The Bridge Church

Luke 2:1-16 CSB
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! 15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger.

MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:

I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time.
https://thebridgevenice.churchcenter.com/people/forms/500390

I need to be baptized.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism

I need to attend Starting Point.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point

I need to join a serve team.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve

I need to join a small group.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups

Dig Deeper:
1. Read Luke 2:1-16. What stands out most to you in this passage?
2. When you think about Christmas, what comes to mind?
3. Describe Jesus’s surroundings during His birth. Why was He brought into the world this way?
4. If Jesus came to bring hope, why is there so much hopelessness in the world? Why do people lose hope?
5. How different would the world be if Jesus had never been born? Describe what that would look like.
6. Read Luke 2:25. What do we learn about Simeon in this passage? What might have made him different from other people at this time?
7. Read Luke 2:26-33. How did God keep His promise to Simeon?
8. How can we continually believe God’s promises?
9. What is the difference between a relationship with God and a religious ritual? What does a relationship produce? What does a religious ritual produce?
10. How is believing God exists and having a relationship with God different?
11. Read John 3:16. What does God give us? Why?
12. What does a restorer do? How is Jesus our restorer?
13. What has Jesus restored for you that had been lost or stolen?
14. Read Luke 2:10. Who is this message for? How is good news and hope the same?
15. Read Luke 2:11-12. Why is a gift only a gift if it is free?
16. Read 1 John 4:9-10. Who is the origin of love?
17. Read Matthew 1:21. Why is it significant that Jesus was placed in a manger?
18. When was another time Jesus was wrapped in a cloth? What happened then?
19. Why is the Christmas season a great time to receive God’s message to come out of the emptiness?
20. How can you hold onto the season of Christmas into the new year?

Live It Out:

The birth of Christ brought God to us. The cross of Christ brough us to God. This Christmas season, and into the new year, remember that:

1. Hope is found through believing God’s promises. If we build our hope on circumstances of the ever-changing world, we will be unstable. Instead, build your hope in the unchanging and unwavering promises of God. Look in the Bible for all the promises of God. Write them down and refer to them throughout 2024.

2. Hope is experienced through a relationship with God. How would you define your relationship with God right now? Like any other relationship you have, a relationship with God must be cared for and cultivated every day. This is not done through rituals, but through time with Him in prayer, in His Word, and with the Holy Spirit. Make these a daily priority now and into 2024.

3. Hope is received by grace through faith. Luke 2:10 says we have “good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” “All the people” means just that…it’s for everyone. If you have not ever surrendered your life to Christ, receive the greatest gift of all time this Christmas season…to know Jesus Christ! If you are already a believer in Christ, praise God for the hope you have received by grace through faith. Worship Him and praise Him today and forevermore!

Reading Plan:
Monday: Luke 2:1-16
Tuesday: Luke 2:25-33
Wednesday: John 3:16
Thursday: Luke 2:10-12
Friday: 1 John 4:9-10
Saturday: Matthew 1:21