Adult Sunday School Lesson

Zoom Sunday School Classes

Meeting ID: 848-9423-0612
Pass Code: 669872
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84894230612?pwd=Zk1ESitzbGZwTlJyV21UZXY5aTVPZz09

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2024 

December 1, 2024

The Ancestry of God (Jesus’ Ancestry)
Printed Text: Ruth 4:9-17; Luke 3:23, 31-32
Devotional Reading: Galatians 4:1-7
Bible Background: Ruth 1-4, Luke 3:23-38

 December 8, 2024

Born in the City of David (Savior’s Birth)
Printed Text: Luke 2:1-16
Devotional Reading: Micah 5:1-6
Background: Luke 2:1-20 

December 15, 2024

The Prophet Who Prepares the Way (A Father’s Prophecy)
Printed Text: Luke 1:67-80
Devotional Reading: Luke 1:5-17
Background: Luke 1:5-23, 57-80

December 22, 2024

Born in the City of David (Savior’s Birth)
Printed Text: Luke 2:1-16
Devotional Reading: Micah 5:1-6
Background: Luke 2:1-20 

December 29, 2024

Zoom Sunday School Classes – 1 December 2024 at 09:00 AM EST
Meeting ID: 848-9423-0612
Pass Code: 669872
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84894230612?pwd=Zk1ESitzbGZwTlJyV21UZXY5aTVPZz09

The Ancestry of God (Jesus’ Ancestry)
Printed Text: Ruth 4:9-17; Luke 3:23, 31-32
Devotional Reading: Galatians 4:1-7
Bible Background: Ruth 1-4, Luke 3:23-38

AIM FOR CHANGE:

RECOUNT how Boaz respected the standards of his community;

REFLECT on the need to care for others in our communities; and

DETERMINE to help care for others in our communities.

KEEP IN MIND:

“The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, "A son has been born to Naomi." They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.“ (Ruth 4:17, NRSV)

BACKGROUND:

Boaz was very kind to Ruth; he provided protection for her while she worked in the fields.  He went beyond what the "gleaning laws" required in that Boaz told his workers to pull wheat from the sheaves and leave this for Ruth to glean.  Ruth worked from sunup to sundown gleaning in the fields to provide for herself and Naomi.  One day's work yielded a week's worth of barley because of her effort and Boaz's kindness.

Naomi told Ruth that Boaz was a relative.  She wanted Ruth to have a secure future, so she put a plan in motion (Ruth 3:1-5).  This plan depended on Boaz adhering to the Israelites' traditions and laws regarding a kinsman-redeemer.  This was perhaps the only hope Ruth had of a new life among her mother-in-law's people.

LESSON COMMENTARY:

Acceptance and Redemption (Ruth 4:9-10, NRSV)

⁹ Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, "Today you are witnesses that I have acquired from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon.
¹⁰I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, the wife of Mahlon, to be my wife, to maintain the dead man's name on his inheritance, in order that the name of the dead may not be cut off from his kindred and from the gate of his native place; today you are witnesses."

The kinsman removed his shoe and gave it to Boaz (verses 7-8).  Among the Israelites, handing over your shoe symbolized the transfer of the owner's purchasing right.  The kinsman's act was done in the presence of the 10 elders who acted as witnesses to confirm the transaction.

Boaz willingly took ownership of the land and the right to marry Ruth.  He announced this to the elders and all who were present at the gate of the city.  He had legally acquired from Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and his two sons (verse 9).  Boaz paid the value of the land to Naomi.  Even though the widow of Chilion, Orpah, was still living, she had no claim on the land.  She had returned to her homeland of Moab and consequently may have remarried or renounced all rights to an inheritance with the family of Elimelech.  The eldest son of Naomi was Mahlon; therefore, he had full rights to his father's estate.  The inheritance always went to the eldest son.  Since Mahlon and his brother were dead, the estate was Naomi's.

