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Celebrating Advent - December 1

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In this series I plan to post something everyday from December 1-25 (well, I probably won't post anything on December 25) from the Gospel of Luke. I hope to add the Scripture text, key points, talking points, discussion questions and maybe even some fun advent ideas for your family. If you have any ideas to contribute, please send them to me, I would love to hear them.

Advent simply means the arrival of an important person. In our case, that important person is Jesus. Advent begins the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas and the length of it is a great opportunity to build expectation for the arrival of Christ, which ultimately points to his second advent, his return at the end of the age. One of the main points of Christmas is to transfer our feeling of expectation of Christmas day to our expectation of Christ’s return, THE Day of all days! 

Keep in mind, this series is designed to engage children. You might have to adapt a few things to make it usable in your context. 

Sing - One or two songs of your choice

Reading - December 1 (Luke 1:1-4)

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

This passage isn't typically associated with Christmas. Yet, this year, we are not going to skip it. There are some gems in here that children can really relate to. 

Summary: The contents within the gospel of Luke are reliable because Luke carefully studied it over time, he consulted eyewitnesses and then accounted for it. 

Questions to Consider: You can ask more or less. The answers are answers you should encourage your children to give but can offer them as explanations if your children need help. Encourage your kids to find the answers from the text!

-Who wrote this book? Luke

-What else do we know about Luke? He was a doctor, probably wealthy, probably smart and well educated.

-Why did Luke want to write this book? He wanted Theophilis, and all Christians, to have certainty that what they were taught about Jesus could be trusted.

-Have you ever wondered if you could trust the Bible? 

-How did Luke put his information together? Did he sit down one afternoon and decide to start writing or did he prepare for a long time? He prepared for a long time!

-How did Luke prepare to write this? He talked to multiple eyewitnesses and followed things closely for a while.

-What is an eyewitness? Why is it important that Luke talked to eyewitnesses? An eyewitness is someone who actually saw the event happen. They are important because they let us know what really happened and that something really did happen.

-Is it important to take to only one eyewitness or many? Many, because when many people say similar things then we know that it really did happen that way.

-Are there some things about the birth of Jesus that might sound like they were made up? Zechariah lost his voice for nine months. Elizabeth and Zechariah had a child when they were so old. Mary had a baby without even being married and by the Holy Spirit. Angels visited Mary and Joseph.

When you stop and think about it, people who tell these kinds of stories would seem like they were making it up.  But we know he isn't making these things up. Luke studied them and talked to many people who were not making it up. We can believe the Bible because it is God's Word, the most special book!

Pray to end







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