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The Road to Bethlehem the Road to Bethlehem Table of Contents Leader Preparation

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The Road to Bethlehem the Road to Bethlehem Table of Contents Leader Preparation The Road To Bethlehem The Road To Bethlehem Table of Contents Leader Preparation.............................................................................................................................................1 Lesson Overview.....................................................................................................................................1 Lesson Objectives....................................................................................................................................1 Primary Scripture - Luke 2: 1-20.............................................................................................................1 The Birth of Jesus..............................................................................................................................2 Secondary Scriptures - Prophesy and Importance of Bethlehem.............................................................2 Teaching Prep..........................................................................................................................................2 The Before & After (optional)...........................................................................................................................8 Text Message Questions..........................................................................................................................8 Parent Email.............................................................................................................................................8 Lesson Guide.......................................................................................................................................................9 Getting Things Started (optional)............................................................................................................9 Teaching Points........................................................................................................................................9 Application.............................................................................................................................................11 Announcements......................................................................................................................................12 Shared Prayer and Peace........................................................................................................................12 VIDEOS For Lesson On The Road to Bethlehem.................................................................................12 i Leader Preparation Lesson Overview The Hardships of the Journey of Mary & Joseph Before Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph had some major hurdles to overcome. Theirs is a tale of courage in the face of immense challenges. The roots of the Christmas story have nothing to do with lighted trees, elves, presents or gift wrap (though these can certainly serve as lovely accoutrements). Instead, at the heart of the Christmas story is one family who overcome many hardships and difficulties by perseverance, trust in God, and great faith in God and each other. The story of their journey to Bethlehem can teach us much about how to navigate our own difficult times. It can teach us where to turn when we are scared, confused or troubled. As Mary and Joseph did - we should also do - turn to God in trust and faith. After Jesus was born, all wasn't eternal merriment and delight. Quite the contrary. Mary and Joseph lived in perplexing times! The political climate was unstable and a maniacal ruler named Herod was murdering children in the search for an infant king. Mary and Joseph persevered. They were the epitome of resilience. From the moment they found out that she was going to birth that totally unexpected baby, Mary and Joseph clung tightly to the truth that love is stronger than fear. Even when they were living as refugees in Egypt (yes, it's true; our King of Kings spent a season of life as a toddler refugee), they held onto hope. Mary and Joseph traveled the road to Bethlehem as the law demanded to be counted in the census. And it was there that Jesus was born. This road was very difficult - the travel itself was long and arduous. The cirsumstances of Mary being pregnant but not by Jospeh added to the drama. And with Mary ready to give birth, the situation became dire. This road to Bethlehem became a road for all of us for peace - freedom - salvation. What road are we traveling on? Lesson Objectives To help the students understand the historical and personal circumstances surrounding the lives of Mary, Joseph as they began their journey to Bethlehem. To help the students grasp the difficulty of this journey - the road they took - and what awaited them in Bethlehem. To help prepare the students for the Christmas story - its deeper meanings and how they relate to our lives. Primary Scripture - Luke 2: 1-20 Luke 2: 1-20 1 The Road To Bethlehem The Birth of Jesus 2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Secondary Scriptures - Prophesy and Importance of Bethlehem 1. Micah 5:2 - born in Bethlehem 2. Isaiah 11:1 - born of the family of Jesse 3. Jeremiah 23:5 - born of the house of David Teaching Prep The Hardships of the Journey of Mary & Joseph Before Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph had some major hurdles to overcome. Theirs is a tale of courage in the face of immense challenges. The roots of the Christmas story have nothing to do with trees, elves, or gift wrap (though these can certainly serve as lovely accoutrements). Instead, at the heart of the Christmas story is one family who refused to allow the insidious nature of fear to pervade their lives. After Jesus was born, all wasn't eternal merriment and delight. Quite the contrary. Mary 2 The Road To Bethlehem and Joseph lived in perplexing times! The political climate was unstable and a maniacal ruler named Herod was murdering children in the search for an infant king. Mary and Joseph persevered. They were the epitome of resilience. From the moment they found out that she was going to birth that totally unexpected baby, Mary and Joseph clung tightly to the truth that love is stronger than fear. Even when they were living as refugees in Egypt (yes, it's true; our King of Kings spent a season of life as a toddler refugee), they held onto hope. The Journey Mary and Joseph were compelled to make the long journey to Bethlehem after a census was proclaimed by Caesar Augustus, the Roman emperor. Joseph hailed from Bethlehem in Judea, and the decree required citizens to register at their birthplaces. The shortest route to Bethlehem was directly south through Samaria, but its hilly terrain would have proven particularly arduous for Mary, who was in the late stages of pregnancy. Other factors in avoiding that route were the hostile Samaritans in the region, who could have posed a threat to the two travelers, and the knowledge that it would be difficult for them to find lodgings. Finally, the Samaritans were considered unclean and not of the Jewish faith. So it is unlikely that they took the straight path to Bethlehem through Samaria. It's believed that Mary and Joseph chose a safer, longer and more comfortable route that took them southeast through the Jezreel Valley and further east to the Jordan Valley. Continuing south to Jericho, they probably proceeded up through the Judean Desert to Jerusalem and onward to Bethlehem. By the end of their difficult trek, the couple would have walked more than 90 miles; much of that distance across difficult terrain.
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