JESUS IS PRESENTED IN THE TEMPLE

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

EXPLORE Jesus' presentation in the temple; REFLECT on our faith in the promises of God; and DECIDE how we called to walk in holiness.

FOCAL VERSES: Luke 2:25-38

KEEP IN MIND

"For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people" (Luke 2:30-31).

AT-A-GLANCE

1. Simeon's Hope (Luke 2:25-32)
2. Simeon's Prophecy (vv. 33-35)
3. Anna's Devotion (vv. 36-38)

IN FOCUS STORY

Irene Barnes and her husband, Darnell, were experiencing hard times. Darnell had worked for over thirty years as a teacher in the public school system. Because of an illness, he was unable to continue working. Irene worked part time, but their expenses always seemed to exceed their monthly income. Eventually, they had to sell their home. They decided to move in with their oldest son, Timothy.
Their daughter, Jasmine, lived about 300 miles away and was upset that her parents had not come to live with her. Irene told Jasmine that in addition to the closeness to Darnell's doctors, she was hoping for a promotion so that she could be as independent as possible. Jasmine refused to listen and stopped speaking to her parents. Over time, Darnell got better and the couple moved into a senior apartment, but they still had not been able to reconcile with Jasmine. The Barnes' pastor encouraged them to continually believe that God would resolve the matter.
Ten years later, Irene was diagnosed with cancer. Her husband and children wanted to have a special birthday party for her. Jasmine and her family came to celebrate with her. Irene hugged them tightly and said, "I knew God would bring us together again."
We all have hopes and dreams that only God can fulfill. In today's lesson, we examine how God fulfilled the dreams of Simeon and Anna.

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

Firstborn. Jewish families had to adhere to strict ceremonies after the birth of a child. If the child was a male, he had to be circumcised and named on the eighth day. God had made a covenant with Abraham and commanded that, as a sign of the covenant, every male should be circumcised (Genesis 17:10-14). This included children, as well as slaves and foreigners before they could become Jewish citizens or take part in Passover. The Law of Moses made circumcision a legal requirement (Leviticus 12:3).

There was also a redeeming of the first-born when the child was one month old. In memory of the death of Egypt's firstborns and the preservation of the firstborn of Israel, all the firstborn of Israel belonged to God (Exodus 13:2, 11-16). The offering of five shekels was given to the priest to redeem the child from God.

BACKGROUND

The Gospel of Luke was written to affirm both Christ's divinity and humanity. Luke, a Greek physician, wrote the book around A.D. 60. He was very detailed in recording events and dates. This enabled him to connect Jesus to events and people in history. Luke 1 records the story of the birth of John and foretells the birth of Jesus. Chapter 2 opens with the decree from Caesar Augustus that a census be conducted. This required all people to go to their hometown to be registered. Joseph and Mary traveled to Judea, to the city of Bethlehem, to register. There, Jesus was born.
After the announcement to the shepherds in verses 8-20, Luke skipped ahead eight days to circumcision and naming of Jesus (v.21). He would be given the name Jesus, just as the angle had told Mary and proclaimed to Joseph in a dream (Luke 1:31; Matthew 1:21). Mary was required to undergo a purification ceremony 40 days after the birth of her son (v. 22; Leviticus 12:1-4). The purification ceremony included a sacrifice of a lamb and a pigeon, but exceptions were made for those who were poor. Mary and Joseph were living in poverty, so the could only offer two pigeons (or doves) (v.24). Jesus was also presented to the Lord as the firstborn.

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. How did Simeon identify Jesus (Luke 2:32)?
2. Why did Simeon believe the promise (v.26)?
3. Describe Anna's life (vv. 36-37).
4. What made Anna respond child and what did she say Jesus would do for Jerusalem (v.38)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. How long had Anna and Simeon waited to see God's promise answered? How do you think they maintained their hope?
2. What are your thoughts on the phrase "This child is set for the fall and rising again of many" (from Luke 3:34)? Relate this to the importance of our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
3. In the In Focus story, the Barnes family faced a situation that only God could reconcile. To what do you attribute the problem the faced and the solution that came?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIEY

Our society tends to ignore older people. The faithfulness of seniors who have lived holy lives dedicated to God can teach those who are on this Christian journey. What can be done to reconcile generations in our churches and communities? As saints of God, do we have a responsibility to see that all saints, regardless of age, are valued as members of the Household of Faith?

