Christmas Lesson Part 1: Simeon - Cornerstone Christian Fellowship · 2019. 2. 17. · Christmas...
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Christmas Lesson Part 1: Simeon The focus of this lesson is to introduce Simeon and emphasize the fact that he lived his life expecting God’s promises to be fulfilled. Start a dialogue about the meaning of the word “expecting”: • What does the word “expect” mean? (Allow students to define the word before reading the definition) o Definition: To look forward to; regard as likely to happen; anticipate the occurrence or the coming of -- To think that something will probably or certainly happen, to think that someone or something will arrive or that something will happen o When you expect something, you have an idea that something will be happening at a future time. You have the idea in your head of what is going to happen and you look to the future knowing that it will happen. • Can you think of examples of things you might expect? (Allow students time to come up with some ideas of their own, you can use these examples to help guide them in the right direction) o When you see a pregnant mother, you expect a baby is coming o When you see dark clouds, you expect rain is coming o During the season of Christmas, you expect to do Christmas traditions with your family o When you grow up, you might expect to get married o When the cold winter is over, you expect spring to bring warmer days and new growth for plants • Let’s think about the Jews who lived during the time that the Old Testament was written. Can you think of a promise God gave to David that would make them expect something very specific? o Promise God made to David: 2 Samuel 7:12 "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 "He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 "I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. o God made a promise that a descendant of David’s would come and set up a kingdom – that this descendant would be the Son of God and king of the kingdom! • We know that God spoke at various times and in various ways. One way He spoke in the Old Testament was through the prophets. The Jews would have heard the prophecies that Isaiah and Micah spoke of concerning this coming descendant. (Choose three students look up verses to read aloud.) o Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. o Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it
Transcript of Christmas Lesson Part 1: Simeon - Cornerstone Christian Fellowship · 2019. 2. 17. · Christmas...
ChristmasLessonPart1:SimeonThefocusofthislessonistointroduceSimeonandemphasizethefactthathelivedhislifeexpectingGod’spromisestobefulfilled.Startadialogueaboutthemeaningoftheword“expecting”:• Whatdoestheword“expect”mean?(Allowstudentstodefinethewordbeforereadingthe
definition)o Definition:Tolookforwardto;regardaslikelytohappen;anticipatetheoccurrenceorthe
comingof--Tothinkthatsomethingwillprobablyorcertainlyhappen,tothinkthatsomeoneorsomethingwillarriveorthatsomethingwillhappen
o Whenyouexpectsomething,youhaveanideathatsomethingwillbehappeningatafuturetime.Youhavetheideainyourheadofwhatisgoingtohappenandyoulooktothefutureknowingthatitwillhappen.
• Canyouthinkofexamplesofthingsyoumightexpect?(Allowstudentstimetocomeupwith
someideasoftheirown,youcanusetheseexamplestohelpguidethemintherightdirection)o Whenyouseeapregnantmother,youexpectababyiscomingo Whenyouseedarkclouds,youexpectrainiscomingo DuringtheseasonofChristmas,youexpecttodoChristmastraditionswithyourfamilyo Whenyougrowup,youmightexpecttogetmarriedo Whenthecoldwinterisover,youexpectspringtobringwarmerdaysandnewgrowthfor
plants• Let’sthinkabouttheJewswholivedduringthetimethattheOldTestamentwaswritten.
CanyouthinkofapromiseGodgavetoDavidthatwouldmakethemexpectsomethingveryspecific?
o PromiseGodmadetoDavid:2Samuel7:12"Whenyourdaysarefulfilledandyourestwithyourfathers,Iwillsetupyourseedafteryou,whowillcomefromyourbody,andIwillestablishhiskingdom.13"HeshallbuildahouseforMyname,andIwillestablishthethroneofhiskingdomforever.14"IwillbehisFather,andheshallbeMyson.
o GodmadeapromisethatadescendantofDavid’swouldcomeandsetupakingdom–thatthisdescendantwouldbetheSonofGodandkingofthekingdom!
