. 

Question 3:

What are the practical implications 

of Jesus being the Light of men?

John 1:5-9

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

It is extremely difficult—even impossible—to enjoy a view or even know what we’re looking at without light. A good light will help us clearly see the map of a trail, the trail itself, and any potential dangers.

Wherever we have light, that light brings understanding. We need light, truth, and understanding to live. Thankfully, Jesus is that light shining in the darkness. His light exposes how things really are: the sin in our lives, the evil in the world, and the way out of that darkness. Once things become visible, the ways of God are easier to understand. It’s impossible for us to truly know and understand the ways of God and the abundant life He has for us without the light of Christ in our lives. 

Question 4:

What are some ways Jesus has been 

the light in your life?

God raised up John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus and to point people to the light of Christ. Like the Old Testament prophets who were commissioned by God for special assignments with specific messages, John’s message was all about the light of the Messiah. Shortly after John’s birth, his father Zechariah prophesied that his son would “go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,” proclaiming the light and salvation of Christ (Luke 1:76-77).

When God sent Jesus into this world, He proved He had heard our cries in the darkness and loved us enough to save us from it. In Jesus, we can live in the light. Those who believe in Jesus are commanded to walk in His light. As we walk in the light, we declare Christ to the world. Much like John the Baptist had a mission to shine the light of Christ, so do we. God loves the world and desires for everyone to enjoy His salvation and light; He works through us to reflect that salvation and light to others. 

Question 5:

What opportunities exist for our group to display 

the light of Christ in our community?

LIVE IT OUT

Jesus shines His light into a dark world. Choose one of the following applications:

See the light. Don’t deny the darkness around you. Make a list of the darkness in your life, community, and world. Then acknowledge the need for light and thank God for sending this Light into the world.

Share the light. Don’t try to navigate your life in the dark. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Rely on God’s Word (Scripture) and the Word made flesh (Jesus) as you look for opportunities to share the gospel this week.

Shine the light. Choose a local ministry such as a food pantry. Gather friends to volunteer with you. Lead your group in a time of prayer emphasizing the opportunity to show the light of Jesus to your community.

Many of us have stumbled in the darkness—and we have the bruises to show for it! But all of us know what it is like to walk in spiritual darkness. Thankfully Jesus has come to lead us out of that darkness and into His light.

Teacher Notes:

The Point: Jesus shines His light into a dark world.

The Passages: Isaiah 9:1-3; John 1:1-9

 

What are the purposes of light?

• To see, to reflect, to warm, to lift, to expose, to provide revelation (make something known), to show truth, to give clarity

 

Have you ever noticed that when someone pulls out a cell phone in a movie theater, your eyes immediately go from the movie screen to the phone? That’s because we’re drawn toward the light.

 

Today we are introduced to Jesus being the light that shines into a dark world. And once again, Isaiah tells us these things hundreds of years before it would come to pass. Isaiah is a major prophet in the deepest sense of the phrase. One evidence of this is that the New Testament writers quote from Isaiah more than any other Old Testament book.

Dozens of Messianic prophecies come from the pages of Isaiah.

• Last week, we were introduced to the virgin birth, and Jesus being Immanuel/God with Us.

 

Isaiah 9:1-3

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan.  The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

 

Why were people walking in darkness? What is spiritual darkness? Why would anyone choose to remain in spiritual darkness?

 

Physical darkness can be a dangerous thing but not nearly as dangerous as spiritual darkness. The nation of Judah was living in spiritual darkness because of their rebellion against God. Earlier, Isaiah had described how the people would “see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom” (Isa. 8:22). They would face defeat, but though the destruction and darkness would be great for the people of Judah, they still had hope. Isaiah contrasted the coming “gloom for those who were in distress” of Judah with what God did to the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali.

 

When Israel split into two kingdoms after Solomon’s death, the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, along with eight other tribes, became the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Because the kingdom of Israel had rebelled against God, He allowed the Assyrians to take over the nation around 732 BC. The Assyrians exiled the people and brought in people from other nations to settle. Because these new inhabitants were not Jewish, the region became known as “Galilee of the nations.”

This area also included the village of Nazareth where Jesus was raised. The prophet’s statement that “in the future” God would “honor” this area probably points to the fact that this was Jesus’ hometown. Even though the people had been rebellious and had been “walking in darkness,” that darkness would be swept away by “a great light.” This prophecy saw its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew describes how Jesus fulfilled this prophecy: “Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah.” (Matt. 4:13-14)

 

When I think of a great light – I think of the star the wise men followed to find Jesus.

 

When I think of a great light – I think of the heavenly host of angels that announced to the shepherds that Jesus – the hope and light of the world had been born.  

 

What aspects of our culture need the bright light of Jesus?

• All the evil that exists today – just want it to be exposed

John 1:1-4

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

 

How does Jesus bring light into your world?

