Prayer (5 Minutes)
- Have everyone share one thing they were thankful for in the week.
- Have everyone share one prayer request.
Song (5 Minutes)
Scripture (5 Minutes)
Luke 2:8–20 (NLT)
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
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.”
They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 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.
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
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.”
They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 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.
Discussion (5-10 Minutes)
You can lead through a teaching or use the following questions to start a discussion:
- If you were one of those shepherds, what do you think would be going through your mind when you first saw the angel?
- Why do you think God chose shepherds, who were considered pretty low in society, to be some of the first to hear about Jesus' birth?
- The shepherds were told they would find the baby in a manger (a feeding trough for animals). Why do you think Jesus was born in such a humble place instead of a palace or somewhere fancy?
- The shepherds immediately went to see Jesus and then told everyone about what they experienced. How can we share our experiences with God in our everyday lives?
Closing Prayer (3 Minutes)
Dear God,
Thank you for sending Jesus, just as you told the shepherds long ago. Help us to be like those shepherds - filled with joy at the good news, eager to meet Jesus, and ready to share His story with others.
As we wait for Christmas, keep our hearts focused on the true gift - your Son, our Savior.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Thank you for sending Jesus, just as you told the shepherds long ago. Help us to be like those shepherds - filled with joy at the good news, eager to meet Jesus, and ready to share His story with others.
As we wait for Christmas, keep our hearts focused on the true gift - your Son, our Savior.
In Jesus' name, Amen.