MAKE IT HAPPEN

God is calling us to a life of holiness. Our age doesn't matter. Whether young or old, God wants us to live in ways that honor Him and the power of the Holy Ghost that is in us. What helps us draw nearer to God as we wait faithfully for His deliverance and return?


(Except from the Apostolic Light P.A.W.)

JESUS IS BORN

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

REVIEW the story of the shepherds and Jesus' birth; REFLECT on the meaning of Jesus' birth in contemporary times; and IDENTIFY the saving work of Jesus in the world today.

FOCAL VERSES Luke 2:1-17

KEEP IN MIND

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7).

AT-A-GLANCE

1. Going Back (Luke 2:1-6)
2. Coming Forth (vv. 7-12)
3. Spreading Out (vv. 13-17)

IN FOCUS STORY

Janelle knew Christmas was about more than buying gifts for her three children, but it didn't feel good not having the money to do so. She couldn't believe it was Christmas Eve and her checking account was negative. Desperately, she had applied for and been turned down for and advance loan. She cried when she learned that the Christmas toy giveaway had ended. There was nothing left for her to do but tell the kids the truth. "Tomorrow, there'll be no need to go downstairs and look under the tree," she told them sadly.
Without asking why, her 6-year-old son said, "That's okay, Mommy. My Sunday School teacher says that Jesus is only the gift we need. "That made Janelle cry even harder.
On Christmas morning, Janelle's children were all snuggled in bed with her when they her a knock on the door. There, they found Evangelist Carrington with a car full of gifts and food. "God lad you and the kids on my heart," she whispered to Janelle as they watched the kids eagerly open gifts.
Luke 2 teaches that Jesus is the most unique and honored gift humankind had ever or will ever receive. Worship Him!

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

Joseph. A just man from the lineage of David. He lived in Nazareth in Galilee. Before marrying Mary, he thought to leave the relationship when she told him she was pregnant. But then he received angelic communication that his fiancée was indeed pregnant with a child by the Holy Spirit. He chose to remain with her and raise the child.

Shepherds. Palestine shepherds had lives characterized by danger, hardship, and exposure to extreme heat and cold. Their equipment consisted of a cloak made of sheepskin and fleece which could be turned inside out for protection form the cold, and scrib or wallet for food and money, a staff with a crook to manage the flock and to be used as a weapon against foes, and a sling. The shepherd's occupation required great watchfulness, especially at night.

BACKGROUND

It is true that what the enemy means for evil, God allows for good. At the exact time Joseph and Mary were settling, waiting for the arrival of their firstborn child, Rome mad a decree for a regional census. With Mary so close to her due date, the couple must have wondered how they would make the 90-mile trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem. But God was working behind the scenes. To fulfill His promise, Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem, the City of David. What a better way to get His parents there than by a decree that required the couple to go back to their hometowns to pay taxes?
Homecomings are celebrated with much fanfare, but not this one. The census caused Bethlehem to be so overpopulated that every inn was decorated with No Vacancy signs. Breathtaking contractions caused Mary to stop at the only place she could find to deliver her son - a stable. Imagine Mary pushing between gulps of air in a smelly stable and grunting alongside noisy cows, horses, and pigs. She must've laughed to keep from crying, considering she brought forth the promised Child and had nowhere to lay Him but a feeding trough for makeshift crib.

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1.What caused Joseph and Mary to go back to Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-5)?
2. Whom did the angel tell to go see Jesus (vv. 8-12)?
3. After the announcement, who joined the angel and what did they say (vv. 12-13)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. How did God use the census to fulfill His promise?
2. What made the shepherds tell everyone about the birth of Jesus?
3. In the In Focus story, Janelle's children declared Jesus to be the greatest gift of all. In what was were they like the shepherd?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

The issue of Jesus' birth has become politically charged. Communities are taken to court for displaying a manager. The words "Merry Christmas" are now deemed insensitive to non-Christians. Even Christians argue against observing the birth of the Messiah based on whether the calendar is correct or a previous observance led to this one. As the Apostolic church, how should we be involved in restoring the spiritual focus of the season?

