GateWay Church of Visalia
Good Will Toward Men
Luke 2 Pastor Ed Kemp
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Thursday 6:45 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Introduction
Consolation: To be CALLED alongside of
Salvation: To be saved from DESTRUCTION
Redemption: To be LIBERATED
So What?!
#1. If God’s concern is consolation, then my impact must be
ENCOURAGEMENT.
ENCOURAGEMENT.
#2. If God’s goal is salvation, then my words must speak
LIFE.
LIFE.
#3. If God’s sacrifice creates redemption,
then my gift is RELATIONSHIP.
then my gift is RELATIONSHIP.
Good Will Toward Men
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: When you were a child what was the best physical gift you ever received at Christmas? What is one of the best relational gifts you ever received at any time of year?
Read: Luke 2:21-39
Make a list of observations concerning the character qualities and descriptive words about Simeon from vs. 25-35.
Make another list of observations concerning those same things about Anna from vs. 36-38.
Now compare and contrast Simeon’s qualities and words with Anna’s.
Verse 33 states that Mary and Joseph were amazed at the things that were being said about Jesus, which means that there were more than just Simeon and Anna talking about Jesus. Why do you think Luke decided to include these two people in his description of Jesus family coming to the temple?
Notice that the previous story is the Shepherds who were not looking for anything. Yet Angels visit them and proclaim Jesus birth. Simeon and Anna were both looking for the coming of Messiah. Why would Luke include these two stories, how do they compare and contrast?
Luke includes all of this narrative material of Jesus birth to share with his readers how Jesus will impact various and different kinds of people. Who in your group grew up in the church and as they matured they stayed devout like Simeon. Who in your group didn’t grow up in the church and came to Christ later in life? Who in your group didn’t grow up in the church and Christ just plopped himself down in their life like what happened to the non-searching shepherds? Notice that Anna (vs. 37) serves at the Temple by fasting and praying. Does anyone in your group serve GateWay by fasting and praying for it’s ministry to Visalia? Who in your group is a prayer warrior like Anna?
Notice that Simeon is not called a priest or prophet, he’s just called a man (vs. 25.) An ordinary man who is looking for the consolation of Israel. In vs. 32 Simeon says that salvation is for Jew and Gentile or for the whole world. Through the rest of Luke the Priest and leadership only believe Jews can be saved. Why could a regular guy see God’s purpose and the religious leaders couldn’t?
Read Luke 2:39-52.
Look at how everyone is amazed at Jesus knowledge in vs. 47. In 2:51-52 Mary 12 years later is still pondering and treasuring all these things about Jesus even as she did in vs. 19 at His birth. What did Jesus mean to you when you first accepted Him as your Savior in comparison to what He means to you now. How have you grown spiritually? How have you changed? Do you celebrate Christmas differently now?
Family Time: Watch the Charlie Brown Christmas Special together. Ask your kids, “How important is that blue blanket to Linus?” “Does his blanket comfort him?” “Why do you think Linus drops the blanket when he quotes Luke 2.” “Do you think Jesus can comfort Linus and us like a ‘trusty blanket’?”
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: When you were a child what was the best physical gift you ever received at Christmas? What is one of the best relational gifts you ever received at any time of year?
Read: Luke 2:21-39
Make a list of observations concerning the character qualities and descriptive words about Simeon from vs. 25-35.
Make another list of observations concerning those same things about Anna from vs. 36-38.
Now compare and contrast Simeon’s qualities and words with Anna’s.
Verse 33 states that Mary and Joseph were amazed at the things that were being said about Jesus, which means that there were more than just Simeon and Anna talking about Jesus. Why do you think Luke decided to include these two people in his description of Jesus family coming to the temple?
Notice that the previous story is the Shepherds who were not looking for anything. Yet Angels visit them and proclaim Jesus birth. Simeon and Anna were both looking for the coming of Messiah. Why would Luke include these two stories, how do they compare and contrast?
Luke includes all of this narrative material of Jesus birth to share with his readers how Jesus will impact various and different kinds of people. Who in your group grew up in the church and as they matured they stayed devout like Simeon. Who in your group didn’t grow up in the church and came to Christ later in life? Who in your group didn’t grow up in the church and Christ just plopped himself down in their life like what happened to the non-searching shepherds? Notice that Anna (vs. 37) serves at the Temple by fasting and praying. Does anyone in your group serve GateWay by fasting and praying for it’s ministry to Visalia? Who in your group is a prayer warrior like Anna?
Notice that Simeon is not called a priest or prophet, he’s just called a man (vs. 25.) An ordinary man who is looking for the consolation of Israel. In vs. 32 Simeon says that salvation is for Jew and Gentile or for the whole world. Through the rest of Luke the Priest and leadership only believe Jews can be saved. Why could a regular guy see God’s purpose and the religious leaders couldn’t?
Read Luke 2:39-52.
Look at how everyone is amazed at Jesus knowledge in vs. 47. In 2:51-52 Mary 12 years later is still pondering and treasuring all these things about Jesus even as she did in vs. 19 at His birth. What did Jesus mean to you when you first accepted Him as your Savior in comparison to what He means to you now. How have you grown spiritually? How have you changed? Do you celebrate Christmas differently now?
Family Time: Watch the Charlie Brown Christmas Special together. Ask your kids, “How important is that blue blanket to Linus?” “Does his blanket comfort him?” “Why do you think Linus drops the blanket when he quotes Luke 2.” “Do you think Jesus can comfort Linus and us like a ‘trusty blanket’?”