December 21
Lesson 3
GIVE GLORY TO GOD
DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 19
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:1–20
LUKE 2:8–20
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Graphic: Dorling Kindersley RF/Thinkstock
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
KEY VERSE
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
—Luke 2:20
ACTS OF WORSHIP
Unit 1: In Awe of God
LESSONS 1–4
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Describe how God’s glory was revealed in the story of the Bethlehem shepherds.
2. Compare and contrast the reactions of first-century individuals and groups regarding the news of Christ’s birth with each other and with modern reactions.
3. Commit to sharing one’s own wonder at the birth of Christ with an unbeliever.
LESSON OUTLINE
Introduction
A. Baby Portrait: Awesome and Lowly
B. Lesson Background
I. Exalted Announcement (LUKE 2:8–14)
A. Quiet Night (v. 8)
B. Blaze of Glory (vv. 9, 10)
C. Startling Information (vv. 11, 12)
D. Angelic Chorus (vv. 13, 14)
No Aurora Borealis!
II. Submissive Response (LUKE 2:15–20)
A. Immediate Obedience (v. 15)
B. Amazing News (vv. 16–18)
C. Quiet Reflection (v. 19)
A New Interpretive Grid
D. Joyful Celebration (v. 20)
Conclusion
A. Quite a Contrast!
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
aurora borealis
uh-roar-uh boar-ee-a-lus (a as in mad).
Bethlehem
Beth-lih-hem.
Caesar
See-zer.
Gabriel
Gay-bree-ul.
Hosea
Ho-zay-uh.
Isaiah
Eye-zay-uh.
Pax Romana (Latin)
Pahks Ro-mah-nah. (Latin)
Weatherly, Jon et al. “Give Glory to God.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2014–2015. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jonathan Underwood. Vol. 62. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2014. 138–139. Print.
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