Unit 16, Session 1: Angels Spoke to Mary and Joseph
Luke 1:26-56; Matthew 1:18-24
Christ Connection: “Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). The baby Jesus fulfilled Isaiahʼs prophecy, as well as other prophecies of the coming Savior throughout the Old Testament. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled Godʼs plan of redemption that God planned from the beginning of the world.
Adult Connection Point: A Christian worldview is developed in light of who God is and what He has done to reconcile the world to Himself. We believe Jesus is the rightful King over all the world. And this truth should necessarily influence our thinking and our actions. The more we think as Christians, the more we will have the heart of Christ. Thatʼs why we are called to summon others on behalf of the King.
The Bible consistently presents a Christian view of the world. Along the way, the biblical authors interacted with and contradicted unbiblical worldviews. We ought to be skilled in doing the same.
A mindset prevalent in the world today is that all religions are united by a common morality and ultimately lead to God, however He might be defined. Therefore, the logic goes: It is intolerant and mean-spirited to press someone to accept the claims of your faith. But this view of the world directly contradicts Christʼs teaching: “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Developing a Christian worldview of who Jesus is and why He was born into this world will keep us from being conformed to this world. (Rom. 12:2)
Family Devotion:
Materials: cardboard or paper, markers, tape
Read the assigned passages about Jesusʼ birth in Luke and Matthew. Take turns reading the passages together, two verses at a time.
Ask: “According to these passages, who is Jesus?” Kids may give several answers, but steer focus to what the assigned verses say. In these verses, Jesus is identified as Son of the Most High, Son of God, Savior, holy One, and Immanuel. Challenge family members to give the chapter and verse that verifies each answer. Write down these answers on a piece of paper.
Talk about what can distract your family and other families from keeping the focus on Jesus during the Christmas season and throughout the year. Remind your family to always go back to the Bible to find the truth about Jesus. The world will try to reason away or exclude Jesusʼ birth from the public square, but
as followers of Jesus, you need to keep the truth visible—not under a bushel.
Read Isaiah 7:14, and then give markers and a piece of paper or cardboard to each person. Recall some of the answers to the previous question, “Who is Jesus?” Print an answer or verse on each paper, and then decide on conspicuous spots you can hang your signs around the house, in the car, or at work.
During the week, discuss any conversations the signs may have prompted.
Pray, asking God to lead you to those who do not know Jesus.
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