Sunday School Lesson December 20, 2020

Subject: Embracing Joy

The Point: We can experience great joy because Jesus saves.

The Passage: Psalm 95:1-3, Luke 2:4-14

Study The Bible: Psalm 95:1-3

1).  We can experience joy because God is our salvation.

Psalm 95:1-3

1. Come, let’s shout joyfully to the Lord, shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation!
2. Let’s enter his presence with thanksgiving; let’s shout triumphantly to him in song.
3. For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods.

Lasting truths from Psalm 95:1-3

• God’s people ought to shout joyfully and triumphantly as we praise the rock of our salvation.
• As Christians, we have a standing invitation to enter into God’s presence.
• Our praise should begin with giving thanks to God and we should hold nothing back in exalting Him.
• The Lord is a great God. He is king of all.

2). Jesus, the Son of God, was born to bring us salvation.

Luke 2:4-7

4. Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David,
5. to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant.
6. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
7. Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Lasting truths from Luke 2:4-7

• Joseph and pregnant Mary really did travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census because they were descendants of David.
• Jesus was born in Bethlehem as prophesied in Micah 5:2. Jesus was wrapped in cloth and laid in a manger, because no guest room was available for them.
• God perfectly ordered the event of this passage to bring about His perfect will.

3). The birth of Jesus is cause for great joy.

Luke 2:8-14

8. In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.
9. Then an angel of the Lord stood around them, and they were terrified.
10. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11. Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
12. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
13. Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
14. Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!

Lasting truths from Luke 2:8-14

• The birth of Jesus is cause for great Joy.
• The birth of the sacrificial Lamb for the sins of all mankind was announced first to lowly shepherds but it is for all people.
• Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem fulfilled many prophecies in the Old Testament.
• The angel terrified the shepherds, but the good news he proclaimed brought great joy.

Live It Out

As you reflect on this session, respond to the following questions.

1. What captures your attention in this account of Jesus’ birth?
2. How would you sum up the good news of Jesus’ birth?
3. How has your life changed because of the birth of Jesus?

Closing Prayer:

“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You, In Jesus’ name, Amen”