A 4 SESSION BIBLE STUDY FOR ADVENT

leader’s guide

I N T H O S E DAYS

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS

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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Session 1: A Decree Went Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12

Session 2: To the City of David . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-20

Session 3: No Place for � em . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21-28

Session 4: Her Firstborn Son . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29-34

By Carol Geisler. Images: Shutterstock. © 2018 by Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, Inc.,

1564 Fencorp Dr., Fenton, MO 63026. 800-325-9414. www.creativecommunications.com. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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Introduction

“Once upon a time.” Those are the words that set the stage for so many familiar fairy tales. � e opening lines of a contemporary science � ction tale might be even more well known in our day: “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.” The account of Jesus’ birth is no fairy tale or imaginative movie script. His birth took place in real time, in real human history, when the ruler of the Roman empire, Caesar Augustus, issued a decree for a census to take place “in those days.” A long time ago, in a garden far, far away, God promised to send the woman’s offspring to destroy the tempting serpent that had brought sin and ruin to paradise. � at’s no fairy tale either. Centuries later, in those days of Caesar Augustus, the time was ful� lled, the promise kept.

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S E S S I O N 1

A Decree Went OutIn those days a decree went out � om Caesar Augustus

that all the world should be registered. Luke 2:1

OPENING PRAYER

Heavenly Father, in Eden you promised to send a Savior, a Helper, the o� spring of the woman, to crush the serpent’s head. Your plan and promise unfolded through human history until the time had fully come. � rough an emperor’s decree, you arranged for the Savior to be born in Bethlehem, as the prophet had foretold. Help us to trust the plans you have for us, and the promise of eternal life that is ours through Christ our Savior, the holy Child of Bethlehem. Hear our prayer in his name. Amen.

Leader’s Guide For Session 1

BEFORE CLASS: Read through this session yourself. Examine the Bible readings listed and become acquainted with them.

READ: Have a member of the group read the Introduction on page 4 aloud.

READ: Have someone read the Opening Prayer or read the prayer in unison.

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DISCUSSION

When do you begin your Christmas planning and decorating?

INTRODUCTION

Department stores start setting up their Christmas decorations in September, or perhaps even in August. You may have been planning for Christmas, too, long before the Advent season as you prepared to receive guests or made travel arrangements. � en during Advent, the decorating, shopping and baking may shi� into high gear—all to celebrate the birth of the holy Child of Bethlehem, our Savior Jesus Christ. We may plan ahead for our celebration, but God’s plan for our salvation was in place long before the bright star shone over Bethlehem. His plan was made, in fact, before the stars were created.

A PLACE IN HISTORY

1. Read Luke 1:1-4. What reason does Luke give for compiling his account of Jesus’ life? What does Luke say about those who � rst told the story of Jesus? What does Luke say about his own credentials as the historian for these events? Read Luke 2:1-2. What information anchors Jesus’ birth in human history? Why would Luke include that historical information in his account? Augustus was called “Lord.” With this historical background, how does God demonstrate his lordship over Caesar?

2. Read Luke 3:1-3. Who is ruling Israel as John begins his min-istry of preparing the way of the Lord? What parts will some of these � gures play in the lives of John and Jesus?

3. Read Hebrews 1:1-4. Luke began the story of Jesus’ birth with the words “in those days.” Now the phrase is “in these last days.” What has happened to bring about the “last days”? Some people

DISCUSS: Discuss the timing of Christmas planning and decorating.

READ: Read aloud or have someone read aloud the Introduction.

A Place in History

1. Luke wants his reader Theophilus to be certain about the things he was taught about Jesus. Those who first told the story were eyewitnesses. Luke has followed everything closely for a while and he is going to write an orderly account of what he knows. [Note: Luke wrote the book of Acts and traveled with the apostle Paul on some of his missionary journeys (see Acts 16:8-10; 2 Timothy 4:11).] • Luke gives the names of ruling offi-cials at the time of Jesus’ birth. Luke wants his readers to have historically accurate information concerning the life of Jesus. God uses Caesar’s decree to see that his own divine decree is fulfilled, the prophecy that the Christ would be born in Bethlehem.

2. Tiberius, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Philip, Lysanias, Annas and Caiphas were ruling in Rome and Palestine. [Note: “Tetrarch” means a ruler of one-fourth of a territory.] Pilate condemned Jesus to the cross. Herod

murdered John the Baptist, who had called on Herod to repent for taking the divorced wife of Herod’s brother Philip. Jesus appeared on trial first before Annas, and then before his son-in-law Caiaphas, the high priest who called for Jesus’ death.

3. The birth, death and resurrection of Jesus ushered in the “last days,” the

period of time before his return on the Last Day. In these verses Jesus is de-scribed as the Son of God, the heir of all things, who bears the exact imprint of God’s nature, who is the radiance of God’s glory and who upholds the universe by his Word. He is superior to the angels.

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believe that Jesus was only a prophet. What do these verses say in opposition to such a belief ? According to these verses, who is Jesus?

BEFORE HISTORY BEGINS

1. Read 1 Peter 1:17-21. Peter writes to scattered Jewish believers. What were the “futile ways inherited” from their fathers? With what “futile ways” do we attempt to save ourselves? When was the Lamb of God known?

2. Read Ephesians 1:3-10. When did God choose us in Christ? What does it mean to you to be chosen by God in this way? What does such choosing say to those who feel that they must earn their salvation in some way? What is God’s plan for the full-ness of time? What do we have in Christ?

3. Read John 1:1-14. What do these verses say about Christ the Word and his existence before time began? How will he be received among his people? What does he give to those who do receive him?

