Last semester we covered Genesis to Malachi and learned how the Israelites turned away from God, were sent into exile, and were brought back to their land. They were desperately aware of their weaknesses and failings, desperately aware of their desperate need for a Savior.
So according to His promise and His goodness, God provided. He knew that people can’t be “good enough” to get into heaven; He knew they needed another way to be saved from spiritual death. But according to His creativity and power, He provided the Savior in the most unexpected way. He came to earth Himself in the form of a baby, a baby born of a virgin, for that matter! He lived among us and was killed because of us. Then, in true miraculous God-fashion, He is raised from the dead. This bizarre event seems pointless to many, yet God uses His death and resurrection to bring us to Himself. Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
It is by faith alone in Jesus that we are saved. No one is good enough to earn their way into heaven, into the presence of our Creator. That’s precisely why Jesus had to die for us to pay our penalty (Romans 6:23) so that through His death we might have life! Praise the Lord!
I remember the first time I realized all this was true. I was a sophomore in high school and I finally understood that this was REAL. It really happened! And I remember thinking, “Whoa. This is real. I believe this... I have to change my life.” Believing in Jesus wasn’t just my ticket to heaven, it became my life and my reason for everything I do. Once I believed in Him and what He did, it made complete sense in my mind that I should now live my life for Him. He created me to know Him and make Him known and there was nothing else worth doing than for me to share that He loves us and only He can save us. Some see Christianity as rules and as missing out, but following Jesus hasn’t been a burden for me, it’s been a joy and it’s meant freedom for me. Since that time, I’ve finished high school and college and have entered the ‘adult world’ of a full time job. However, my blessing has been that it’s my job to tell people the truth about Jesus. I can’t picture myself doing anything else!
So this month we’re going to look at the coming of the Son and at His life on earth. We’re going to be reminded of what He really did. We’re going to be challenged to ask ourselves if we believe and if we’re willing to follow. So get ready to hear some stories and to be amazed again by God’s power and plan!
I pray that you know the truth of Jesus and that you believe. May your belief in turn lead you to live for God and not for yourself. May you feel the freedom, peace, and joy in doing so.
Week One: Jan 11 & 12th
Mary and Joseph and the escape to Egypt
1. Where in your life do you think God is not in control?
2. If you’re chasing the kingdom and not facing opposition, ask yourself what kingdom you’re chasing?
3. What are your spiritual goals this semester? How are you going to grow in your knowledge of and obedience to Christ?
Week Two: Jan 18 & 19th
John the Baptist
1. Why did John “prepare the way?”
2. Do you have the mindset that “He must become greater, I must become less”? (John 3:30) If not, what’s holding you back? How can you make Him greater?
3. Why is Jesus called the Lamb?
Week Three: Jan 25 & 26th
Jesus
1. Do you believe Jesus performed miracles? Why or why not?
2. Why did Jesus have to die?
3. Why is it important that Jesus was raised from the dead?
4. Do you believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead? If so, praise the Lord that you will spend eternity with Him! If not, why not? What’s holding you back?
5. If you believe in Jesus, are you following Him? Will you live for Him? What’s holding you back?
6. If you believe in Jesus, who are you going to tell about Him?
Week Four: Feb 1 & 2nd
Apostles Chosen
1. Why did Jesus choose Apostles?
2. If Jesus said, “Follow me,” would you drop everything and follow Him? What do you think the disciples thought when this happened?
3. What do you think some challenges were for the apostles after Jesus ascended into heaven and they began to spread the Gospel?
Week Five: Feb 8 & 9th
Pharisee/Sadducees
1. What was the difference between the Pharisees and Sadducees?
2. What do you think the Sadducees felt and thought when Jesus was raised from the dead and appeared to over 500 people?
3. Do you see any similarities between the Pharisees and yourself? Do you honor God with your lips, but your heart is far from Him? Do you do what’s right just so other people will see you and think you’re ‘spiritual’? What is holding you back from giving Him your heart?
