Behind The Message EP 3 - Luke 1 & 2

Aug. 17, 2020

In this week’s Behind The Message, our Bible 2020 series kicks off the reading of the New Testament beginning with the long anticipated fulfillment of God’s covenant promises fulfilled in the incarnation of Jesus. Jennifer, Pastor Daniel, and Pastor Mike continue the discussion from the weekend’s sermon about Who Jesus is and our proper response to Him. 

Big Truth: 
Jesus is the Son of God
Jesus is the son of David
Jesus is the King of Israel who will reign forever.
Jesus is Savior who is Christ the Lord.

Big Ideas:
Jesus is worthy of our worship.
Jesus is worthy to be made known among all nations. 

Discussion
Lead Group Members to discuss the following…

In our 2020 Bible Reading Plan, we have turned from the final pages of the Old Testament to the first pages of the New Testament. Keep in mind that while today we simply turn a few pages, during the time leading up to the beginning of the New Testament, God had paused His communication with his people through His prophets for some 400 years. God had spoken on numerous occasions and through various people, but He was now preparing to speak His greatest and most powerful Word to mankind through the Son, Jesus Christ. 

-What Got You? 
Ask your group members to each share a take away from Sunday’s sermon or from the BTM video that got them thinking or doing.

-In the sermon from this past weekend, Pastor Mike challenged us to see that the degree of the certainty of our faith is directly proportional to the place we give God’s Word in our lives...the more priority given to God’s Word, the more certain our faith is in the midst of uncertain times.
 -Do you give priority to God’s Word...either by the time devoted to reading it or by the authority you allow it to have in guiding your life?
 -Share some practical ways that you give God’s Word priority in your life.

-Read Luke 1:32-33, one of the Scripture passages that was used in the sermon this weekend. 
      -  What were the three truths that Pastor Mike brought out from these verses?
      - These truths are in direct fulfillment of God’s covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7:12-13. There were approximately 1,000 years between the time God made the covenant with David and when He fulfilled the covenant through the birth of Jesus.  
      - What does this teach us about God? 
      - Now, read Hebrews 1:1-3. Discuss how these verses give further insight into Who Jesus is and the purpose of His incarnation.

Pastor Mike closed his sermon this weekend with a challenge from the shepherd’s response to the good news of the birth of Jesus. He asked us,…”what are you going to do with the privilege God has given to you by Him having made Jesus known to you?” 

 -Share your answer to this question with your group members.
 -Make a concrete plan for how you will steward the Good News of Jesus’ coming. Share your plan with your group members.