Going Deeper in "A Message from Heaven"
Luke 2:8-20
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
Read the following a few times:
Reflect on the following:
1. Why do you think God chose shepherds—ordinary, lowly individuals—to be the first to hear the news of Jesus' birth?
2. What does the phrase "good news of great joy for all people" mean to you personally?
3. How did the shepherds respond to the angels' message, and what can we learn from their immediate obedience?
4. Have you ever experienced a moment where God called you to act quickly and in faith, like the shepherds?
5. How does the multitude of angels praising God (verse 14) inspire our understanding of worship today?
6. What does "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace" teach us about the purpose of Jesus’ coming?
7. The shepherds actively sought out Jesus (verse 16). How can we seek Jesus in our daily lives?
8. After seeing Jesus, the shepherds shared the good news (verse 17). What stops us from sharing our faith, and how can we overcome this?
9. How does Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, offer protection and guidance in your life? Can you think of specific moments when you felt His care?
10. Mary treasured and pondered all these things in her heart (verse 19). How do you practice reflection and meditation on God's work in your life?
11. How did the experience of encountering Jesus and witnessing the angels transform the shepherds (verse 20)?
Challenges:
1. Like the shepherds, share the "good news" of Jesus' love and peace with at least one person this week. This could be through a conversation, a text, or an act of kindness.
2. Spend time daily this week intentionally praising God, reflecting the angels’ example. Include a focus on gratitude in your prayers or worship.