Week of December 27. 2015; Wise Men Visited Jesus

Session Title: Wise Men Visited Jesus
Bible Passage: Matthew 2:1­21
Big Picture Question: Why did the wise men visit Jesus? The wise men came to worship Jesus as King.
Key Passage: Luke 2:10­-11
Unit Christ Connection: The Savior God had promised was born!

The wise men were magi. Their study of the stars led them to Judea to find and worship Jesus, the newborn King. Before they found Jesus, though, the wise men met King Herod. God had promised the Jewish people a new king—one who would save them from their enemies. King Herod was not that king. Imagine how he felt when he heard about a new king in town.

Herod was furious. He gathered his chief priests and scribes to determine where Jesus had been born. Then he lied to the wise men: “When you find Him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship Him.” What deceitfulness! The truth was, Herod did not want to worship Jesus at all; he wanted to kill Him!

The wise men came to worship Jesus as King. Jesus is the King who will rule forever, as God promised to King David.

Week of December 20, 2015: Jesus Was Born

Bible Passage: Luke 2:1­20
Big Picture Question: Why was Jesus born? Jesus was born to be God’s promised Savior.
Key Passage: Luke 2:10­11
Unit Christ Connection: The Savior God had promised was born!

God’s plan was for Jesus to be born in a manger. A king born in a manger! It was so unlikely. But Jesus was no ordinary baby. He was God’s Son, sent in the most humble of positions, “not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many”.

Savior had come who would be the perfect sacrifice for sin, once and for all. Jesus was also Messiah the Lord. The word Messiah means “anointed one,” especially a king. The Deliverer and Redeemer would be King over His people. And this was all happening in Bethlehem, the city of David—just as the prophet Micah said.

The birth of Jesus was a wonderful glorious day. The angel’s words to Mary and Joseph had come to light. Celebrate Jesus' birth with your family not just today, but throughout the year.

Advent Conspiracy, Week 4: Love All

Week of December 13, 2015: Angels Spoke to Mary and Joseph

In the Bible, God used angels to communicate His message to people. Angels spoke to Abraham in Genesis 18. The Angel of the Lord spoke to Balaam in Numbers 22. Now Mary and Joseph, the earthly parents of  Jesus, each received a special visit from an angel to announce the birth of God’s promised Messiah. The angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary surprised her. By His grace, God chose Mary to be the mother of His child. The angel’s message revealed much about this promised child.

He would be the Son of the Most High. Jesus is the Son of God, and the Lord God promised to give Him the throne of His father David.

An angel revealed Jesus’ purpose to Joseph in Matthew 1:21, “He will save His people from their sins.” The gospel is the good news of what God has done for us through Christ.

Advent Conspiracy, Week 3: Give More

Christmas Eve Practice Video

Week of December 6, 2015: Joseph’s Dreams Came True

Bible Passage: Genesis 42:1–46:34; 50:15­21
Main Point: God sent Joseph to Egypt to save his family.
Key Passage: Genesis 26:24
Big Picture Question: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s plan.

Unbeknownst to Jacob, Joseph had been elevated to a position of power. So when a famine came to Canaan and Jacob sent his sons to Egypt for grain, he had no idea that the journey would lead to a family reunion.

Ten of Jacob’s sons went to Egypt to buy grain. They went to Joseph, who was in charge of distributing the food. Joseph recognized his brothers immediately, but they did not recognize him. Joseph put his brothers through a series of tests. He accused them of being spies.

Finally, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers.Joseph explained why God allowed him to be taken to Egypt. Even though his brothers intended harm, God intended his good. Joseph told his family to come to Egypt where they could thrive.

Jacob’s descendants multiplied. God kept His promise, and through the nation of Israel, He worked out His plan of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Advent Conspiracy, Week 2: Spend Less

Week of November 29, 2015: Joseph Sent to Egypt

Bible Passage: Genesis 37:1­36; 39:1–41:57
Main Point: God used Joseph’s suffering for good.
Key Passage: Genesis 26:24
Big Picture Question: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan.

Jacob had 12 sons. They would become the leaders of the tribes of Israel. But Jacob’s favorite son was Joseph. Joseph was the son of Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife, and Jacob didn’t hide his favoritism. He gave Joseph a gift that his other sons did not get: a beautiful coat of many colors. Of course, this did not endear Joseph to his siblings. Neither did Joseph’s announcement that God had spoken to him in dreams—dreams that revealed that one day everyone in Joseph’s family would bow down to him. Joseph’s brothers planned evil against him, and Joseph ended up in a hole in the ground. Then he was sent to Egypt and was accused of a crime he did not commit.

Did God forget Joseph? No. God was with Joseph, and He had a wonderful plan. God raised up Joseph into a position of power in Egypt. God used Joseph to establish a remnant—a small, surviving group of His people. Centuries later, God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world as part of that family.

God is in control of our lives, and He uses suffering and injustice to accomplish His plans in and through us. We can trust God’s faithfulness. Through all circumstances, God’s will prevails—all for His glory and our good.

Advent Conspiracy, Week 1: Worship Fully