Boaz also announced he had acquired the right to take Ruth, Moabitess and widow of Mahlon, to be his wife (verse 10).  The marriage was a conditional aspect for whoever purchased the land.  Since Ruth had turned from the false gods of the Moabites to trusting in the God of Israel (1:16; 2:12), Boaz could marry her and remain in good standing with the Israelite community.  Boaz also was impressed by her loyalty, kindness, and generosity to others.

As Boaz pointed out in 4:10, the marriage had an additional, important result.  Mahlon and his family's name would continue to be part of the land and the town.  The city register would include his name.  All the people and elders gathered that day were witnesses to all that was done.

Our knowledge of this family's connections to one another and their community increases in significance later on.  Ruth and Boaz were married.  She conceived a son whom they named "Obed," which meant "servant."  Ruth and Boaz gave the world the grandfather of David, a descendant of our Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5-6).  Jesus Christ redeemed us by offering His life as a ransom for our sins.  God loved and cared for us so much that He gave up His Son on our behalf.

The Marriage (Ruth 4:11–17, NRSV) 

¹¹Then all the people who were at the gate, along with the elders, said, "We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your house like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you produce children in Ephrathah and bestow a name in Bethlehem;
¹²and, through the children that the LORD will give you by this young woman, may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah."
¹³So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the LORD made her conceive, and she bore a son.
¹⁴Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel!
¹⁵He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him."
¹⁶Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse.
¹⁷The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, "A son has been born to Naomi." They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.

When Ruth returned home that evening from gleaning, she told Naomi about her encounter with the landowner.  When Naomi heard the name of Ruth’s benefactor, she was overjoyed.  “That man is our close relative: he is our kinsman redeemer” (v. 20, NIV).  Boaz’ relationship as their kinsman redeemer meant that he was required to provide for the needs of his poor relatives (see Leviticus 25:47–49).  The godly Boaz fulfilled this obligation by marrying Ruth and buying the land once owned by Elimelech, Naomi’s deceased husband (3:9).

Boaz is described as, “a mighty man of valor” (the word for wealth can also be translated “valor” [2:1]).  Ruth is described as, a “woman of virtue” (3:11).  In both cases, the emphasis is on the quality of their character.  It is the quality of character that they both possess which makes them a perfect match for each other and results in their eventual marriage.

Ruth had not gone to the field seeking a husband, and Boaz was not looking for a wife. It was the hand of God that brought the two together, demonstrating that it is better to be the right mate than to look for the right mate.

On the road to Bethlehem, Naomi had explained to Ruth the virtual impossibility of the young woman marrying again in Bethlehem (1:11–13).  Yet Ruth had insisted on going with her anyway.   Ruth is the wife of a kind, godly man who is wealthy to boot.  And God has blessed her with a son!

Naomi had returned to Bethlehem empty and bitter, bearing the evidence of God’s disfavor (1:20–21).  After initially greeting her, the women of the town had shunned her.  Now the same women are seeing the evidence of God’s favor in her life and voice their approval.  The women bless God for Naomi’s good fortune: “Praise be the Lord who this day has not left you without a kinsman redeemer.  May he become famous throughout all Israel” (4:14, NIV).  The birth of her grandson has provided a kinsman to redeem her from poverty.  Until the child reaches adulthood, the responsibility will be taken up by the baby’s father, Boaz.

Ruth also receives praise from the women.  When she first arrived, the women had ignored her as they greeted Naomi.  Now these same women praise her as being better for Naomi than if God had blessed Naomi with seven sons (v. 16).

The story of Ruth ends with the naming of the infant son and the genealogy of the family.  The son, whose name was Obed, had a son whose name was Jesse.  Jesse had a son whose name was David.  David became the king of Israel, a man after God’s own heart.

