Message: Leap for Joy
Speaker: Tim Bounds
God didn't save us from a distance.
Luke 2:6-14
Matthew 1:18-23
Isaiah 7:14
Luke 1: 5-41
Colossian 1:13-20
Revelation 19:1-5
REFLECT
The name Immanuel first appeared in Isaiah 7:14 as part of a prophetic word from Isaiah. The name appears in the New Testament in Matthew 1:18-23
Read the above verses and discuss the prophecy and the fulfillment.
Read Luke 2:8-14
The angle that appeared to the shepherds told them not to fear, that good news was being brought to them.
What was the good news?
What was the sign?
What happened after the angle told these things to the shepherds? (Verse 13)
Multitude - in the Greek - plethos - meaning, a crowd, host, great number.
What happened in Verse 14?
Is this good news still worthy of that type of celebration today?
Discuss a time when you received news that caused you to celebrate.
How do we celebrate the good news of Christ's birth today?
1. Quietly
2. With shouts of joy in singing and worship
Read: Luke 1:39-40
Discuss the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth.
Who was told of Elizabeth's upcoming pregnancy? Luke 1:5-25
How was Mary told of her upcoming pregnancy? Luke 1:26-38
Discuss what happened when Mary went to visit Elizabeth.
Who was the first to express joy of Christ's birth?
Luke gives us the details and the excitement of the events leading up to Messiah's birth -
Do we react like the baby in Elizabeth's womb?
Discuss the following:
1. We handle news differently - we are either pessimistic or optimistic. - Which one are you?
2. We are not aware of how big the story of Christ's birth is, therefore, we are not filled with wonder. True or False
Name some of the Traditional ways we celebrate Christ's birth that have caused us to just go through the motions.
What can we do differently this year to celebrate in a way that will cause us to be like the angles were - to have excitement - to worship and sing?
Incarnation: "en-fleshment or embodiment in flesh"
Jesus was fully God and Fully man -
What is the miracle of incarnation and why does it matter?
How did God provide salvation for us?
Read and discuss: Colossians 1:13-20
DO
Discuss how you will celebrate Christ's birth differently this year.
Go Deeper
Look up the following verse and discuss another time there will be a multitude in heaven rejoicing.
Revelation 19:1-5