Bethlehem BECAUSE OF - Christianbook
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BethlehemBE CAUSE OFL OV E I S BOR N, HOPE I S H ER ESTUDY GUIDEGROUPS / INDIVIDUALSFOUR SESSIONSMax LucadoWith Christine M. Anderson9780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 37/11/16 1:39 PM
Because of Bethlehem Study Guide 2016 by Max LucadoAll rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, storedin a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means— electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other— exceptfor brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the priorwritten permission of the publisher.Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson isa registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.Published in association with Anvil II Management, Inc.Unless otherwise indicated Scripture quotations are taken from theHoly Bible, New International Version , NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978,1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. Allrights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “NewInternational Version” are trademarks registered in the United StatesPatent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. Scripture quotations marked MSG are from The Message. Copyright byEugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used bypermission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.Scripture quotations marked NCV are taken from the New CenturyVersion . Copyright 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. Allrights reserved.Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King JamesVersion. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.All rights reserved.Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the Holy Bible, New LivingTranslation. 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation.Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream,Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New RevisedStandard Version Bible, copyright 1989 the Division of ChristianEducation of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the UnitedStates of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.Thomas Nelson titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business,fundraising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e- mailSpecialMarkets@ThomasNelson.com.ISBN 978-0-310-68705-4First Printing July 20169780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 47/11/16 1:39 PM
ContentsRHow to Use This Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Session 1: God Has a Face . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Session 2: Worship Works Wonders. . . . . . . 35Session 3: God Guides the Wise. . . . . . . . . . 57Session 4: Every Heart a Manger. . . . . . . . . 79Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 999780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 57/11/16 1:39 PM
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How to Use This GuideGROUP SIZEThe Because of Bethlehem video study is designed to be experienced in a group setting such as a Bible study, Sunday school class,or any small group gathering. To ensure everyone has enoughtime to participate in discussions, it is recommended that largegroups break up into smaller groups of four to six people each.MATERIALS NEEDEDEach participant should have his or her own study guide, whichincludes notes for video segments, directions for activities anddiscussion questions, as well as practices to deepen learningbetween sessions.TIMINGThe time notations— for example (16 minutes)— indicate theactual time of video segments and the suggested times for each79780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 77/11/16 1:39 PM
8Because of Bethlehemactivity or discussion. Adhering to the suggested times will enable you to complete each session in about an hour. If you have alonger meeting, you may wish to allow more time for discussionand activities.PRACTICEEach session includes an application activity called a practicefor group members to complete on their own between meetings.Although the practice is completed outside of group time, it’s agood idea to briefly review it before concluding the meeting toclarify any questions and to make sure everyone is on board.FACILITATIONEach group should appoint a facilitator who is responsible forstarting the video and for keeping track of time during discussions and activities. Facilitators may also read questions aloudand monitor discussions, prompting participants to respond andensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate.9780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 87/11/16 1:39 PM
SESSION 1RGod Has a FaceThe Word became flesh and blood,and moved into the neighborhood.John 1:14 MSGThe celebration of Advent is possible only tothose who are troubled in soul, who knowthemselves to be poor and imperfect, and wholook forward to something greater to come.Dietrich Bonhoeffer,Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Christmas Sermons99780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 97/11/16 1:39 PM
WELCOMEWelcome to session 1 of Because of Bethlehem. If this is your firsttime together as a group, take a moment to introduce yourselvesto one another before watching the video. Then let’s begin!VIDEO: GOD HAS A FACE (16 MINUTES)Play the video segment for session 1. As you watch, use the outlineprovided to follow along or to take additional notes on anythingthat stands out to you.NotesChristmas is a season of traditions. To most kids, that jollyold elf is the very face of Christmas— and that face is everywhere this time of year.Christmas can also be a season of sadness, of lost hope anddisappointments.109780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 107/11/16 1:39 PM
