December 20
Lesson 3
DEDICATION OF THE FIRSTBORN
DEVOTIONAL READING: 2 Chronicles 30:5–12
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Exodus 13:11–16; Leviticus 12:1–8; Numbers 3:5–13; Luke 2:21–39
EXODUS 13:13B–15
13b All the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.
14 And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:
15 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.
LUKE 2:22–32
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
KEY VERSE
When the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord.
—Luke 2:22
SACRED GIFTS AND HOLY GATHERINGS
Unit 1: What We Bring to God
LESSONS 1–4
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Match the presentation of the infant Jesus as firstborn with its Old Testament antecedent.
2. Compare and contrast modern baby-dedication ceremonies in the church with the Old Testament dedication of the firstborn.
3. Help plan a service regarding children born in the past year to families in the church.
LESSON OUTLINE
Introduction
A. “Order, Order!”
B. Lesson Background
I. Principle Presented (EXODUS 13:13b–15)
A. The Regulation (v. 13b)
B. The Reason (vv. 14, 15)
More on Birth Order
II. Principle Practiced (LUKE 2:22–32)
A. Everyday Action (vv. 22–24)
B. Expectant Man (vv. 25–27a)
C. Extraordinary Words (vv. 27b–32)
Whose Timing?
Conclusion
A. When the Firstborn Wasn’t Spared
B. Dedications Today
C. Prayer
D. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Canaan
Kay-nun.
Deuteronomy
Due-ter-ahn-uh-me.
Egypt
Ee-jipt.
Gabriel
Gay-bree-ul.
Leviticus
Leh-vit-ih-kus.
Messiah
Meh-sigh-uh.
messianic
mess-ee-an-ick.
Moses
Mo-zes or Mo-zez.
Nunc Dimittis
Nunk Dih-mit-us.
Pharaoh
Fair-o or Fay-roe.
Zacharias
Zack-uh-rye-us.
______________________________________________________What Do You Think?
How can we help children better understand the release from sin-bondage that under girds Jesus’ birth at Christmas?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ When the church gathers
■ At home
■ Other
______________________________________________________
What Do You Think?
What improvements can you make regarding the Christmas traditions that help your family focus on the true meaning of the holiday?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Events you attend
■ Shows you watch
■ How you decorate
■ Other
______________________________________________________
What Do You Think?
How can cultural traditions surrounding births be modified to encourage Christian parenting?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding baby showers
■ Regarding birth announcements
■ Other
______________________________________________________
What Do You Think?
When was an occasion you were in “the right place at the right time” to be a conduit of God’s blessing to another? How did things turn out?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding a fellow believer
■ Regarding an unbeliever
______________________________________________________
What Do You Think?
What will you do this Christmas season to help reveal Jesus to a lost world?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding personal witness
■ Regarding the nature of your Christmas decorations
■ Other
______________________________________________________
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