1)Listen to Podcast
2) GG Questions 12/16/2018
Advent: His Ways Are Not Our Ways Luke 2:8-20
1. Contrary to Expectations: How would you design the advent (coming) of the Son of God into the world He created? Think according to worldly standards of greatness (superbowl halftime show, the oscars, presidential inauguration). How did God decide to do it? Why Mary and Joseph? Why a manger? Why announce it to shepherds?
2. Angels We Have Heard on High: Angels play a large part in the Christmas story (just try counting all the angelic appearances!). Did you know that angels get just as excited about this season as we do?! According to Luke, they sing Christmas songs too. Read and reflect on Luke 2:13-14 and then on Luke 15:10 and 1 Peter 1:12. What excites angels so much about Christmas that they just have to sing about it?
3. Good News of Great Joy: The angels appeared to the shepherds bringing “good news of great joy.” What was their good news and what is “THE good news” (literally, the gospel, Rom. 1:16-17; 1 Cor. 15:1-9; Gal. 3:8)? Think about this news in context of the over 400 years of silence. How is their good news our good news too, a people likewise waiting for their Lord?
4. Responding to the News: Observe the reaction of all the characters involved in this story to the amazing events unfolding around them. How did the following groups respond: shepherds (Luke 2:9, 15, 16, 17, 20), angels (vv. 13-14), Jews in Bethlehem (v. 18), and Mary (v. 19). Work through each response and consider if they are worth emulating in your own life and how you might do so.
