A Christmas Bible Study "Good News of Great Joy:"
The Book of Luke
DATE: (12/26/15)
Week # 4
Prayer:
Father God, as we take this years' journey brings peace to our land, and the land of Your Son's nativity. Bless Jerusalem and Israel to be safe this holiday season from terrorist. Keep Your angels encamped around them, and bless them not to be hurt, harmed, or in any danger. Your birth, Jesus, is an awesome memory for all Christian who love, honor, obey, and keep Your laws written in the Bible. This world no longer want to celebrate our Savior's birth, but we will continue to honor it each and every day of this earth stand. Help us to stay free to honor and observe Your Word always. Please don't let our freedom be taken away. Our journey is a journey we don't want to take alone. Please stand with us always and forever. In Jesus' Name we pray. AMEN.
Mary's Journey:
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home
Mary understood the nature of the spiritual life that would be present in those who would enter the Messianic kingdom. She made observations in verse 53 that are akin to the statements made by Jesus in Matthew 5:6 (the Beatitudes) regarding the attitudes that would characterize those entering the kingdom He offered, i.e. the Messianic kingdom. Mary was familiar with the Jews special purpose and place in history as expressed in the Abrahamic Covenant (v.55 cf. Gen 12) Mary knew the ultimate future of the Jews (vv. 54-55 cf. Isa 2:1-4; 9:1-7)
Finally, the fact that Mary returned to "her home" (v. 56) indicates that she was still a virgin and not yet living with her soon-to-be husband, Joseph.
The Birth of Jesus: (a recap of his birth)
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary his fiancé who was obviously pregnant by this time. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.
The Shepherds and Angels:
That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior -- yes, the Messiah, the Lord -- has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!"
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others -- the armies of heaven -- praising God:
"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
And peace on earth to all whom God favors."
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem!" Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.
Jesus is presented in the Temple:
Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.
Then it was time for the purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. The law of the Lord says, "If a woman's first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord." So they offered a sacrifice according to what was required in the law of the Lord -- "either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."
The Prophecy of Simeon:
Now there was a man named Simeon who lived in Jerusalem. He was a righteous man and very devout. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he eagerly expected the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
"Lord, now I can die in peace!
As you promised me,
I have seen the Savior
You have given to all people.
He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
And he is the glory of your people Israel!"
Joseph and Mary were amazed at what was being said about Jesus. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, "This child will be rejected by many in Israel, and it will be their undoing. But he will be the greatest joy to many others. Thus, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul."
The Prophecy of Anna
Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, and was very old. She was a widow, for her husband had died when they had been married only seven years. She was now eight-four years old. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about Jesus to everyone who had been waiting for the promised King to come and deliver Jerusalem.
When Jesus' parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom beyond his years, and God placed his special favor upon him.
QUESTIONS/ANSWERS:
1. When Jesus was sitting in a Pharisee's house, a woman brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil to anoint Jesus. With what did she wash Jesus' feet and with what did she wipe them?
She washed his feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair (Luke 7:38)
2. Who was the woman from whom Jesus cast out seven demons?
Mary called Magdalene (Luke 8:2)
3. Who was the wife of Chuza who followed Jesus as he travelled through cities and villages?
Joanna (Luke 8:3)
4. In the parable of the sower, what did Jesus say the seed represent?
The word of God (Luke 8:11)
5. In the country of the Gadarenes, Jesus healed a demon-possessed man by casting the demons into a herd of swine. When Jesus asked the man what his name was, what name did the man give as answer?
Legion (Luke 8:30)
6. What was the name of the synagogue ruler whose daughter Jesus raised from the dead?
Jairus (Luke 8:41)
7. About how old was Jairus' daughter, whom Jesus raised from the dead?
Twelve years (Luke 8:41)
8. When Jesus went in to see Jairus' daughter, who were the three disciples whom
Jesus allowed to enter with him and the girl's parents?
Peter, James and John (Luke 8:51)
9. In a deserted place, Jesus miraculous fed the multitude that followed him, with five loaves of bread and two fish. In what city was this deserted place?
Bethsaida (Luke 9:10)
10. About how many men were fed with the five loaves of bread and two fish?
Five thousand men (Luke 9:14)
11. When Jesus asked the disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" which disciple answered? What was his answer?
Peter; "The Christ of God" (Luke 9:20)
QUESTIONS:
1. How long did Mary stay with her cousin Elizabeth in the Hill Country?
2. Did Mary return to Joseph whom she was engaged to or to her own home?
3. What was the message the angel gave to the shepherd?
4. What is the vast host called that appeared suddenly singing?
5. If a woman's first child is a boy, they must do what?
6. When Simeon blessed Joseph and Mary, they stood in___________.
7. What did Anna called the baby Jesus?
8. What were Joseph and Mary doing when they brought Jesus to the Temple to be dedicated?
9. Jesus was____ with wisdom beyond his years, and ______placed his special favor upon Him.
10. Complete the song of the week "Mary did you know that your Baby Boy would ____ our sons and daughters?"
A Christmas Song:
Mary Did you know
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?
Mary did you know.. Ooo Ooo Ooo
The blind will see.
The deaf will hear.
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap.
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.
Quiz:
From the answers given, select the correct person
1). The father of John the Baptist was
a. Zechariah, b. Zacchaeus, c. Zephaniah
2). Moses' sister was
a. Mary, b. Miriam, c. Milcah
3). Jesus' mother was
a. Elisabeth, b. Joanna, c. Mary
4). The woman who was eaten by dogs was
a. Jocheded, b. Jezebel, c. Joanna
5). A woman who served as a judge was
a. Delilah, b. Deborah, c. Dinah
6). A woman who lied to the church was
a. Sapphira, b. Salome, c. Serah
7). A man who had a vineyard Ahab wanted was
a. Noah, b. Naboth, c. Nicodemus
8). A woman who left her family to live with her mother-in-law was
a. Rachel, b. Rebekah, c. Ruth
9). A young man who had a great Christian heritage was
a. Titus, b. Troas, c. Timothy
10). The family of this priest was rejected by God
a. Elimelech, b. Eli, c. Eliphaz
Reading the book of Luke: Chapters 1-24
Week 4 Luke 10-12
Luke 10:1-24 Jesus Sends Out the 72
Luke 10:25-37 Parable of the Good Samaritan
Luke 10:38-11:13 At the Home of Martha and Mary, Jesus' Teaching on Prayer
Luke 11:14-36 Jesus and Beelzebub, The Sign of Jonah, The Lamp of the Body
Luke 11:37-54 Six Woes
Luke 12:1-21 Jesus Speaks Against Hypocrisy, Parable of the Rich Fool
Luke 12:22-48 Jesus Warns About Worry, Preparing for His Coming
Luke 12:49-13:9 Jesus Warns About the Coming Division & Future Crisis, Call to Repent
Personal reflection question: What does it mean for you to believe God is with you and has blessed and favored you?