MAKE IT HAPPEN

Jesus is the reason for the season. If you have been baptized in Jesus' Name and filled with the Holy Ghost, how are you sharing your gift with the world? If you have not yet been saved, why are you rejecting the gift of salvation? What is hindering you?


(Except for the Apostolic Light P.A.W.)

ZACHARIAS PROPHESIES ABOUT HIS SON JOHN

 

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

REVIEW the narrative of the prophecy concerning John the Baptist; APPRECIATE the need to seek God's desire for the next generation; and ADDRESS the blessings given in Zacharia's prophecy.

FOCAL VERSES  Luke 1:57-58, 67-79

KEEP IN MIND

"And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins" (Luke 1:76-77).

 

AT-A-GLANCE

1. Praise for the Blessing (Luke 1:57-58)

2. Promises from God (vv. 67-75)

3. Prophecies for John (vv. 76-79)

 

IN FOCUS STORY

Horace woke up and found his two teen sons texting on their cell phones and playing video games. As a child, his Saturday mornings had been spent doing odd jobs in the neighborhood. He was concerned that his sons had become too entitled and selfish. He was glad that this was the day the Young People's auxiliary was working in the community to fix up a senior residence. The teens complained, but Horace told them they'd appreciate the experience after the visit.

As they arrived at the site, they saw someone fall. Horace's oldest son ran over to the elderly man who had fallen off the curb. The other son used used cell phone to call for help. Horace helped lift the man to a bench. While they waited with him for the paramedics, the man praised Horace's sons. "It's really good to see two young men who actually care." Horace smiled to himself. Maybe they really were getting the message he, their mom, and the pastor were teaching. Horace and his sons left that experience with a new perspective.

Parents desire their children to reach their God-given potential. but sometimes can't see what God is doing in their children's lives. In this lesson, Zacharias declares what God has revealed for his son.

 

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

Zacharias. Was also from a priestly family and was a descendant of Aaron. He was a priest ministering in the temple when an angel came to him and promised a son. His son, John, was born to him and Elisabeth in their old age.

Luke. The author of the third Gospel and the book of Acts. He was born in Antioch, learned medicine, and was know as "the beloved physician" (Colossians 4:14). He was the Apostle Paul's friend and companion on a few of his missionary journeys, including visiting Macedonia, Philippi, Caesarea, and Jerusalem. He probably died a martyr.

 

BACKGROUND

Chapter 1 begins with Luke informing readers that his only purpose in writing this book was to make a record of Jesus' birth so we would know the truth. With pleasure, he recounted the story of Zacharias and Elisabeth-a priest and his old barren wife. Zacharias was working in the temple when the angle Gabriel came to announce that Elisabeth would give birth to a son. When Zacharias questioned Gabriel's words, his voice was taken away so he could not speak until his son was born. Elisabeth hid herself for five months. In the sixth month of Elisabeth's pregnancy. Luke took us to Mary's house, a close relative Elisabeth. There, Mary also received a visit from Gabriel with the same announcement- she, too, would bear a son. But her pregnancy would not result from relations with a man but through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. Unlike Zacharias, Mary believed Gabriel. She then went to visit Elisabeth, where she stayed for three months.

 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. What is the relationship between Elisabeth and Mary (Luke 1:36)?

2. What is the "great mercy" that made neighbors and relatives rejoice with Eli

sabeth (Luke 1:58)?

3. Whom did Zacharias praise when his son was born (Luke 1:68)?

 

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. Explain what Luke 1:15 and Luke 1:67 help us understand about the Holy Ghost.

2. In the In Focus story, Horace was only able to see what God was doing when someone outside his home praised his sons. What impact might Zacharias' model of speaking praises to God for our children have on parents today? On children?

 

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

Zacharia's ability to speak was taken away from him when he verbalized unbelief. How can positive affirmation based on God's Word and the Holy Ghost help us reach and support the next generation?

 

MAKE IT HAPPEN

1. Having studied two songs of praise (Lesson 3 and 4) that give testimony to God's love and faithfulness, consider how your testimony follows the criteria of praise studied in the ViewPoints article. Then share your testitmony this week with at least three people.

 

2. This week, challenge yourself to practice something learned when you were a child-to only speak if you have something nice to say. Enjoy a week without complaining or criticizing. It should be a week of positivity.

 

(Except from the Apostolic Light P.A.W.)