God Has a Face11The story of Mary and Joseph:“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John1:14 NKJV).Why did God go so far? A chief reason is this: he wantsus to know that he gets us.Through a scandalous pregnancy, an imposed census, anuntimely trip, and an overcrowded inn, God triumphedin Mary’s story.The story of George Harley:Everything changed when the villagers saw the tears ofthe missionary. Everything changes for us when we seethe face of God.9780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 117/11/16 1:39 PM
12Because of BethlehemGod became one of us, and because of this, he knows us.If the King was willing to enter the world of animals andshepherds and swaddling clothes, don’t you think he’s willingto enter yours?God took on your face in the hope that you would see his.GROUP DISCUSSION (39 MINUTES)Take a few minutes with your group members to discuss whatyou just watched.1. What part of the teaching had the most impact on you?9780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 127/11/16 1:39 PM
God Has a Face13Preparing for Christmas2. At the beginning of the video, Max acknowledged some ofthe Christmas traditions he looks forward to each year, suchas sleigh bells, carolers, and the holiday classic, A CharlieBrown Christmas. These are just a few examples of traditions that typically lead up to Christmas Day and help usexperience the Christmas spirit. Using the list of categoriesbelow as a prompt, briefly describe one or two traditionsthat help you to enjoy the season and prepare for Christmaseach year. Decorations(decoratinghome or Christmas tree,going to see the lights, etc.) Christmascards (sendingor receiving) Outdooractivities (snowshoeing, etc.)special meals or desserts)(making decora-tions or gifts) Volunteering(parties, specialevents, overnight guests,etc.)vision shows, etc.)others through a church or(weekly services,special events, etc.) Cultural Visitor ethnic traditionsto Santa Family(serving(concerts,movies, plays, favorite tele Church(cooking or eating Craftingshopping Hosting Entertainmentskiing, ice- skating, snow Food Gifttraditions Travel Other:charitable organization)9780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 137/11/16 1:39 PM
14Because of Bethlehem What do you enjoy most about the tradition youdescribed? How does it contribute to making it feel likeChristmas each year? What might be gained and what might be lost if youexperienced none of these traditions before the day itself?In other words, no holiday decorations, no cards, no special meals or entertainment until Christmas Day. Wouldyou feel more or less prepared to celebrate and enjoyChristmas? Why?3. For centuries, Christians throughout the world have usedthe season of Advent to prepare themselves spiritually forChristmas. The word advent comes from the Latin wordadventus and simply means “coming” or “arrival.” Beginningeach year on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, Adventcommemorates the First Advent— Jesus’ birth— and alsoChrist’s return. Althoughanticipates the Second Advent— we tend to think of Advent as a season of celebration, it wasoriginally conceived primarily as a season of preparation— atime for prayer and self- reflection.9780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 147/11/16 1:39 PM
God Has a Face15 How would you characterize your experience of Adventover the years? For example, is it a tradition you grew upwith or is it new to you? What, if anything, changes in your perspective whenyou think of Advent primarily as a season of preparationrather than celebration? Overall, would you say it makesAdvent more or less appealing to you? Share the reasonsfor your response.God with Us4. Advent is a season of preparation because it is also a seasonof anticipation— a glorious gift is coming soon and we wantto be ready to receive it! In the prologue to his gospel, theapostle John proclaims the miraculous truth of the incarnation, the gift of God with us in human form:And the Word became flesh and lived among us, andwe have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s onlyson, full of grace and truth. . . . No one has ever seenGod. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’sheart, who has made him known (John 1:14, 18 NRSV).9780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 157/11/16 1:39 PM
16Because of BethlehemBecause God became human, we can see and know Godin the person of Jesus. We can also rely on the fact that Godknows us. He understands how we feel because he has facedwhat we face, including weakness, testing, and suffering.Author C. S. Lewis elaborates on the vital importance ofthis truth:God could, had he pleased, have been incarnate in aman of iron nerves, the Stoic sort who lets no sigh escape him. Of his great humility he chose to be incarnatein a man of delicate sensibilities who wept at the graveof Lazarus and sweated blood in Gethsemane. . . . Hehas faced all that the weakest of us face, has sharednot only the strength of our nature but every weaknessof it except sin. If he had been incarnate in a man of immense natural courage, that would have been for manyof us almost the same as his not being incarnate at all.1 Lewis contrasts two options for the kind of man Jesuscould have chosen to become— an invincible man ofiron nerves, or a vulnerable man of delicate sensibilities.Had Jesus chosen to be the invincible man, how do youimagine it might have undermined the miracle of theincarnation or diminished its power?9780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 167/11/16 1:39 PM