The concept of the kinsman-redeemer points to the ministry of Christ.  The kinsman-redeemer must be related by blood to those he redeems (Deuteronomy 25:5, 7–10; cf. John 1:14).  He had to be able to pay the price of redemption (Ruth 2:1; cf. 1 Peter 1:18–19), and he had to be willing to pay the price (Ruth 3:11; cf. John 10:18).  Like Boaz, Christ met all these criteria and is thus eminently qualified to be the kinsman-redeemer of all God’s people.

Ruth’s story is much more than God showing divine favor to two unfortunate women.  Through the union of Ruth and Boaz, God continues His plan to bestow His grace on all humankind.  It is through this royal bloodline that God’s only begotten son, Jesus Christ, would come.

Christ's Ancestry: (Luke 3:23, 31-32, NRSV) 

²³Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his work. He was the son (as was thought) of Joseph son of Heli,
³¹son of Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David,
³²son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Sala, son of Nahshon,

Ancestry was very important to the Jewish people.  They traced their lineage back to Abraham.  Their whole identity as a people rested on the fact that God had given Abraham promises (Genesis 12; Genesis 15; Genesis 17) which they, as his descendants, had inherited.

While Jesus' sudden appearance in Judah was not supported at the time by genealogical evidence, both Luke and Matthew felt it was important to show that, on the human side of His nature, our Lord was both in the Abrahamic line of promise and in the Davidic royal line.  He was qualified to take the throne that God promised to the Messiah.

We need to note just two things about the genealogy before moving on.  First, as is common to biblical genealogies, this one skips.  It does not necessarily record each generation; a "son of" someone, in Hebrew usage, might be a grandson or great-grandson.  Only the notable in the family need to be mentioned.  Thus, we cannot estimate times or dates by using Bible genealogies.

The second thing is that this genealogy differs in significant ways from the genealogy in Matthew.  Why?  Most Bible scholars believe that Luke gives the genealogy of Mary (who was also of the royal Davidic line), while Matthew traces the family of Joseph.  Thus, by both His mother and His earthly father, Jesus had a right to the throne of Israel.

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. Why did Boaz request the elders of the community to be present?
2. How do following community practices and laws produce effective ministries?
3. How can our actions of caring for others affect society as a whole?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

Christians often like to help other people.  However, our actions must not be in conflict with a community's norms and standards.  Missionaries often travel to faraway places such as Africa.  In some African cultures, it is improper to talk with anyone in the community without first speaking with the tribal chief.  If missionaries go into an area without knowing its customs and laws, they can cause more harm than good. It is necessary that we conduct ministry with sensitivity to the context of the specified community.

Zoom Sunday School Classes – 8 December 2024, 09:00 AM EST
Meeting ID: 848-9423-0612
Pass Code: 669872
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84894230612?pwd=Zk1ESitzbGZwTlJyV21UZXY5aTVPZz09
God’s Promise to David
(A Very Fine House)
Printed Text: 2 Samuel 7:4-17
Devotional Text: Isaiah 9:1-7
Background Text: 2 Samuel 7:1-17

AIM FOR CHANGE:

ANALYZE David’s desire and the Lord’s promise.

CONFESS our natural human limitations to serve God in a manner that is worthy of the eternal and omnipresent Creator; and

APPRECIATE God’s blessings and how we don’t need to earn them through impressive acts of service.

KEEP IN MIND:

“Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16, NRSV)

BACKGROUND:

The events described in this Scripture take place in Jerusalem, the then capital of a strong and united Israel.  The year is roughly 1000 BC.  Previously, for more than 300 years, Israel had been ruled by judges and advised by various prophets.  During that period, Israel faced near constant wars with various Canaanite tribes, including the ruthless Philistines.  Those battles continued even under Israel’s first king, Saul, and second king, David.

This week’s Scripture begins by saying that God had given David rest from all his surrounding enemies (2 Samuel 7:1).  Under David’s rule, the Philistines, Moabites, and others were finally defeated.  This is significant because David was finally able to establish Israel as a formidable power in the region and set up his son, Solomon, to possess all the land that God had promised.  David was instrumental in strengthening and uniting Israel, and making it a great and wealthy nation.  He captured Jerusalem, moved the Ark of the Covenant there, and built a magnificent palace for himself.

