STEP THREE: Teach the Bible Passage

Read Luke 2:1-7. Divide learners into two groups. Instruct the first group to list vulnerabilities that Jesus would have experienced as a newborn baby and the second group to identify the aspects of Jesus’ birth that were humble. Allow two minutes for groups to discuss before calling for reports. Ask: What does Jesus’ vulnerability and humility as a newborn baby communicate in His witness to His humanity?

Remind learners of the miraculous nature of Jesus’ conception and prophetic fulfillment. Discuss:

• How these truths testify to Jesus’ deity? Note that Jesus’ conception and the circumstances of His birth all point to God’s divine intervention and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
• Because Jesus is God and man, how does His birth relate to the Gospel? Emphasize that Jesus’ birth demonstrated that Jesus came as God in flesh.

Read Luke 2:8-12. From the commentary, share why shepherds at the time of Christ’s birth were social outcasts. Discuss:

• Considering their position in society, how do the shepherds give a picture of humanity’s sinfulness? (They were unclean and considered to be among the lowest level of society.)
• What are the implications of the words the angels used to describe the baby and of the shepherds’ response to this news? (The baby is the Messiah whom the shepherds had heard about from a young age; the shepherds believed the angel’s message and were eager to see their Savior and worship Him.)
• Considering the shepherds’ role in society, how does their role in the Savior’s birth give a picture of the gospel? (They represent humanity’s sinfulness and God’s plan to send His Son as the Savior to redeem man.)

Read Matthew 2:1-12:

Discuss:

• What message does the supernatural star reveal about Jesus? (It signaled the supernatural nature of Jesus; that His birth was supernatural; fulfillment of prophecy concerning the Savior.) Note that the sign of the star is just one of the many evidences of the truth that Jesus is God and Savior, seeing as His very creation heralded His birth.
• Since the Magi were Gentiles and yet worshiped Jesus as the King of the Jews, what are the implications of Gentiles celebrating the coming of Christ? (Jesus came to earth with a view of bringing salvation beyond the Jewish people to the Gentiles.)
• What other implications can be drawn of the Magi’s address of Jesus as King and of their worship of Him as King? (The Magi’s response to Jesus demonstrates His position as King of all nations.)