The Word Became Flesh: Christmas
01. Jesus is Fully God
December 9, 2018
Celebrating Christmas is about more than thinking about Jesus towards the end of December. Christmas is about the doctrine of the incarnation: Jesus is fully God and fully man. It's this doctrine that inspires the greatest Christmas songs of hope and joy, because caught up in the incarnation is the great truth of the Christian faith that sustains us in our lives. Application Questions 1. Is the idea that Jesus is fully God new to you, a struggle for you, or an encouragement to you? Why do you think it is the motivation for so many powerful Christmas songs? 2. Jesus is how we know what God is like. What is encouraging about that? What is challenging about that? 3. How does it affect you to know that God came“in person” to forgive you at such a personal cost? 4. Does Jesus function as your ultimate authority? Are there any ways you are pulling back from what he wants for your life?
02. Jesus is Fully Man
December 16, 2018
Christmas isn't just about God coming to earth, it's about the eternal Son of God becoming fully human. As fully human, Jesus experienced life on the earth in a way that means he can sympathize with us, be our example, and suffer for us so we might be forgiven. Understanding the doctrine of the incarnation brings real hope and joy to the Christmas season. Application Questions 1. Do you struggle more with the idea that Jesus was fully God or the idea that Jesus was fully human? Why? 2. What does it mean to you that Jesus can sympathize with your struggles, challenges, and temptations? How can that be an encouragement in your life now? 3. When you think of the best kind of life you could live, do you think of a life like Jesus's? Do you look to Jesus as a practical example for your life now? 4. How does the idea that Jesus was fully human help you appreciate his death on the cross for your sins? How does it inspire you to worship him by following his will in your life?
03. Jesus is Born
December 23, 2018
There is a gap between heaven and earth, a distance between mankind and God. The solutions of the world are two-fold: the religious solution attempts to help humans climb the ladder to heaven; the earthly solution attempts to find heaven on earth. Both solutions fail, the only true solution is God's: to bring heaven to earth. Application Questions 1. How do you recognize the“distant-nearness” between you and God in your life? 2. What are ways you can see in your life an attempt at the“religious solution” ? 3. What are ways you can see in your life an attempt at the“earthly solution” ? 4. Why is God's solution so much better, and how can that encourage you to worship Jesus more this Christmas?