LESSON COMMENTARY:

When God Says No (2 Samuel 7:4-7, NRSV)

⁴ But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan:
⁵ Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a house to live in?
⁶ I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle.
⁷ Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"

David loved God and had set up the Tabernacle nearby.  It was meant to be portable so God would dwell among His people wherever they went.  Now, David felt that their wanderings days were over.  He felt that since he had a permanent home, it was only fitting to build a permanent and more beautiful home for the Ark.  It seemed to be a “good idea,” but not a “God idea,” as we shall see later in the text.  Many times, we as believers have good ideas but they’re not always ideas sourced and supported by God.

People value permanence and seek to build things that will outlast themselves.  When David wanted to build a house for God, God promised to build a house for David, a dynasty, a tradition of royalty.

It is understandable to believe that King David was feeling guilty living in a fine palace while the presence of God lived inside a tent.  David may have honestly believed that God should have a house that reflected His majesty and glory.  So, it is not surprising that he dreamt of building a fine temple to house the presence of God.  David’s motivations were sincere and unselfish, and we see the depth of this king's commitment to God.  In fact, the writer of 2 Chronicles tells us that God praised King David for having the desired to honor Him in that way (2 Chronicles 6:7–9).  David was not asking God for anything; instead, he wanted to give back to God, who had given him everything.  We should, like David, have a sincere desire to see God glorified and honored.

David shared this desire with the prophet Nathan.  Without first consulting God, or even praying about it, Nathan agreed with David told him that he, too, thought that building a temple was a good idea.  At this point David felt affirmed in his desire, but failed to realize Nathan was relying on his own judgment, rather than obtaining God's approval.  We must be careful to weigh our own desires, even those that seem godly, and ensure that they are in the will of God.

The same evening, Nathan heard from God.  The Lord instructed the prophet to tell David that He never commanded anyone to build to Him a house.  It is important to notice here that God did not appear to be angry at David's wish to build the temple.  Even as he refused honor David's desire, God was gracious toward His beloved servant.  Note that God spoke to Nathan before David acted on his plans, thus sparing him any embarrassment.

1.    How do national leaders normally choose to react to God?

2.    When we have great ideas and formulate wonderful plans, why is it important to consult God first?

3.    What happens when the plans we develop conflict with God’s will?

God’s Role in David’s Present (2 Samuel 7:8-10, NRSV)

⁸ Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel;
⁹ and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.
¹⁰ And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly,

God instructed Nathan to remind David of His ever-present role in David's life and of all that He had done for the King.  Of all the men and Israel, God had selected David, a young shepherd, to rule His people.  We must remember that God had Samuel anoint the young David while there was still a king on the throne, Saul.  God protected David as he spent years living in exile hiding from the wrath of Saul (1 Samuel 18:12, 20:1, 31, 21:10).  David's ascension from the fields to the throne was filled with danger and turmoil; however, the hand of God continually protected David.  For about 15 years, God delivered David from Saul's murderous jealousy and from the swords of his enemies.

In this way, David’s story is a wonderful portrayal of what happens in our Christian Walk when we follow God's lead.  Just as God protected David from his internal enemies (King Saul and other dissidents living inside Israel's borders) and from the outside enemies (Philistines, Ammonites, and others), He protects the life of the believer.  He protects the life of the believer.  Jealousy, envy, strife, worry, bitterness, and lust are all internal enemies of our flesh.  Our outside enemies are the influences of the world in the satanic attacks we must endure daily.  These influences are only there to undermine the dominion that God intends for us to have in Christ.

God’s Greater Plans for You (2 Samuel 7:11-13, NRSV)

¹¹ from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house.
¹² When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
¹³ He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

God had been a constant presence in David's life, but His role was far from over.  God entered into a covenant with David.  This is one of the most important of all the biblical covenants because its fulfillment is in our Lord Jesus Christ.

