November 19, 2001
Family Bible Series for Dec. 2
The good news makes a nice Christmas present
___Galatians 3:26-4:20
___By Christine Hockin-Boyd
___Texas WMU, Dallas
___What are you planning for this Christmas? Will you take a vacation to somewhere special or be with family and friends? Will you shop until you drop? Will you go to extreme measures to find the perfect gift for that someone special in your life?
___It is truly amazing how we allow ourselves to become caught up in all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holidays. I wonder if the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks will cause us to rethink our travel plans to be with family, alter our gift buying or possibly shop less and buy one special gift with special meaning?
___Christmas, however, isn't about purchasing gifts or giving to charities. Christmas is celebrating our Savior's birth and his coming into the world. Obviously, we will want to be with families even more this year, but it is an opportune time to reflect and share about why Jesus did come to this world. Jesus came to redeem people from their sins.
___During the past two months, Christians have discovered non-believers are more open to hearing the gospel than prior to the attack on America. With that in mind, this year's Christmas season could be a great time for sharing the gospel as we help believers understand the reason we celebrate Jesus' birth. Family members stateside and friends abroad will be more open to hearing how Jesus loves, forgives, comforts and offers peace to troubled hearts. Pray God will reveal special opportunities for you and your family to share about Jesus during the Christmas season.
___Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' coming into the world to redeem people from their sins. This week's lesson will not focus on the way Jesus was born or where he was born. Rather the emphasis is why Jesus came.
___Begin praying now for sensitivity and discernment for class members who may not already have a personal relationship with Jesus. And pray believers would rejoice in this celebration by reaffirming their faith in Jesus.
___"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. No matter nationality or prejudice we are all one in Christ" (Galatians 3:26-29).
___Jesus came to bring redemption to all people everywhere. Everyone has the opportunity to be God's child by faith. It is true that in Bible times the Jewish males did pray a prayer such as this--"Thank you Lord that I am not a Gentile, a slave or a woman." How thankful we should all be that Christianity transcended these differences and makes all believers as one in Christ.
___This is a great message that no one is more privileged or superior in hearing the good news. It is especially true for those who are held today in bondage through some sort of abuse, captivity or cultural differences. The truth is that every person has the option to know God through faith and is a rightful heir.
___Why was Jesus born at the time he was? In verse 4, we are reminded and comforted of God's master and perfect plan that "when the time had fully come, God sent his Son." It really doesn't matter if we know and understand the whys and hows, but rather by faith accept God's timing.
___The same is true when God hears our prayers. The answers usually come to us in three ways--yes, no and wait. There is never a maybe in God's reply. The message of Christmas includes the opportunity for believers to share about God's faithfulness in answering our prayers.
___Think of it. You are in conversation with someone and they are bewildered about a situation and you have the opportunity to share how God works in your life. You can share how you have prayed to God for strength and help and then how he answered through forms of guidance, protection, blessing and direction. The conversation also includes your sharing that God answered your prayer at the precise moment that brought honor and glory to his name.
___The same is true for Jesus being born into this world at the right time for people to understand and accept the redemption being offered.
___What is this redemption? Redemption is the release that occurs when a price is paid (v. 5). Jesus paid the price for our release from sin.
___May this Christmas be a time in which you fervently share the message of Christmas--the true message of God and not the world's message of earthly goods. Reflect and rejoice in the message you have to share with others because you have personally experienced God's provision of redemption.
___Questions for discussion
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