This is my outline I used for my last small group before Christmas. Mattie and I decided to run our finial small group of the year a little differently. Instead of just presenting a passage and some framework we decided were going to share more of what we learned while preparing for the small group and ask some thought provoking questions before we go into are usual “what stood out” method. Don’t get me wrong I love the “what stood out” method it gives everyone a chance to talk and, isn’t telling people what is in the chapter it allows people the chance to figure that out on their own before going in a group discussion format. However, Mattie and I felt that each week there are things we learn or notice that we simply run out of time before we have a chance to share them. So to change things up we decided we would do a blanket overview of two thirds of the passage (me-1/3 her 1/3 and 1/3 untouched) before completely opening it up to the group who would indubitably have some insight we did not catch, because the bible truly is living water.
My one third of Luke 1-12
We started, as I would ask you to, by reading the passage slowly and carefully marking anything that might stick out to you. This would include anything that speaks to you makes you curious, or question even seemingly small things like the repetitiveness of a particular word.
Luke 2:1-12 (New International Version, ©2010)
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 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.”
Vacancy for Jesus?
It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that Christmas started out the extravagant winter monopoly, it is today. That simply isn’t the case, as I am sure you notice while reading over the true Christmas story. The birth of our Christ and savior Jesus was not one of famed limelight. In fact Joseph and Marry had to take to the streets after Jesus was born to avoid the evil plot of King Herod.
Matthew 2:13
When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
So not only did Jesus come into a world that did not want to make room from Him, (can someone read Luke 2:7?) but then He and His family was pushed out of their own hometown.
Before we move on, last week we talked a little about apologetics, defending your faith. I want to scratch the surface of that iceberg, by authenticating the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ unwelcomed birth, with a little extra biblical text. Like first, would Joseph really have to go back to his home town? This is an insert from a papyrus found in Egypt that confirms one would have to travel back home in order to register. "Because of the approaching census it is necessary that all those residing for any cause away from their homes should at once prepare to return to their own governments in order that they may complete the family registration of the enrollment and that the tilled lands may retain those belonging to them." There is another ancient inscription found in Antioch that confirms that Quirinius was the governor of Syria in 7 BC. These are just two minor examples, that get straight down and dirty, to insure that a statement is legitimate; you would want to make sure the extra biblical text is creditable, but that’s a whole another story.
Now back to our homeless Savior, Jesus being God in the flesh, could have been born with a silver spoon in His mouth, made out of solid gold even (pause for laughter)… but much like the free will He gives us to turn from Him, He came to this world allowing the world He created to reject Him and outcast Him. Jesus must have been the youngest person to ever have a bounty on His head. You would be hard press to find a fetus that could get into that much trouble. What could he/she have done, a 300 style kick knocking a Prince over a cliff throw the mother’s stomach? Then imagine a little baby coming out with the tiniest little hand cuffs (pause for a mixture of awes and laughs).
Yea it’s funny to think about it in that way, but kinda essentially that is what happened, Jesus was born with a bounty on His heads because He had exponentially growing rap sheet. Well if Jesus never sin how does He have a rap sheet, how can someone not make room for a birthing mother and most importantly what kind of persons tries to kill a baby, I mean honestly? He has an increasing growing rap sheet because he came to bare our sin, and free us of its captivity. Sin is anything thing that goes against God’s will, it creates separation from us and God. We hurt Jesus constantly because we do not measure up to Gods standard, but if He didn’t take the blame then the wrath of God would destroy us all. It’s because of Jesus, that our records are white as snow. Why then could no one around make room for a pregnant woman, carrying the Messiah no less?
Well let me ask you this, do you make room for the Messiah in your own heart, or is He still in a manger on the outskirts of your heart?
A.) What does it look like to make room for Jesus in your heart?
a.) What kind of external actions change, internal?
And lastly why is that man trying to kill a baby? Well as we all know hatters just mean you’re getting somewhere and Jesus came out of the womb accomplishing more than any King ever did.
