This workshop leader’s Bible study is a historical, theological, and contextual introduction to the Advent – Mary and Joseph Birth Narrative rotation of Kirk of Kildaire’s Faith Quest workshop rotation program. It is intended to provide workshop leaders with:
· A historical context for understanding the Bible story.
· A Biblical context for reading and teaching the story.
· The theological basis for the concepts to be taught to the children.
In Kirk of Kildaire’s Faith Quest program, workshop leaders attend a one-hour Bible study two weeks prior to the start of a new rotation. This Bible study helps workshop leaders understand how the concepts to be taught to the children are derived from the Bible story and how the lessons in the rotation fit together to reinforce the concepts. It also provides an opportunity for the workshop leaders to grow in their own faith and understanding of the Bible.
It will be helpful to have a chalkboard, whiteboard, or flip chart for writing down questions or observations during the Bible study.
Note: This is not a comprehensive study of the text, but only a few notes to help provide context and background for workshop leaders. Consult titles cited in the reference list at the end of these notes for more information.
Luke 1:26-38 and 2: 1-7
“A child has been born for us. We have been given a son who will be our ruler. His names will be wonderful Advisor and Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (CEV).
· Nothing is impossible for God.
· God brings new hope into the world through Jesus.
· Jesus came into the world to fulfill God’s plan.
· Doing God’s work is a blessing.
· The Holy Spirit gives us the power to do God’s work.
· If workshop leaders do not know each other, give them an opportunity to introduce each other and say which workshop they will be leading.
· Begin the Bible study by praying for God’s guidance as teachers begin a new rotation.
Ask a workshop leader to read the text aloud. Since this rotation focuses on an entire chapter, you might want to divide the reading among three or four workshop leaders.
Ask the workshop leaders what questions came to mind as they heard the story or read it before the Bible study. Write down any questions that arise and will need to be answered during the Bible study.
Background on Luke
Luke is one of the Four Gospels. The book itself does not identify the author but tradition traces authorship of both Luke and Acts to a physician who was a friend of Paul’s (Culpepper, 4). Luke was probably a Gentile who knew Greek well and was quite familiar with the OT and Jewish practices (Culpepper, 9). The writing of the Gospel is dated to the mid-eighties AD.
Luke’s gospel is similar in form to ancient biographies. It contains seven main sections as indicated below (Culpepper, 10).
Luke 1:1-4 The Prologue
Luke 1:5-2:52 The Infancy Narrative
Luke 3:1-4:13 Preparation for the Ministry of Jesus
Luke 4:14-9:50 The Ministry in Galilee
Luke 9:51-19:27 The Journey to Jerusalem
Luke 19:28-21:38 The Ministry in Jerusalem
Luke 22:1-24:53 The Passion and Resurrection Narratives
“The Lukan Jesus is compassionate, a friend to outcasts. Luke also relates Jesus to the history of Israel, the Scriptures, contemporary world history, and the unfolding of God’s redemptive purposes in human history. Jesus is the Savior sent to seek and to save the lost” (Culpepper, 4). Some of the many titles used for Jesus in Luke are:
Luke 1:26-38 and 2:1-7
According to Culpepper, Luke’s infancy narrative is different from others “in that it constructs parallels and contrasts between the births and roles of John the Baptist and Jesus” (11). We also can see right away Luke’s concern for the ordinary, poor, downtrodden and outcast people in the world. “God chose the lowly rather than the high and mighty to fulfill the plan of redemption” (Culpepper, 52). We can see this choice in the people of Zechariah, Elizabeth, John, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus and in the way that God entered the world – as a helpless infant born to unwed parents in a stable in a relatively insignificant small town. As a matter of fact it is scandalous that God would even enter life as a human at all and yet the scandal is a sign of hope for us (Culpepper, 52-53, 67).
How are the Gospel’s themes played out in these particular passages?
Ask each workshop leader to summarize his or her workshop. As they do so, point out the concepts that each lesson reinforces. Ask workshop leaders if they have any questions about the logistics or practical application of their lesson.
· In Creation Station the children will review all the concepts while creating a banner that will commemorate Jesus’ birth and the events that affected Mary and Joseph.
Nothing is impossible for God.
God brings new hope into the world through Jesus.
· In Good News the children will learn that Jesus brings hope and that we can also find hope in seeing God’s plans fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
· In Apostles’ Playhouse the children will act out Jesus’ birth and talk about how it affected Mary, Joseph and the shepherds.
· In Bread of Life Café the children will learn about what Jesus’ name means and will celebrate the hope he brings by baking angel cookies.
Jesus came into the world to fulfill God’s plan.
· In Good News the children will learn about many of the prophecies made concerning Jesus and will discover that Jesus’ birth was part of God’s plan from the beginning.
· In Apostles’ Playhouse the children will act out the story of Jesus’ birth.
· In Bread of Life Café the children will learn about Gabriel’s message to Mary and her faithful response while baking angel cookies.
· After watching Charlie Brown’s Christmas in Holywood, the children will learn about the true meaning of Christmas as Charlie Brown did.
Doing God’s work is a blessing.
· In Antioch Arcade the children will learn about how even when the task seems difficult, it is a blessing to be called by God to do God’s work.
· In Holywood, the children will think of no-cost ways to do God’s work.
The Holy Spirit gives us the power to do God’s work.
· In Antioch Arcade the children will learn that the Holy Spirit helped Mary and will help them when they are called to do God’s work.
· While thinking of no-cost ways to serve God in Holywood, the children will learn that it is the Holy Spirit that empowers us.
Return to the questions that were gathered at the start of the hour. Have they been answered? Are there any further questions about the Bible story or about the lessons?
Close the Bible study with a prayer.
Craddock, Fred. “Luke.” Interpretation. James Luther Mays, et al. editors. (Louisville, John Knox Press, 1990). (pp. 1-12, 21-37).
Culpepper, R. Alan. “Luke.” The New Interpreter’s Bible, vol. IX. Leander Keck, et al. editors. (Nashville, Abingdon Press, 1995). (pp.3-37 and 49-67).