God made specific promises.  First, He promised David that He would “set up thy seed after thee” (verse 12).  David would have successors from his body and others would be able to recognize them as the sons of David.  This title, “Son of David,” is used for Jesus numerous times in the New Testament.  More importantly, God was promising that the descendants of David would always be recognized as a royal line.  The right to reign and rule on earth always belong to the “seed” of David.  This promise was foreshadowed in Genesis when Jacob blessed his sons and prophesied that “the scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be” (Genesis 49:10).  Note that it is David's “seed” that will build the Lord a house.  Thus, we see that David’s earnest desire to honor God will be fulfilled through his heir.

God also promised David a “throne of his kingdom forever” (verse 12, 13, 16).  This is a promise that someone from David's lineage will always set on the throne.  The use of the word “kingdom” implies that David will forever have both a reign and a realm.  His heirs will not only have that authority but also a place where that authority is recognized as legitimate.

God’s Covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:14-17, NRSV)

¹⁴ I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings.

¹⁵ But I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you.

¹⁶ Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.

God's promise to David of a hereditary monarchy is especially important when we realized that prior to this point in Israel's history, no king had been succeeded by his son.  The previous King, Saul, died along with three of his sons (Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchiua at the battle on Mount Gilboa, 1 Samuel 33:3–6; 1 Chronicles 10:3–6).  Saul's remaining son, Ishbosheth, was later killed by two of his own military officers.  Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson and only living male descendent, came under the protection of David (because Mephiboseth was his dear friend Jonathan’s son), but he never ascended to the throne.

Note that God did not promise that David’s heirs would rule for a long time, but that “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me” (2 Samuel 7:16).  We know of no other kingdom in the ancient Near East that endured as long as the Davidic dynasty, which lasted more than 400 years.  When David's predecessor, Saul, did wrong, his kingdom was taken away from him.  When the descendants of David displease God, they would be spared because of this promise: “But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee” (verse 15).

The intimacy of the relationship between God and David’s heir is contained in verse 14: “I will be his father, and he shall be my son.”  Here we see that God intended for Israel's king to be the official representative of the nation which God Himself already recognized as His son (Exodus 4:22; Deuteronomy 14:1).  The father-son relationship requires discipline, a concept that was not new to Israel: “Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you” (Deuteronomy 8:5).

David's reign is fulfilled in the reign of Jesus Christ.  The first century preaching of John the Baptist, the Twelve (Matthew 10:5–7), and Jesus’ followers (Luke 10:1) offered Israel the opportunity to recognize and embrace Jesus as the Davidic King (Matthew 3:2).  In rejecting Jesus, Israel failed to embrace its kingdom blessings (21:43).  A considerable amount of time elapsed between the time that David was anointed as the king of Israel and his actual assumption of the throne following the death of Saul.  Similarly, Jesus has already been anointed, at His resurrection and ascension, as the rightful, legal, and legitimate heir to the Davidic throne.  Jesus’ ultimate rule will begin when Satan is deposed (Revelation 20:2–3).  Until that time, we have assurance that Jesus reigns right now at the right hand of God the Father.

DISCUSS THE MEANING:

1.      How does accepting God’s “no” show great faith in His future plans for our lives?

2.      The text says that David “summoned” the prophet Nathan to discuss his idea to build a temple for the Lord (verses 1-2).  At first, Nathan told him to do what he had in mind.  Only after Nathan talked it over with God did he go back to tell David that God had rejected his idea.  What does this tell us about seeking counsel concerning our future plans?

3.      Why is it important to accept constructive criticism of our plans before we act?

4. David's dream of building the temple had all the earmarks of having come from the Lord, yet it did not.  How can we be sure that our dreams are from the Lord and that they are part of his plan for our life?

