Family Bible Series for Dec. 30
FAMILY BIBLE STUDY:
Christ-centered Christmas is a challenge
___ Philippians 3:1-4:1
___By Christine Hockin-Boyd
___Texas WMU, Dallas
___When I first read the title of this lesson--"The Challenge of Christmas"--my eyes immediately focused on the word "challenge." My brain immediately defined what possible challenges there could be concerning Christmas. Some were obvious, and then other ideas surfaced as I continued to think.
___You might say, "Christmas is already over, so why the emphasis?" Well, Christmas day may be over, but the celebration event still lingers in our hearts and minds. Lights and trees are still decorated. Family members and friends still may be visiting or traveling on their way home. Gifts are being enjoyed, and tummies are still feeling full. It is still a tender time for a person's heart to hear about Jesus, the Redeemer. It is still a gentle time to explain about the love he gives.
___The challenge also can be due to emotions and feelings. Unfortunately, for some it is the first Christmas without a spouse due to death or divorce. The first without having children because they are visiting the other parent, off on a ski
trip, married and creating their own Christmas memories or simply celebrating with someone else.
___The challenge that comes with the "rush" being over also is a possibility. You know what I mean about a rush don't you? It's where you work so hard on preparing, creating and planning, and the climax hits, and it's all over in a matter of minutes. There is a letdown--a major letdown. Some would even call it a depressed state of mind. The house is empty, all the presents are gone beneath the tree, everyone has gone home and suddenly it is quiet.
___I believe the biggest challenge of Christmas is keeping focused on the reason we celebrate it. Frankly, with all of the Christmas hype, pressure of buying presents, going to parties, wearing all the decorative clothes and making sure you don't hurt anybody's feelings, how can any sane person focus on the true meaning of Christmas? Not easy, is it?
___Use this Sunday as an opportunity to remind and reflect on what Christmas is. Encourage people who are experiencing the aftermath of family and friends that have gone home or simply just having the holiday blues. Use this time to strike a chord that Jesus is more important than anything we can do, say or purchase. Celebrate today, afresh, his coming and why he came. Rejoice in the Lord.
___"Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you" (Philippians 3:1). Just like Paul, take advantage of this time, no matter the size of your Bible study class, and rejoice in Jesus' coming. Don't be afraid of sharing again the simple understanding that Jesus was sent to be the Redeemer of the world.
___Sometimes the understanding doesn't take affect until the fourth, 10th or even 18th time. Let's face it; there are people who don't accept Christ as Savior the first time they have the opportunity. Paul was persistent. He had such a joy in his heart, he didn't mind sharing the good news over and over. He wanted others to experience the same joy he had.
___Paul was writing his Philippian friends to thank them for sending him provisions by Epaphroditus, to let them know of his situation and to address some issues in the church. Paul wanted to encourage and to challenge believers to have Christ's attitude. And he used himself as an example in his writings in that he, too, was still striving for spiritual maturity.
___Share in class with each other the challenges each has during Christmas time. Allow this to be an open and honest time with one another, and you go first. Share about the struggles of keeping focused, feeling pressured in doing this and that. Admit that at times even you are "challenged" in sharing the good news about Jesus. Discuss the things of the world that get in our way that take our emphasis off of Jesus. Encourage one another to share what Christ has done in their lives just this year alone. Rejoice and celebrate in these victories and answered prayers. Celebrate what God has brought you through instead of focusing on self, the flesh. Celebrate how knowing and experiencing God has changed your heart--actions and words. As Paul said, rejoice in the Lord.
___Knowing Jesus is our ultimate goal (v. 8). Paul knew that and definitely preached it. Nothing is more important or valuable than knowing Jesus. His descriptive words in verses 7-11 can't help but pierce your own heart as you attempt to grasp his enthusiasm and earnestness of knowing Jesus. Nothing was more important--nothing.
___Paul had great joy in knowing Jesus. How would you describe your joy in knowing Jesus? Will you share about it with someone who doesn't know him? You still have time.
___Questions for discussion
___ What challenges did Christmas hold for you? Were these challenges specific to this year, or are they recurring each Christmas season?
___ How can you encourage someone else in their struggles?
___ How effective were you in keeping Christ the focus of Christmas?
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