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(Luke 2:7-8) Why do you think the message of Jesus' birth comes to shepherds, of all people? Why is Jesus born in a stable with a manger for a bed? This has to be intentional. What point is God making? I think that right from the beginning God was making it clear the His Son had come for the whole world, even the most humble person. He was placed in a manger because there was no room in the inn, presumably because the census had caused a lot of influx of people into Bethlehem. I think God did this so that people would not have the wrong idea about who Jesus was and what His purpose on earth was. He did not come as a political leader, but as the saviour of the world.

Why do you think the journey to Bethlehem was difficult for Mary? Is pleasure an indication that we are in God's will or not? Any examples from your life? Extra Credit: Argue for or against this proposition: "Being a consistent Christian causes more hardships than just going with the flow." She was 9 months pregnant travelling on dusty dirty hilly roads with no place proper to sleep at night. It would have been exhausting. Pleasure a not a good measuring stick to determine if you are in God's will or not. Clearly Mary's journey would not have been a vacation, however, there would be a measure of pleasure in knowing that she was serving God. I think that being a Christian causes different hardships than going with the flow. As a consistent Christian you will sometimes stand out of the crowd which will lead some to misunderstand, hate or despise you. However, as a Christian you will avoid many of Satan's traps and will not live a life of slavery to sin. I would choose freedom from sin over going with the flow.

(Luke 2:1-2) Why does Luke name the rulers in 2:1-2? What point is he making? I think that Luke was placing Jesus into a historical context. It also reveals God's sovereignty in all things, to orchestrate a census by a foreign ruler that would fulfill ancient prophecy by bringing Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem.

(Matthew 1:23) How did the prophetic concept of the virgin conception and the name "Immanuel" find their fullness in the birth of Jesus to Mary? This prophecy was partially fulfilled in the time of Ahaz, but reached complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Immanuel means God with us and Jesus is God and He came to live among us as a man. If Jesus was just an ordinary child, conceived by a man and a woman, he would have had a sin nature and he would not have been God.

(Matthew 1:21) What is the significance of the name Jesus? Why do you think the angel gave the name to both Mary (Luke 1:31) and Joseph independently? Jesus means "Yahweh saves" and that is exactly what Jesus came to do, save us from the penalty of our sins. He told them both, I suppose, so that there would be no argument or question as to what His name should be.

(Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? Mary didn't really have many options. Joseph had some options. He could have married her, quietly divorced her, or publicly disgraced her (which would have led to her death by stoning). Joseph must have been a gentle and loving man. He was not a legalist or a hot head.

What would Jesus have learned as the son of a carpenter? What experiences would this have exposed him to? He would have learned carpentry: working with wood, building things, carving, design and skilled with His hands. He knew how to work hard, exhaustion, pain, splinters, working with people (customers).

(Luke 1:42-43) In what sense are the titles "Blessed Virgin Mary" and "Mother of God" appropriate for Mary? Why are we sometimes hesitant to exalt her as "blessed among women" Mary was blessed, she was a virgin and Jesus, her son, is God. I think we often err on the side of caution because some groups have exalted Mary above her position, placing her as an equal with God and displacing Jesus as our Saviour and intercessor. However, Scripture clearly states that she is blessed among women, so I think we can look to her as an example of Godly womanhood.

(Luke 1:38) What is the essence of Mary's positive response to the angel? What can we learn from her response for our own lives? In what sense was Mary's response an "informed consent"? When we respond to God, what do we consent to? She is humble and obedient, accepting God's plan for her with great faith. We can know that the Lord won't take us down a road that will lead us to harm. We can have faith that even though circumstances in our lives look bad that He will turn it to good (like the story of Soul Surfer). Mary understands the situation and submits to God's plan. Sometimes we are consenting to trials and difficult circumstances. We also acknowledge His sovereignty over us.

(Luke 1:35) What does the virgin conception teach us about Jesus' nature? How central is the doctrine of the virgin conception to the Christian message? It teaches us that Jesus did not have a sin nature because He was not born of a man. It's essential that Jesus be born of a virgin. If He had not then He could not have paid the penalty for our sins. Bye, bye gospel, bye bye Christian message.

(5:19-20) In the light of James' emphasis on active faith vs. dead faith (2:17), why is the role of finding and bringing back the wandering sheep so important? To bring a child of God back to active faith in God is a great victory and brings glory and honour to God, while at the same time avoiding the potential shame that can be heaped on the name of God when a believer strays.

(5:14-16) In the healing prayer, what is the role of oil? What is the role of the prayer of faith? What is the role of faith? What is the role of confession of sins? I think that the oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit and is a good visual reminder that the healing work is God's work, not the work of a person. The anointing of oil helps ensure that all the glory goes to God for this healing work. It is the prayer offered in faith that makes the sick person well, but it is the Lord who raises the person up. It is the faith of those that are praying that is the catalyst to the Lord's healing work. Sometimes our sicknesses are a direct result of sin in our lives. It is important to have confessed these sins to God, repented and asked for forgiveness and also that we confess to those we have sinned against and sought forgiveness from them. When we are right before God and man our prayers are more effective and powerful.

(Luke 1:34) In what way does Mary's "How?" question (1:34) to the angel's declaration differ from Zechariah's "How?" question (1:18)? Why was Mary rewarded and Zechariah disciplined? Zechariah's question revealed a lack of faith while Mary's question revealed a lack of understanding. Mary was rewarded for her extraordinary faith, Zechariah was disciplined because he didn't believe, even when an angel was right in his face talking to him in the Holy of Holies in the temple in Jerusalem.

(Luke 1:31-34) What did the angel's announcement say about who Mary's Child was and who he was to become? He will be a boy, He will be called Jesus, He will be great, He's God's Son, He will be given the throne of David, reign over the house of Jacob, His kingdom will never end, He's the holy one.

(5:14) What is the elders' role in prayer for the sick? What must be their spiritual qualifications for this ministry of prayer? The elders are to pray over the sick person and anoint him with oil. This prayer must be offered in faith.