LESSON IN SOCIETY:

Zoom Sunday School Classes – 15 December 2024, at 09:00 AM EST
Meeting ID: 848-9423-0612
Pass Code: 669872
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84894230612?pwd=Zk1ESitzbGZwTlJyV21UZXY5aTVPZz09
The Prophet Who Prepares the Way (A Father’s Prophecy)
Printed Text: Luke 1:67-80
Devotional Reading: Luke 1:5-17
Background: Luke 1:5-23, 57-80

KEEP IN MIND:

"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways." (Luke 1:76-77, NRSV).

AIM FOR CHANGE:

EXPLAIN how Zacharias's behavior changed as a result of the fulfillment of God's promise in John's birth;
REFLECT on the life-changing events that have occurred in your life; and
TELL others how believing in Jesus changes your life.

BACKGROUND:

Zacharias and his wife were old when the angel Gabriel announced that "thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John" (Luke 1:13).  The announcement came while Zacharias was going about his normal priestly duties in the temple.  Zacharias knew that if he and Elisabeth were to have a child at their age, it would require a miracle of divine intervention.  Moreover, Zacharias remembered that his wife had been barren all her life. Consequently, his response to the angel's announcement is almost predictable.  Upon hearing the angel's promise, Zacharias' response is one of awe, mixed with doubt and disbelief.  His question, though understandable, nonetheless begs for proof: "Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years" (v. 18).

Zacharias's response is a reminder that even good and faithful people have doubts. It may be that by the time of their midlife, Zacharias and Elisabeth had stopped praying for a child.  But God refused to forget the prayers of their more youthful days and used this faithful couple in His unfolding plan of salvation.

LESSON COMMENTARY:

Celebrating God (Luke 1:67-75, NRSV)

⁶⁷Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:
⁶⁸"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
⁶⁹He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David,
⁷⁰as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
⁷¹that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
⁷²Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant,
⁷³the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us
⁷⁴that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear,
⁷⁵in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

Zacharias was previously told his son would be filled with the Spirit (Luke 1:15).  Afterward, his wife was filled with the spirit (Luke 1:41).  Finally, it was his turn.

Zacharias had nine months of silence to think about all the things he would say when his time came to speak.  Imagine how frustrating it must have been to not be able to hear his own voice, to utter a simple prayer, or to tell his wife how beautiful she looked pregnant.  He endured more than 270 days of scribbling requests, grunting to emphasize what he used to easily say, and gesturing with his hands.  He made it through the whole delivery of his son’s birth.  What a great day it would be when he was no longer handicapped.  There would be so many things to talk about.  But on the day his son was born, Zacharias opened his mouth—not to praise himself, his wife, or his son—but to bless Jesus, the child still to be born.

Zacharias’ Prophecy (Luke 1:76-80, NRSV)

⁷⁶And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
⁷⁷to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.
⁷⁸By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us,
⁷⁹to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
⁸⁰The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.

Verses 76-79, focuses on the messenger, John, and on the impact of his ministry.  As Zacharias was informed by Gabriel, John will be the forerunner of Messiah, whose task will be to prepare men and women for His coming, by preaching of sin and of forgiveness for sins.  Here, however, Luke makes a special point of the fact that John’s growth and development involved a separation, from his family, from his culture, and from the Jewish religious system, of which he could have been (indeed, should have been!) a priest, like his father.  Luke chooses to emphasize the separation of John from his “world,” not his identification with it.

When he was given the name “John,” rather than “Zacharias”, God was indicating to all who were involved that John would not be carrying on his father’s name, nor his work.  Think of the ways in which John became very different from his father, which was symbolized by his non-family name.  Zacharias was a priest; John was a prophet.  John was a Nazarite; his father was not. Zacharias lived among the people; John lived in the solitude of the people.  Zacharias was a part of the old religious system; John was not—he stood apart from it.

