Bible Stories for Adults

Jesus is Born

Luke 2:1-20



Welcome and Announcements
    Next Week - God Calls Moses (Exodus 3-4)
    Bible Words to Remember:
      And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger. Luke 2:7

Opening Prayer


When Was Christ Born? (Luke 2:1-3)
    What was Luke's purpose in writing his gospel?
      Luke 1:1-4
    With what facts does Luke begin the story of Jesus' birth?
      Luke 2:1-3

    Caius Octavius - Grandnephew of Julius Caesar, 19 when Julius Caesar was killed (44 BC)
      Fought against Mark Antony for 14 yrs to take over, Won at Mark Antony's suicide
      Given title Augustus in 27 BC (undertaken under favorable auguries or well-omened)
      Brought time of peace called Pax Romana, ruled until 14 AD
    Quirinius (Kyrinios in Greek, Cyrenius in English) - Governor of Syria 6-4 BC and 6-9 AD
      Census in 6 AD led to revolts in Galilee, No record of census during early reign

    What do the other gospels say about when Jesus was born?
      John 1:1-3
      Mark 1:9
      Matthew 2:1
    Herod the Great - Ruled Judea 37-4 BC, Could have conducted census mentioned by Luke
      Jesus was therefore born between 6 and 4 BC, not 1 AD
    Dyonisius Exiguus - Roman theologian around 500 AD
      Said Jesus was born in 753 AUC (Ab Urbe Condita - From the founding of Rome)
      Widely accepted, 1 AD (Anno Domini - Year of our Lord) equated with 753 AUC
        Now understood to be 4-6 years off, Theologians range from 12 to 2 BC

Christmas Day
    What day was Jesus born?
      Dec 25?
    Saturnalia - 3 to 7-day winter festival in honor of Saturn, Roman god of agriculture
      Celebrated at winter solstice (days grow longer)
    Mithraism (sun-worship) celebrated 12/25 as the birthday of the sun
      Roman Catholics began ~330 AD celebrating 12/25 as the birthday of the Son
    When do we celebrate Jesus' birth?
      Dec 25 - Protestant & Catholic, Jan 6 - Eastern Orthodox, Jan 19 - Armenian
    Christmas - Christ + Mass

In the Fullness of Time (Galatians 4:4-5) - Bethel Picture
    Was Jesus born at a randomly chosen time?
      Galatians 4:4-5
    Greek Empire
      Sword
      Greek Pillar
      Greek Letters
    Roman Empire
      Golden Eagle
      White Flag
      Roads and Coliseum
    Manuscript
      Promises
      Dispersions
    Three Figures
      Clasped Hands
      Bowed Head
      Upraised Arms

O Little Town of Bethlehem (Luke 2:4-5)
    Where did Joseph go to be registered in the census?
      Luke 2:4-5
    Why was Bethlehem called the town of David?
      1 Samuel 16:1, 10-11, 13
    Why was it important for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem instead of Nazareth?
      Micah 5:2-4
    Why does Micah call it Bethlehem Ephrathah?
      Genesis 35:19
    How did this prophesy become a problem for people to Jesus as the Messiah (Christ)?
      John 7:41-43

    How was this town's blessing also its curse?
      Matthew 2:16
    Why was this event important?
      Matthew 2:17-18
    Herod the Great - Known for ruthless jealousy
      Had favorite wife and three sons executed - Better to be one of Herod's pigs than his son
      Ordered officials gathered & executed when he died to ensure people would mourn
        They were released instead, leading to a great celebration

    Bethlehem means house of bread. How is this significant?
      John 6:35
    Bread represents a basic necessity of life. How is Jesus our bread of life?
      John 6:32-33

No Room in the Inn (Luke 2:6-7)
    What happened while Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem?
      Luke 2:6-7
    Why was there no room in the inn?
      Luke 2:3
    Birthing procedures in Jesus time:
      Joseph's role
      Mary's role
      Salt
      Swaddling cloths
        Long linen strips
      Ezekiel 16:4-5

The Royal Announcement (Luke 2:8)
    How did the Jews expect their Messiah to arrive?
      Isaiah 9:6-7
    How did God plan to bring His promised Savior?
      Zechariah 9:9

    To whom did the Jews expect the Messiah to be revealed?
      Matthew 2:1-2
    To whom was the Messiah first proclaimed?
      Luke 2:8

Shepherds Tending Flocks by Night (Luke 2:9-20)
    What surprised the shepherds as they tended their flocks at night?
      Luke 2:9
    What did the angel say to calm their fears?
      Luke 2:10-11
    How did an angel calm fears after Jesus' rebirth (resurrection)?
      Mark 16:6-7
    How could the other angels restrain themselves at this great point of God's plan?
      Luke 2:13-14
    How would this baby bring peace to all men?
      Colossians 1:19-20

    How would the shepherds find this Savior?
      Luke 2:12
    How much attention did the shepherds give their sheep after seeing the angels?
      Luke 2:15-16
    How much attention did the shepherds give their sheep after seeing Jesus?
      Luke 2:17-19
    Did the shepherds ever return to their sheep?
      Luke 2:20

God's Promises (2 Samuel 7:12-13)
    What promise to David did this birth fulfill?
      2 Samuel 7:12-13
    What other promises has God kept to His people?
      Genesis 9:8, 11
      Genesis 17:5-6
      Genesis 35:11-12

    Does God always keep His promises?
      Psalm 145:13b
    Through whom does God fulfill His promises?
      2 Corinthians 1:20

    What promises has God made to us?
      Psalm 34:19
      Psalm 34:18
      John 14:2
      Mark 11:24
      Jeremiah 31:3

Closing Prayer



Copyright © 1997 by Kurt Rosenhagen

Use of this material is provided free of charge for use in personal or group Bible Study, no permission needed.
The author reserves all rights for use in published material or in uses where fees are involved.
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kurt@biblestoriesforadults.com


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