4. Read 1 Corinthians 2:7-10. What was God’s wisdom “decreed before the ages”? How has this been revealed to us? Why is this wisdom so impossible to grasp?

5. Read Genesis 3:14-15. Caesar Augustus issued a decree that sent Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. A� er the fall into sin, what did God decree in Eden concerning the serpent and the woman’s o� spring?

Before History Begins

1. The futile ways were attempts to perfectly fulfill God’s law and so earn salvation. We were ransomed by the precious blood of Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God offered for us. We attempt to save ourselves through our own good works. The Lamb was foreknown before God created the world.

2. God chose us in Christ before he created the world. Answers will vary. We cannot earn our salvation because God chose us to be his own before we were even born, before the world was created. God’s plan is to unite all things in Christ. In Christ we have redemption, that is, forgiveness for our sins.

3. Jesus was with God in the beginning. Jesus is God. All things were made through him. Jesus is the Word made flesh, who dwelt on earth among us. His people did not receive him, but those who do become children of God.

4. The secret wisdom of God decreed before the ages is the message of the cross, of our salvation through faith in Christ crucified (see Paul’s discussion of the wisdom of God in 1 Corinthi-ans 1:18-25). This wisdom is revealed to us through the Spirit. We could never believe that God himself would become flesh or sacrifice himself for us.

5. God decreed that there would be enmity between the woman’s off-spring and the serpent’s offspring. The woman’s offspring would bruise the

head of the serpent, and the serpent would bruise the heel of the woman’s offspring. [Note: If a man chooses to kill a serpent, he will likely crush its head. If a serpent wants to kill a man, he will likely strike the man’s foot or heel. Both of these strikes are killing blows. The victor in the battle will be the victim who rises up when the strife is done.]

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YET TO COME

1. Read Mark 1:14-15. As Jesus began his public ministry, what was his decree or proclamation? What was the time that was ful� lled?

2. Read Revelation 1:4-8. What does Jesus mean in calling himself the Alpha and the Omega and the one “who is and who was and who is to come”?

3. Read Revelation 21:1-6 and Revelation 22:20-21. What decree does God make in these verses? What is meant by the announcement, “It is done!”? What is the Lord’s promise to us, a promise especially meaningful during this Advent season?

4. Read Matthew 28:16-20. What are we to be doing as we await our Lord’s return, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus”? Augustus ruled an empire conquered and held by military might. How will the reign of Jesus be spread throughout the world? In what ways do you play a part in the spread of his reign?

HEBREWS 1:1-3

L Long ago, at many times and in many ways,

C God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,

L But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son,

C Whom he appointed the heir of all things,

L � rough whom also he created the world.

C He is the radiance of the glory of God

L And the exact imprint of his nature,

C And he upholds the universe by the word of his power.

Yet To Come

1. Jesus proclaimed that the time was ful-filled and the kingdom of God was at hand. It was time to repent and believe the gospel. The prophecies made long ago about the Christ were fulfilled in Jesus’ life and ministry.

2. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, the “A” to “Z.” Jesus is the beginning and the end. He was present at creation and all things were created through him. He will be present as Judge and King on the Last Day. He lives and reigns now, he existed before time began and lived among us during his earthly ministry, and he is coming again.

3. God will make all things new, creating a new heaven and earth. “It is done” is the cry that all things have been fulfilled and accomplished in Jesus Christ, God’s plan to unite all things in Christ. Jesus promises that he is coming soon. Answers will vary, but this is our Advent prayer: “Come, Lord Jesus.”

4. We are to go and make disciples of all nations. The reign of Jesus will be spread as the Gospel is proclaimed throughout the world and as people are baptized as his disciples. An-swers will vary, but we might pray for missionaries and support them financially. We can tell neighbors and coworkers about Jesus.

READ: Read responsively the words of the Scripture passage.

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HYMN

(Tune: Divinum Mysterium 87 87 877)

Of the Father’s love begottenEre the worlds began to be,He the Alpha and Omega,He the source, the ending he,Of the things that are, that have been,And that future years shall see.Evermore and evermore.

� is is he whom seers in old timeChanted of with one accord,Whom the voices of the prophetsPromised in their faithful word.Now he shines, the long-expected;Let creation praise its LordEvermore and evermore.

SING: Sing (or speak) aloud the words of the hymn in unison.

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CLOSING PRAYER

Jesus our Savior, we confess you as Lord. � rough your death and resurrection you conquered sin, death and the devil and rule in majesty over all things. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to you. Reign as Lord and King in our lives, during this Advent season and always, until we stand before your throne and praise you for all eternity. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

READ: Have someone read the Closing Prayer or read the prayer in unison.

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MAKE A PLAN

As you make plans for Christmas, include a plan to help and serve others. For example, donate canned goods to a food bank, toys to families in need or join in Christmas caroling at a nursing home or in your neighborhood. Make plans in the name of Jesus, who ful� lled God’s plan to save us.

DISCUSS: Discuss places where food or toys can be donated or plan to sing Christmas carols.

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By Carol Geisler. Images: Shutterstock. © 2018 by Creative Communications for the Parish,

a division of Bayard, Inc., 1564 Fencorp Dr., Fenton, MO 63026. 800-325-9414.

www.creativecommunications.com. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

“Once upon a time” are

the words that set the

stage for many familiar

fairy tales. The account

of Jesus’ birth is no fairy

tale. In this Bible study

for Advent, participants

will see that Jesus’ birth

took place in real time, in

real human history. A long

time ago, in a garden far,

far away, God promised

to send the offspring of

the woman to destroy the

tempting serpent who

brought sin and ruin to

paradise. Centuries later,

in those days of Caesar

Augustus, the time was

fulfilled, the promise kept.

TDLG

I N T H O S E DAYS

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