Bible Stories for Adults

The Presentation of Jesus

Luke 2:21-38

Next Week - The Wise Men and Flight to Egypt (Matthew 2:1-23)

What ceremony did God command for newborn sons to become part of His family?

Leviticus 12:1-3
What was the purpose of this ceremony?

Genesis 17:9-13
How important was it for a Jew to participate in this ceremony?

Genesis 17:14

What kind of circumcision do the members of God's new covenant family have?

Colossians 2:11
What kind of circumcision ceremony do we have?

Colossians 2:12
How important is this ceremony for God's new chosen people?

Mark 16:16

What else happened at a normal Jewish circumcision that happens at a Christian baptism?

Luke 1:59-60

What ceremony did God command for a mother to be purified from her uncleanness?

Leviticus 12:4
Were the instructions the same whether the child was a boy or a girl?

Leviticus 12:5

What was involved in the ceremony of purification?

Leviticus 12:6-7
What was the purpose of the burnt offering?

Leviticus 1:2, 13
What was the purpose of a sin offering?

Leviticus 4:27-31
Why was a sin offering needed after birth? Was it sinful to have children?

Psalm 51:5

What if the family was poor and couldn't afford an expensive lamb?

Leviticus 12:8

What claim did God make of every first-born?

Exodus 13:1-2, 11-12
What example did the Israelites have that showed the full meaning of this claim?

Genesis 22:1-2
Did this mean that every first-born son was to be sacrificed?

Exodus 13:13-16
What example did the Israelites have that showed the meaning of redemption?

Genesis 22:13-14

What was the price for redeeming a first-born son?

Numbers 18:14-16
Is it also important for God's new covenant people to be redeemed?

Galatians 3:13-14
What is the price for our redemption?

Revelations 5:9

Did Jesus' parents obey God's Law regarding circumcision of newborn sons?

Luke 2:21
Did Jesus' parents obey God's Law regarding purification of the mother?

Luke 2:22
Did Jesus' parents obey God's Law regarding consecrating and redeeming first-born sons?

Luke 2:23-24
What is Luke's point by including these verses?

Hebrews 4:15-16, 7:26-28

What do we know about Simeon?

Luke 2:25
Wasn't every Jew waiting for the consolation of Israel? Why was this special for Simeon?

Luke 2:26
Did Simeon just happen to be in the temple when Mary & Joseph brought Jesus?

Luke 2:27a

Did Simeon realize the baby Jesus was the Messiah that God had promised he would see?

Luke 2:27b-29
Nunc Dimittis
What did Simeon claim he saw in Jesus?

Luke 2:30-31
Was Simeon an eloquent speaker or did he plagiarize these words?

Isaiah 52:10

While others looked for a Messiah who would politically rebuild Israel, what did Simeon see?

Luke 2:32
Where did these words come from?

Isaiah 42:6
Isaiah 49:6
Was this universal purpose of Jesus understood by the Jews during His time?

Acts 11:1-4, 18

After seeing angels and shepherds, did Simeon's talk phase Mary & Joseph?

Luke 2:33
What else did Simeon have to say?

Luke 2:34-35

What did Simeon mean that Jesus would cause the falling of many in Israel?

Isaiah 8:14-15
How did Paul explain why many Jews fell?

Romans 10:1-4
What did Simeon mean that Jesus would cause the rising of many in Israel?

Malachi 4:2
Did Paul agree that some Jews would be saved?

Romans 10:12-13
What analogy did Peter use to describe this?

1 Peter 2:6-8

How was Jesus a sign that will be spoken against?

Acts 5:40, 8:1
How would the thoughts of many hearts be revealed?

Revelation 3:15-16
Luke 11:23
What was meant by, "And a sword will pierce your own soul too"?

John 19:25-27

Who else was in the temple when Jesus was presented?

Luke 2:36
What was significant about Anna being of the tribe of Asher?

2 Kings 17:22-24

Why does Luke make a point that Anna was very old?

Proverbs 31:23
How old (and wise) was Anna?

Luke 2:37
How does Paul's instruction for widows help us understand Anna's life?

1 Timothy 5:3-5
Being close to God by her age and temple life, how did Anna respond when she saw Jesus?

Luke 2:38