Context Study: Why the Shepherds?

Ask: What ideas come to mind when you think of shepherds? (Possible responses include: God is called our Shepherd; they protect the flock; they had “dirty” jobs.) Point out that Scripture often relates a shepherd’s task in knowing and caring for his sheep to God’s knowing and caring for His people. Inform learners that, in spite of these favorable images of shepherds, ancient Israelites did not have such a favorable picture of those who worked as shepherds. Say: Shepherds were often labeled as thieves and cheats, and lost certain civil rights because of this characterization. Emphasize that the testimony of shepherds was not even admissible in court because they were generally thought to be unreliable.

Considering this information about shepherds, lead learners to discuss the following questions:

• Why would God choose to announce Jesus’ birth to shepherds?
• From our perspective, who might have been a better group to receive such an announcement?
• How might the shepherds have felt to be the first to receive God’s news?

Conclude by emphasizing that God’s decision to announce His Son’s birth to shepherds demonstrates that Jesus came as a Messiah for the downcast and the marginalized.