 

The opening verses of the Gospel of John declare that the glory of Jesus has overcome the darkness in this world. John did not hold back on announcing who Jesus is. Jesus is God; “He was with God in the beginning,” and all creation came through Him. Although Jesus came into the world through the virgin birth, Jesus did not at that point come into existence. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have always existed, and they have always been in relationship with each other. (Think about that for a moment)

 

God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have always existed – Why?

• Christ, the eternal Word, is God. The Word is preexistent, coexistent, eternal, and equal with God. Christ as the Word was an agent of creation.

 

How should we understand the “Word” described in these verses?

John described Jesus in a unique way: He referred to Jesus as “the Word.” We often refer to the Bible as “God’s Word”— God’s revelation of Himself to us — but Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God. He is the Word who most fully reveals God because He is God!

We desperately need this Word! In the Book of Genesis, Adam and Eve enjoyed the light and privilege of walking with God. Unfortunately, they sinned against God, and that sin brought separation—a separation that was passed down to all humanity. With that separation comes ignorance, darkness, and even death. Isaiah had prophesied that light was coming into this world, and John now proclaimed that the Word — Jesus! — is that light.

  

In Christ, we have the privilege and joy of being “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14-16)—reflecting the light of Christ to those around us. That is critical because only the gospel of Jesus can truly shine light in this dark world. He is the light of the world, and He alone offers the life change we truly need. When you surrender your life to Christ, you receive His light and join with His church in being the light of the world.

 

What are the practical implications of Jesus being the Light of men?

 

 

 

 

 

John 1:5-9

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.  He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

 

How does the light of Jesus illuminate a person’s understanding?

 

God sent a man named John.

John 1:6, "There was a man sent from God whose name was John."

 

Why Introduce John Here?

Why does John, the writer of this gospel, introduce John the Baptist like this right here? It seems abrupt. Verse 5 is talking about the light shining in the darkness and the darkness not overcoming it, and verse 9 goes on to talk about the light coming into the world. And verses 6–8 seem like an interruption. Why not get Jesus all the way introduced, and then introduce John the Baptist?

 

Well, John could have written it that way. But he didn't. And the effect of the way he did write it is to make crystal clear from the very outset that God's way of letting the light of Christ shine in the world is by human witnesses. God's way of pushing back the darkness is by human witnesses.

And Jesus said there wasn't a greater man who ever lived (Luke 7:28).

Be ready and open to God's call on your life to send you to bear witness to the light; and be ready and open to recognize the word of God to you when it comes from others that God has sent to you.

 

The way God uses people to spread the light is by their testimony.

 

Jesus gives light to everyone.

• God sends out witnesses to testify about the truth of Jesus. Jesus, as the Light, came to shine into the life of everyone who would believe in Him.

 

1.    Bear Witness

The role of a witness is to answer questions truthfully and give an honest account of what they have seen and heard. As Christians, we can be light in the darkness by responding to non-believers with truth and testifying to what God has done. Remember, it is not our job to make people believe, but to share the truth boldly and lovingly.

What do you know to be true about the Lord Jesus Christ?

What has He done in your own life?

 

These are essential questions that you need to be able to answer. Answering these questions prepares you to testify to the truth and to be light. John bore witness to Jesus because he knew without a doubt Who Jesus was and what He would do for the world.

 

2.    Follow Jesus' Commands (John 8:12)

When you choose to follow the commands of the Lord and reject the ways of the world, others will notice. Especially when you hold fast to what is true, your light will shine. Though people may reject it, there will be some who are drawn in, curious as to why you live differently.

The challenge for us is to keep our eyes on the One we follow. For the moment we take our eyes off of the Savior, we will be tempted to slip into the darkness of the world. Just as Jesus set his face like flint toward the redeeming cross, we too must set our faces like flint toward the Redeemer.

The Bible says that if we claim to be in communion with the Lord, but walk in darkness, we are not practicing the truth. My prayer is that we will take Jesus’ commands seriously and live as light in the darkness by walking in obedience.

 

3.    Put Yourself Out There (Matthew 5:14-16)

It can be a little scary thinking about shining the light of Jesus for all to see. It’s much safer to casually mention Him, in hopes of not offending anyone. However, Jesus proclaimed in Matthew 5 that His disciples were the light of the world. They were not to remain hidden. They were called to shine their light as a city set on a hill.

We are Jesus’ disciples too. We’re not meant to stay tucked away in our protected corner of the world. We are to boldly let our light shine before men!

 

 

Close: This is the message found in the story of Christmas, a message of light and truth to be shared and rejoiced in. Rejoice that in Jesus, God revealed Himself and made it possible for us to be rescued from the darkness of our sin. He is the Light who has come.

Ultimately, each of us is called to be light in the darkness. That doesn’t have to scare us. Most of us can remember a time when we walked in darkness ourselves. And from that experience, we know how strongly it contrasts to walking in the light of the Lord.

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8)

 

 

As Christmas Day approaches, what will you do as part of this season’s celebration to create opportunities to celebrate Jesus as the Light who shines in darkness?