Zacharias, as a part of the religious system, identified with it, while John was able to stand apart from it and to see its many errors and perversions.  The boldness and clarity with which John spoke out against the evils of his day was, to a great extent, the result of John’s separation from the system and its sins, which he condemned.  In contrast to Zacharias, who seemed reticent to speak, John spoke out boldly.  Thus, Luke would have the reader to know that separation from his society, even from his parents, played a key role in John’s preparation for ministry.

1. Why was John called "the prophet of the Most High" (Luke 1:76)?
2. Zacharias, Elisabeth, and John were called to proclaim God's message. What roles did each play?
3. Life is a continuing process of change: marriage, birth, jobs, divorce, death—the list goes on.  The question is: How are your life-changing events shaping your Christian walk?

4.    Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit when he prophesied.  What does this tell us about proclaiming God's Holy Word?

5. John was separated, sent to the desert, before he ministered in public.  What does this tell us about preparation for ministry as a vocation?
6. Since we are all called to be witnesses for the Lord, how can each of us strengthen our relationship with Christ, learn more about God's Word, and understand the message He would have us proclaim to our family and neighbors?
   
   

LESSON IN SOCIETY:

Not only was John chosen to prepare the way of the Lord by calling the people to repentance, but he would also give them "knowledge of salvation."  Here Luke contrasts John's role with that of Jesus, for repentance and baptism lead to forgiveness and salvation.  Through the knowledge of salvation, the new covenant would be fulfilled.  According to Jeremiah, that would mean every person would "Know the LORD... for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more (Jeremiah 31:34).

The forgiveness of sins is made possible because of the Lord's mercy and His compassionate heart.  The term "dayspring", or "rising sun or stars," is interpreted in many ways due to it referring to sun or stars.  Some scholars believe it is a metaphor for Yahweh, the shoot or offspring of David or the star from Jacob (Numbers 24:17).

Zoom Sunday School Classes – 22 December 2024 at 09:00 AM EST
Meeting ID: 848-9423-0612
Pass Code: 669872
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84894230612?pwd=Zk1ESitzbGZwTlJyV21UZXY5aTVPZz09

Born in the City of David (Savior’s Birth)
Printed Text: Luke 2:1-16
Devotional Reading: Micah 5:1-6
Background: Luke 2:1-20

Keep in Mind:

“¹When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” (Luke 2:15, NRSV)

LESSON AIM:

RECOUNT the angel's announcements to the shepherds and the shepherds' responses;
EXPLORE issues of proclamations, promises, and commitment; and
DEMONSTRATE our commitment to God in acts of praise.

BACKGROUND:

Even though the Jews did not have to serve in the Roman army, they still had to pay taxes to the Roman government.  Therefore, a census (registration) was taken to aid in the collection process.  But a Sovereign God, who controls history, was and always is in control of His universe.  This omnipotent (all-powerful) God had a plan to bring His one and only Son into the world to serve as: (1) Prophet, (2) the Suffering Priest, and (3) King of kings and Lord of lords.  Therefore, the decree from the Roman ruler, Augustus, went out to all the Jews in God's perfect timing.  God used this announcement to work His plan to get Joseph and Mary to the place where Jesus was to be born.  Thus, Emperor Augustus's decree fulfilled prophecy that Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).

It was also in God's sovereign plan that He would continue to reveal His Son.  God chose to first reveal Him to lowly shepherds working in the fields.  Bible scholars tell us that these shepherds may have supplied the sacrificial lambs for the temple.  These lambs were used to pay the Jews' sin penalty and grant them forgiveness of sin.  However, now on the scene would be the Lamb without spot or blemish, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.  He would die on a cruel Cross, rise from the dead in three days, and win victory over sin and death (eternal separation from a Holy God).  He would pay all believers' sin-penalty in full.