 

 

 

MARY'S SONG OF PRAISE

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

EXPLORE themes in Mary's song of praise; APPRECIATE the morning of praise in response to God; and DEVELOP new ways of praising God in our testimonies.

FOCAL VERSES LUKE 1:46-56

KEEP IN MIND

"And the spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior" (Luke 1:47).

AT-A-GLANCE

1. God is the Subject of Her Song (Luke 1:46-50)
2. God Helped His People (vv. 51-56)

IN FOCUS STORY

Joe's mom was a singer at heart. She'd grown up singing in the church in her hometown. She later spent time touring with Motown. Joe was proud of the pictures that arrayed their home. His mom has pictures with all the greats.
Their home looked liked a "who's who" of the music industry.
When Joe was born, his mother was introduced to an Apostolic church, where she was baptized and received the Holy Ghost. Now his mother serves as the music director of the church. She is passionate about her work at the church and it shows. The choir has won several competitions nationwide and the church's album is on the top sellers in the gospel genre. Still, Joe wondered if his mom missed singing with so many celebrities on tour.

"Mom, don't you miss your time with Motown?" He asked.
"No. I thought the glitz and glamour was important then, but it pales in comparison to worshipping God. Now I'm singing to the Lord and I know this is what I was born to do."
After receiving the promise from Gabriel, Mary broke out in a song. In today's lesson, we discover the importance of praising God in response to His divine grace in our lives.

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

Mary, the virgin. The mother of Christ, the wife of Joseph, modeled faith for the church-the faith that realized the birth of Christ in her life and fostered her discipleship. Faith is belief in addition to trust the leads to total dependence on Christ and then bursts into activity, producing a life of service.

BACKGROUND

We take up Mary's story with her immediate decision to visit her aged, barren relative Elisabeth, who, as Gabriel had just revealed to Mary, was pregnant and six months along (1:36). Her pregnancy was miraculous, but we must never confuse how vastly different it was from the miracle occurring within Mary. Barren Elisabeth was not a virgin, and Zacharias was the natural father of her child. Nevertheless, what a surge of joy swept through Mary as she heard the shocking good news about the miracle in Elisabeth's womb, for it bore parallel testimony to God's power.
Luke matter-of-factly reports Mary's response: "At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea" (v. 39, NIV). Mary made hasty arrangements with her parents (Did she tell them? We do not know.) and rushed the 80 to 100 miles south to the countryside of Judea, a three-or four-day journey. Her haste indicates eagerness. She could not wait to get there. There were no leisurely teenaged conversations along the way. As she hurried along, she thought long and deep of their crossed destinies, as she and Elisabeth were both in miraculous pregnancies. And then she was there, unannounced, silhouetted in the old couple's doorway.
There was a strong human joy in the meeting of these two expectant mothers-one in the flower of youth, the other's bloom long gone. These two were to become innocent co-conspirators, soul-sisters in the divine plot to save the lost. They would share the hearts as few humans ever have. Through their birthing pain, sweat, blood, and mothering, the world would receive its greatest blessing.

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. What is the underlying reason Mary praised God (Luke 1:46)?
2. How did God scatter the proud (v. 51)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. Mary believed what Gabriel said. She believed that the virgin birth was possible and would happen. She trusted her whole life to God's promise. What does it mean to trust God's promise today?

2. In the In Focus Story, Joe's mother found that true meaning comes from sing God's praise. In what ways can we sing God's praise-even when we don't have a voice like Joe's mom?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

It is so much easier to follow than to lead. We have a tendency to look around and see what the rest of the world is doing, then follow suit.

 

1. As God's people, what responsibility do we have to appropriately represent the Lord in the way we live?

2. Do we have a responsibility to teach the next generation to represent the Lord in their actions, attitudes, and words?

MAKE IT HAPPEN

When we study God's Word, we are reminded of His promises. Our faith is shown in the way we obey God. In the upcoming week, begin to follow Mary's lead and praise God in the way you obey Him.

(Except from the Apostolic Light P.A.W)

JESUS' BIRTH FORETOLD

BY END THE END THE LESSON, WE WILL:

REVIEW the foretelling of Jesus' birth; REFLECT on the unexpected and perplexing events of our lives; and DEDICATE ourselves to the purpose of God.

