God in a Manger

GOD IN A MANGER (Luke 2:7-20)

OPEN IT:

Go around the room with one person answering the first question, the next person the second question, etc…

1. Where were you living when you were seven years old?
2. What was the weather like around Christmas time?
3. Who did most of the decorating of the tree?
4. What special tradition did your family observe at Christmas?
5. What is your earliest memory of a Christmas morning?
6. When did you open your presents and where?
7. What Christmas present stands out in your memory?
8. What brought you the most joy at Christmastime?

DIG INTO IT:

Read Luke 2:7-20 and answer the following questions:

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.
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.”
13. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14. “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
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.

1.  Why do you think God chose to announce the birth of His Son to shepherds?

2.  What did the angel’s message and the rejoicing of the heavenly host say about the importance God put on the birth of His Son?

3. What do you think the good news, “A Savior has been born…Christ the Lord,” meant to the shepherds?
4. Do you think Mary and Joseph realized the cosmic significance of the child she had just given birth to?

5.  Luke says, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (v. 19) What kind of thoughts do you think were running through her head?

6. What one word would best describe how each of the following felt that day? Mary, Joseph, Shepherds, Angels.

REFLECT ON IT:

1. How do you think the story of Christ is received in our culture?
2. Describe how you would have felt if you had been there when a “great company of the heavenly host” appeared?
3. Do you think you are as receptive to God as Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds were? Would you be if a host of angels came and appeared to you? Would it make any difference?
4. Have you ever had an experience where you felt God was making Himself known to you?
5. How would you describe your relationship to God right now?
6. How can we pray for you today?

PRAY ABOUT IT: “The amount of time we spend with Jesus – meditating on His Word and His majesty, seeking His face – establishes our fruitfulness in the kingdom.” ~ Charles Stanley

Davis, Barry L.. Instant Bible Studies for Small Groups (p. 20). GodSpeed Publishing. Kindle Edition.