God Has a Face17 Briefly recall a recent or past experience of weakness,testing, or suffering. As you were going through it,which aspect of Christ’s nature would you say you weremost aware of and drawn to— his divinity (power) orhis humanity (vulnerability)? For example, did you findyourself praying more that Jesus would intervene andchange your situation, or that Jesus would be with youand comfort you?5. Max described the Christmas story as one that actuallyhas particular relevance for those who find themselves ina season of sadness, lost hope, or disappointment. We seethis especially in Mary’s experience. Although she eagerlyanticipated the arrival of her child, nothing leading up to thebirth of Jesus would have met Mary’s hopes and expectations. She hoped for a joyous celebration with family, but herunwelcome reality was a scandalous pregnancy, an imposedcensus, an untimely trip, and lowly accommodations withsheep and cattle. As you anticipate these weeks leading up to Christmas,what hopes and expectations are you aware of?9780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 177/11/16 1:39 PM
18Because of Bethlehem Words that describe Mary’s unwelcome reality includescandalous, imposed, untimely, and lowly. What wordswould you use to describe any unwelcome realities youmay be facing this holiday season? Or, in what ways, ifany, might this be a difficult time for you? In spite of, and out of, Mary’s chaos and hardships, Christcame. The season leading up to the first Christmas wasn’twhat she hoped for, but it was a miracle in the making.At the most unexpected time and place, Mary saw theface of God. Describing how God triumphed in Mary’sstory Max writes, “The manger dares us to believe thebest is yet to be. And it could all begin today.” As youconsider both your hopes and the unwelcome realitiesyou face, how do you respond to the idea that, like Mary,your circumstances could be a miracle in the making, anoccasion in which you may soon see the face of God?What might the manger be daring you to believe?9780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 187/11/16 1:39 PM
God Has a Face19Walking Together through Advent6. In addition to studying together, it’s also important to walktogether through Advent— to share your lives with oneanother and to be aware of how God is at work among you.In each session, there will be many opportunities to speaklife- giving— and life- challenging— words, and to listen toone another deeply.As you anticipate the next few weeks of learning andwalking together, what request would you like to make ofthe group? For example, how do you hope other memberswill challenge you or encourage you? Use one or more of thesentence starters below, or your own statement, to help thegroup understand the best way to be a good friend to youthroughout this study. As each person responds, use the two- page chart that follows to briefly note what is important tothat person and how you can be a good friend to him or herduring your discussions and times together.You can help me to take Advent seriously this year by . . .I’d like you to consistently challenge me about . . .It really helps me to engage in a group when . . .I tend to withdraw or feel anxious when . . .In our discussions, the best thing you could do for meis . . .9780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 197/11/16 1:39 PM
20Because of BethlehemName9780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 20The Best Way I Can Be a GoodFriend to This Person Is . . .7/11/16 1:39 PM
God Has a FaceName9780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 2121The Best Way I Can Be a GoodFriend to This Person Is . . .7/11/16 1:39 PM
22Because of BethlehemINDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY:WHAT I WANT TO REMEMBER(2 MINUTES)Complete this activity on your own.1. Briefly review the outline and any notes you took.2. In the space below, write down the most significant thingyou gained in this session— from the teaching, activities, ordiscussions.What I want to remember from this session . . .RAdvent PracticeEach session in the Because of Bethlehem study includes anAdvent practice for you to complete between sessions. Althoughthe practice is completed on your own and outside of group time,it’s a good idea to briefly preview the practice description beforeconcluding your meeting each week. As an intentional act of preparing our hearts for Christmas, the Advent practices throughoutthe study require setting aside a brief amount of time each day tocomplete. To get the most out of the practice, it’s important not tohurry or try to complete activities at the last minute.9780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 227/11/16 1:39 PM
God Has a Face23In addition to the Advent practice, session 1 also includes anoptional Advent reflection. This brief exercise is designed to helpyou begin Advent by considering how the weeks leading up toChristmas typically impact you. It’s not necessary to read throughthe reflection as a group, but before concluding, do review together the session 1 Advent practice, which follows the reflection.RCLOSING PRAYERClose your time together with prayer.9780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 237/11/16 1:39 PM
