For hundreds of years, the Israelites waited for the promised Savior, the Messiah, who would come and rescue them. Finally, at just the right time, Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah, was born. Although Jesus is the King of all kings and the Son of God, He was born in the humblest circumstances. He was born in what we would call a stable today, a place where animals were housed. He was wrapped in strips of cloth and laid to sleep in a feeding trough for animals. The humility surrounding His birth was carried throughout His life on earth, which was marked by sacrifice and service in order to rescue humanity from sin. Because Jesus is our Savior and we follow Him, we, too, must model this same humility.
Share one of your favorite Christmas memories.
1. What circumstances would you have expected the coming Messiah to be born into?
2. Read Luke 2:1-7. What stands out to you about the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth?
Luke 2:1-7
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 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. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
3. Read Luke 2:8-30. What is significant about God's choice to choose shepherds to be the first to announce the birth of Jesus to?
Luke 2:8-20
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
4. Read Philippians 2:3-11. Describe the humility that Jesus showed, according to this passage of Scripture.
Philippians 2:3-11
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
1. What does it look like in today’s world to model the same humility as Jesus?
2. What holds people back from modeling Jesus’ example of humility?
3. What is the result of modeling Jesus’ humility?
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus together, we must also think about the people who need to be reminded of His love and serve them the way that Christ modeled humility and service while He was on this earth. Who in your life needs the hope of Christ? How can you serve them this week? Share that with your group, and commit to taking the steps to serve them over this next week.
One place where Jesus's model of humility can be clearly seen is in John 13. This passage of Scripture takes place shortly before His death on the cross for the sins of the world, as He shared a last meal with His disciples. Let's take a look at how Christ exhibited humility and called His followers to live the same way.
Although Jesus was (and is) the King of kings and deserves all of the honor and praise, He did not call the people around Him to serve Him. Instead, He served. Perhaps one of the most profound acts of service He demonstrated was in John 13, when He knelt and washed His disciples' feet.
1. Read John 13:1-11.
John 13:1-11
Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. 6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” 8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” 9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” 10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
2. Why were Jesus’ disciples shocked by His actions?
3. What did Jesus demonstrate by His actions in this passage of Scripture?
4. What motivated Jesus’ actions in this passage of Scripture? (Hint: See verse 1.)
After modeling service and love for His disciples, Jesus explained that He had set an example for them and the rest of His followers. After all, if He is our King, and He is, it stands to reason that we would pay attention to the way He humbly served and loved those around Him.
1. Read John 13:12-15.
John 13:12-15
12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.
2. What did Jesus’ disciples call Him, based on this passage of Scripture? What is significant about the names His disciples called Him?
3. Why did Jesus wash His disciples’ feet?
4. What was the reasoning behind Jesus’ command to follow His example?
After modeling humility, service, and love to His disciples, Jesus told His disciples that they were to follow His example. He had taken on the role of a servant, and they were not above the role of a servant. We are not either. As a result, we must live and serve in humility that same way.
1. Read John 13:31-35.
John 13:31-35
31 As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. 32 And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will give his own glory to the Son, and he will do so at once. 33 Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
2. How did Jesus redefine love in this passage of Scripture?
3. What is the result of loving and serving the people around us, according to this passage of Scripture?
4. What does it look like in today’s world to model Christ-like love?
Take a few moments to brainstorm one specific, measurable, and attainable way that you can follow Jesus’ example of humility. Then, share that way you can follow His example of humility with your group. After everyone has shared, pray together for the courage to take the steps that you all shared so that you can humbly follow Christ’s example and make Him known to those around you.
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