Another Old Testament prophecy was also fulfilled.  In fact, the Old Testament declared that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would be born in King David's royal line (Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 33:15).  Whereas the Jews were looking for a Messiah to deliver them from Roman rule, God sent His Son to save them from their sins.  God is building His own kingdom, which will consist of everyone who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour (John 3:16).   As we study today's lesson, be challenged to see the hand of God in the birth of His Son and the salvation of humanity.

LESSON COMMENTARY:

Going Back (Luke 2:1 – 6, NRSV)

¹In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.
²This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
³All went to their own towns to be registered.
⁴Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.
⁵He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.
⁶While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.

Joseph and Mary had probably prepared a place for the baby in her home, chosen his first outfit, and made sure they had a well-practiced first century version of Lamaze breathing ready for Mary's labor and delivery.  Then Caesar issued a decree, every man had to go to his hometown to be taxed.

This seemingly random tax was all part of God's plan.  For Bethlehem held a special place in Scripture, it was King David's hometown and from where the expected Messiah was to hail (Micah 5:1; Matthew 2:1).  The tax wasn't necessarily a Caesar thing but a God thing.  It caused two people who lived in Nazareth to journey to Bethlehem in a prophecy-fulfilling moment in history.

Maybe they were expecting to be back in Nazareth in time for the birth.  How in the world would they make a three-day journey to Bethlehem and get back so Mary could deliver her child in the comfort of their own home?  What a dilemma!  Considering they were carrying the child of promise, one whose birth was announced by Angels, surely God would make away.

Guess what happened when the couple got to Bethlehem?  Mary's contractions began.  With no rooms in any of the inns, the couple was forced to seek shelter in a barn.  There in a stall, the first witnesses to the Messiah's birth were animals.

Coming Forth (Luke 2:7– 2, NRSV)

⁷And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
⁸In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
⁹Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
¹⁰But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:
¹¹to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
¹²This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."

A manger seemed like a strange place, but it was all they had.  As we read this text today, it's possible that God was sending a subtle message here.  Isaiah 1:3 records: “The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its masters, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”  The same animals in this manger knew their owner.  They knew that He had put on flesh and was lying before them in a manger.

Far from the outfits she picked out at home, Mary wrapped Jesus tightly in a cloth.  Considering many things in the stall for uses of bed, she settled on a feeding trough.  While the Messiah and his parents slept, some shepherds were in a field keeping watch over their sheep. 

The evening started out as routine as any other, the shepherds brought the sheep back to the fold.  They made sure none of the flock was missing by passing them “under the rod” (a counting mechanism) as they entered the entrance of the enclosure.  If any of the sheep had strayed, the shepherds would have searched until it was found, which would have made for long night!

Then, out of nowhere, an angel appeared to the shepherds, causing them to be afraid.  However, the Angel brought them Good News of great joy, telling them about Jesus's birth and bidding them to go see for themselves.

Spreading Out (Luke 2: 13–17, NRSV)

¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
¹⁴"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."
¹⁶So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.

If the shepherds doubted that what they saw and heard was true, the host of praising Angels was enough to make them eager enough to check it out.  If heaven was excited about this newborn Savior, the least the shepherds could do was verify the sign they been given.  They went quickly to Bethlehem.  Imagine how they felt as they came upon Mary, Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  How wonderful it is to see that God's words are true, that something is just as God told you will be.  As witnesses, they had to tell somebody, anybody, and everybody!  Not just about a child who was born on the hope of expectant parents, but the Good News of the birth of the Savior of all people.

DISCUSS THE MEANING: 

1. How did God use the census to fulfill His promise?
2. What made the shepherds go tell everyone about the birth of Jesus?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY:

 Sources: 

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Anderson, Arnold. A., Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 11, 2 Samuel. Nashville: Zondervan Academics Publishers, 2015.

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Stein, Robert H., New American Commentary: Luke, An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture, Volume 24. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993.

Strong, James, Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries, Electronic Edition STEP Files, QuickVerse, a division of Findex.com, Inc., Omaha, Nebraska. 2003.

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