SESSION 1Advent Reflectionand PracticeADVENT REFLECTION: PREPARE HIM ROOM“Let every heart prepare him room,” writes Isaac Watts in thebeloved Christmas hymn “Joy to the World.” And that is whatAdvent is intended to help us do. It is a season of preparation andanticipation, a time to ready our hearts and lives for the arrivalof the King. But too often, the time and attention required forspiritual preparation gets lost in the busyness and pressures of theholiday season. Author Ronald Rolheiser writes:Our time of preparation is generally more of a time to prepare our houses than a time to prepare our souls, moreof a time of shopping than of prayer, and more of a timeof already feasting than a time of fasting as a preparationfor a feast. Today, Advent is perhaps more about already249780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 247/11/16 1:39 PM
Advent Reflection and Practice25celebrating Christmas than it is about preparing for it. Andthe end result is that, like the biblical innkeepers who hadno room for Mary and Joseph at the first Christmas, wegenerally arrive at Christmas with “no room at the inn,” nospace in our lives for a spiritual rebirth.2If we want to arrive at Christmas with a heart wide open forthe Christ child, we need to be intentional about making roomfor him now. The question Advent invites us to consider is this:How ready am I for the arrival of the King? Before engaging theAdvent practice for this week, take a few moments to reflect onwhat the weeks ahead might be like for you.1. Use the statements that follow to briefly assess how theseweeks leading up to Christmas typically impact you. Foreach statement, circle the number on the continuum that bestdescribes your response.Physical: During the weeks leading up to Christmas, I amconsistently able to meet my body’s needs for rest, exercise,nutrition, hygiene, medical care, etc.123Not trueat all of me9780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 25456Moderatelytrue of me78910Completelytrue of me7/11/16 1:39 PM
26Because of BethlehemRelational: During the weeks leading up to Christmas, I amconsistently able to give and receive love, maintain healthyboundaries, be attentive to the needs and concerns ofothers, and to allow others to care for and listen to me.1234Not trueat all of me5678Moderatelytrue of me910Completelytrue of meEmotional: During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Iam consistently able to express feelings, manage stress, andmaintain perspective when things don’t go my way.1234Not trueat all of me5678Moderatelytrue of me910Completelytrue of mePace of life: During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Iam consistently able to maintain a reasonable pace of life. Ihave adequate time to accomplish tasks, sufficient marginsto be flexible with changing demands, and time to enjoypeople and activities that give me life.1234Not trueat all of me5678Moderatelytrue of me910Completelytrue of meFinancial: During the weeks leading up to Christmas, I amconsistently able to avoid debt, be intentional with spending, generous in giving, and wise in saving.123Not trueat all of me9780310687054 BecauseBethlehemSG int SC.indd 26456Moderatelytrue of me78910Completelytrue of me7/11/16 1:39 PM
Advent Reflection and Practice27Spiritual: During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Iam consistently able to rest in God, spend time with him,respond to his leading, trust him with unknowns, grow inmy love for
The Because of Bethlehem video study is designed to be experi-enced in a group setting such as a Bible study, Sunday school class, or any small group gathering . To ensure everyone has enough time to participate in discussions, it is recommended that large groups break up into smaller groups of four to six people each . MATERIALS NEEDED
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Der Stern von Bethlehem Als Jesus geboren war in Bethlehem in Judäa zur Zeit des Königs Herodes, siehe, da kamen Weise aus dem Morgenland nach Jerusalem und sprachen: Wo ist der neugeborene König der Juden? Wir haben seinen Stern gesehen im Morgenland und sind gekommen, ihn anzubeten. Matthäus-Evangelium 2, 1 2
Der „Stern von Bethlehem“ aber bewegte sich auf Bahnen. Die im Frühling 5 v. Chr. von chinesischen Astronomen mitgeteilte Nova, von Clark et. al. (1977) als „Stern von Bethlehem“ angesehen, war im Westen nicht gesehen worden. Cullen (1979) zweifelt an der Interpretation von Clark et. al. und bringt
Der Stern von Bethlehem Einige Wissenschafter glauben, dass der „Stern von Bethlehem“, wie er in der Bibel beschrieben wird, ein tatsächliches himmlisches Ereignis war. Einige Astronomen haben vorgeschlagen, der später beschriebene „Stern“ wäre eine Konjunktion einiger Planeten gewesen. Eine Möglichkeit, die die Grundlage des .
Stern von Bethlehem gesucht. Der Kirchen-schriftsteller und Theologe Origenes – 185 bis 254 - war der Meinung, dass der Stern von Bethlehem ein Komet gewesen sein muss. Diese Meinung gilt auch in unseren Tagen noch. Der Stern von Bethlehem wird immer mit einem Schweif dargestellt. Im 17. Jahrhundert hatte Johannes Keppler,
Amanda Eckhardt, p. 1 AMANDA ECKHARDT, PH.D. 111 Research Drive Bethlehem, PA 18015 610-751-3485 eckhardt@lehigh.edu EDUCATION 08/05 – 09/11 Ph.D. Counseling Psychology, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 08/04 – 01/07 M.Ed. Counseling and Human Services, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 08/00 – 05/03 B.S. Psych
Bethlehem Wire Rope . Wirerope Works, Inc. (WW), manufac-turer of Bethlehem Wire Rope, offers four grades of Bethlehem Mining Rope for different applications. Purple grade wire, known as Improved Plow Stee
Immersive Adventure Tourism is about building up to the adventure activity with soft immersion in the natural and culture assets that make a place distinct from any other. The aging population is a big driver of this trend. 2/3 rd’s Of travellers cite adventure 42% costs, on avg. are spent directly in activities as the focus of their holidays, the lions share of which are “soft .