 

FOCAL VERSES  LUKE 1:26-40

KEEP IN MIND

"And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS" (Luke 1:31).

 

AT-A-GLANCE

1. Christ's Birth Announced (Luke 1:26-38)

2. Mary Visited Elisabeth (vv. 39-40)

 

IN FOCUS

Month had passed since Dad announced to the boys they were going to have a new addition to the family. The boys were so excited because Damon, the oldest of the boys, wanted a sister. One day he told his parents he had been asking God to give him a sister.

After that prayer, his parents found out they were expecting. His mom and dad had just come back from seeing the doctor. Dad told the boys he wanted to tell them something. He said, "Looks like God has answered your prayers. Mom is expecting!"

Damon and his brother, Brandon, were so happy. Damon declared, "I know it is a girl because that's what I asked God for."

Sure enough, on February 12 in the wee hours of the morning, Damon's prayers were answered and his sister was born. With great excitement, Damon ran to his mom's hospital room. As soon as he saw his mom, he asked, "What is she?"

Everyone laughed and agreed-the little baby girl was an answer to prayer.

With God, nothing shall be impossible. In today's lesson, we are reminded of the events prior to the birth of Jesus. We should forever be grateful!

 

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

The Annunciation. In what many scholars believe to be the year 5 B.C., Mary, a virgin betrothed to Joseph, was living in Nazareth, a city in Galilee. The angel Gabriel came to her with a message from God, announcing that she was to be the mother of the long-excepted Messiah by the power of the Holy Spirit (1:26-38; cf. Romans 1:3).

Elisabeth (Elizabeth in NLT). The wife of Zacharias (Zechariah in NLT) and  mother of John the Baptist. She was a descendant of Aaron, Moses's brother and the first high priest of Israel. She remained childless until well advanced in years. For five months she concealed her pregnancy, but the angel Gabriel revealed it to Mary as an assurance to her of her own miraculous pregnancy (Luke 1:36-37). Mary visited her cousin, Elisabeth, and they exchanged congratulations and praised God together. Mary stayed with her for three months (vv. 39-56).

 

BACKGROUND

Luke introduces us to two major players-an exemplary couple named Zacharias and Elisabeth, who had received the grace of God in large measure. In the time of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife, Elisabeth, was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children because Elisabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years (vv. 5-7). In any culture, infertility is an aching disappointment and for some an almost unbearable stress. But the burden cannot be compared to that borne by childless women in ancient Hebrew culture, where barrenness was considered a disgrace-even a punishment. Barrenness carried a moral stigma because, in Jewish thinking, it was not the fate of the righteous. Elisabeth called her barrenness her "reproach" (v. 25).

 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. Who sent the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26)?

2. Why do you think verses 26 and 27 give such detail regarding Mary's status and family?

3. Mary asks a question in verse 34. Does her question constitute doubt? Why?

 

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. While Mary received a blessing, it came in a way that made it hard to imagine. Why do think God sometimes blesses us in such miraculous ways that others-and sometimes we-find hard to believe? What can increase our faith at these unexpected times?

2. Damon, the child in the In Focus story, believed God for a sister and was adamant that God would keep His promise. What do you believe God for? How has God revealed to you the assurance for your faith?

 

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

Today it is common for couples-young and old, celebrities, family members, and others we know-to have babies without being married. We celebrate the birth of the children as though the parents were following the way of the Lord. The truth is that fornication (premarital sex), like adultery (sex with a person other than your spouse), is sin! How do you think individuals and the church collectively should respond to these questions:

1. How can we help our youths, in particular, to realize that having children without a commitment of love and marriage is not God's way-regardless of what society says?

2. How do we celebrate the children and teach them the way of God despite the circumstances of their birth?

MAKE IT HAPPEN

1.Life can be hectic; therefore, we sometimes loose focus of God's purpose and promises for us. It is important t study His Word so that we know Him and the promises He has for His people. How do you maintain a proper perspective of God's purpose for you?

2. If you have not have been baptized in Jesus' Name and filled with the Holy Ghost, you need to seek God for a greater revelation of His power in your life. If you have the Holy Ghost, you probably understand how God is confirming his promises in your life. Determine to spend more time in the Bible and in prayer during this holiday season to be clear about what God would have you do.

 

(Except from The Apostolic Light Pentecostal Assemblies of the World).