BIG IDEA
What circumstances would you expect a prince or princess to be born into? You would probably expect them to receive top care from medical professionals, have a top-of-the-line baby bed to sleep in, and everything in between. This was not the case with Jesus. Although He was the King of Kings at birth, His circumstances were incredibly humble. He was born in a stable and slept in a feeding troth. Make no mistake, His circumstances may have been modest, but His birth was extraordinary. His birth fulfilled many prophecies found in the Old Testament and was a sign that God was rescuing people from their sins.
BREAK THE ICESince we are talking about the birth of Jesus, what is your favorite birthday that you can remember?
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Bible Study Questions
1. Read Galatians 4:4-5. How was Jesus’ birth “at just the right time”?
Galatians 4:4-5
"But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children."
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Why do these verses tell us that Jesus came?
3. Read Matthew 2:1-6. What was the wise men’s response to learning about Jesus’ birth?
Matthew 2:1-6
"Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” 3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: 6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.
"Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:
6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.
4. Read Matthew 2:7-12. What was Herod’s response to learning about Jesus’ birth? How was Jesus’ birth a fulfillment to prophesy to some and a threat to others?
Matthew 2:7-12
"Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” 9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod."
"Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”
9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod."
Application
1. The people of Israel waited hundreds of years for Jesus to come. Is there anything that you are currently waiting for?
2. How does the perfect timing of Jesus’ birth give you hope as you wait?
3. Herod was so caught up in his own fame and power that he refused to worship Jesus as King. Is there anything currently keeping you from worshiping Jesus or that you have been worshiping instead of Jesus?
MOVING FORWARD
The news that Jesus was born to rescue us from our sins is the best news we could ever hear. It is too good to keep to ourselves. Think of someone you can invite to church with you this weekend. Share it with your group. After sharing, pray together for those who you want to bring to church with you. Pray that God would work in their hearts and that they would accept the invitation and experience life change as a result. Hopefully, this is one of the people you have committed to praying for through our One Life curriculum.
Going Deeper
Jesus was often called “Christ” throughout the New Testament. While we are very familiar with this name for Jesus, we often do not stop to think about what the name Christ really means. Let’s take the next few minutes to dive into what it means that Jesus is the Christ and how this name impacts our relationship with Him.
Greek Dictionary Definition for “Christ”Take a look at the Greek dictionary definition for the word “Christ” found in A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Early Christian Literature: “fulfiller of Israelite expectation of a deliverer, the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Christ”[1] Let this definition guide you as you dive into what the Scripture teaches about Christ.
“Anointed One”The dictionary definition we just observed tells us that “Christ” means “anointed one.” So let’s look back at Scripture to see who exactly was anointed.
Read 1 Samuel 16:11-13.
Jesus the KingJesus is, and always has been, the King. He, however, laid down His rights as King and became a servant the first time He came to earth. This will not be the case when He returns. Let’s take a few minutes to compare Jesus’ circumstances when He came to earth the first time and when He will return.
Read Isaiah 53:1-12
This reminder that Jesus is king calls for obedience and total allegiance. Is anything holding you back from following Him as King? If so, share it with your group. What step can you take to let go of that thing holding you back? When everyone has shared, pray together. Acknowledge that Jesus is the King and that you want to follow Him wholeheartedly. Ask Him to help you do this well.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
John 13:34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.
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