• WeknowthatGodspokeatvarioustimesandinvariousways.OnewayHespokeinthe
OldTestamentwasthroughtheprophets.TheJewswouldhaveheardthepropheciesthatIsaiahandMicahspokeofconcerningthiscomingdescendant.(Choosethreestudentslookupversestoreadaloud.)
o Isaiah7:14"ThereforetheLordHimselfwillgiveyouasign:Behold,thevirginshallconceiveandbearaSon,andshallcallHisnameImmanuel.
o Isaiah9:6ForuntousaChildisborn,UntousaSonisgiven;AndthegovernmentwillbeuponHisshoulder.AndHisnamewillbecalledWonderful,Counselor,MightyGod,EverlastingFather,PrinceofPeace.7OftheincreaseofHisgovernmentandpeaceTherewillbenoend,UponthethroneofDavidandoverHiskingdom,Toorderitandestablishit
withjudgmentandjusticeFromthattimeforward,evenforever.ThezealoftheLORDofhostswillperformthis.
o Micah5:2"Butyou,BethlehemEphrathah,ThoughyouarelittleamongthethousandsofJudah,YetoutofyoushallcomeforthtoMeTheOnetobeRulerinIsrael,Whosegoingsfortharefromofold,Fromeverlasting."
Weknowthatoverandoveragain,theJewishnationfellintodisobedienceandunbelief.MostoftheJewsduringthistimewerechoosingnottobelieveinGod’spromises.AfterMalachigavethelastprophecyintheOldTestament,therewere400yearsofsilencefromGod.DuringthistimetheJewishnationfollowedaftertheirowndesiresinsteadofremainingfaithfultoGod.• But,throughouttheOldTestamentanduptoChrist’sbirth,therewasalwaysasmall
groupofJewsthatwerefaithfulandbelievedandwereexpectingGod’spromisestobefulfilled.RightbeforeJesus’birthangelsappearedtoafewoftheseobedientJewstopreparethemforthebirthofChrist.Canyouthinkofanyoftheseparticularpeople?
o Zacharias,Mary,Joseph–theyknewandbelievedinthepromisesmadetoDavidandthepropheciesspokenbyIsaiahandMicah!TheywereexpectingGodtosendhisSon.
• WhodidtheangelsappeartorightafterJesus’birth?
o Theshepherds–theytoowerefamiliarwiththepromisemadetoDavidandallthepropheciesintheOldTestament.TheywereexpectingGodtosendhisSon.
So,Zacharias(andhiswifeElizabeth),Mary,JosephandtheshepherdswereallpartoftheJewishpeoplethatbelievedinGod’spromises.Whiletherestofthenationcontinuedindisobedience,theyremainedfaithfulandlookedfor,orexpectedGod’spromisestobefulfilled.• TherearealsotwootherpeoplethatscripturesspeakofwhowerealsoexpectingGod’s
promises.WecanreadabouttheminLukechapter2,rightafterChrist’sbirth.Let’sopenourBiblesandreadLuke2:25-26tofindoutmoreaboutthisfirstperson.
o Luke2:25Andbehold,therewasamaninJerusalemwhosenamewasSimeon,andthismanwasjustanddevout,waitingfortheConsolationofIsrael,andtheHolySpiritwasuponhim.26AndithadbeenrevealedtohimbytheHolySpiritthathewouldnotseedeathbeforehehadseentheLord'sChrist.27SohecamebytheSpiritintothetemple.AndwhentheparentsbroughtintheChildJesus,todoforHimaccordingtothecustomofthelaw,28hetookHimupinhisarmsandblessedGodandsaid:29"Lord,nowYouarelettingYourservantdepartinpeace,AccordingtoYourword;30FormyeyeshaveseenYoursalvation31WhichYouhavepreparedbeforethefaceofallpeoples,32AlighttobringrevelationtotheGentiles,AndthegloryofYourpeopleIsrael."
**Passoutstudentworksheets**–helpstudentsfillintheblanksoftheworksheetasyougoovertheinformation.
• Afterreadingthisscripturelet’sfillinsomeoftheinformationweknowaboutSimeon.Firstofall,it’salwayshelpfultoknowthemeaningofnamesintheBible.Simeon’snamemeans“Godhasheard”.(Writeonworksheet)
o TheverymeaningofhisnamepicturesforusthegroupoffaithfulJewsthatwerewaitingandwatchingandbelievingthatGodwouldsendhisSontofulfillhispromise!Simeonwasapartofthisgroupandhisnametellsusthat“Godhasheard”theirprayersandtheirdesiretoseeGod’sSonsenttoearthtofulfillHispromises.
• WhattwowordsdescribeSimeoninverse25?
o “Justanddevout”(writeonworksheet)o ThescripturedeclaresSimeonas“just”,meaningrighteous,orrightbeforeGod.Theonly
waytoberightbeforeGodistoremainfaithfultoGod’sword.SoweknowthatSimeonwaswalking“inallthecommandmentsandordinancesoftheLord”(Luke1:6)
o “Devout”meanshewasconcernedforthethingsofGod.HewasseriousandcarefulastohowhetreatedGodandrespondedtoGod’sword.
• Whatdoesverse25sayhewaswaitingfor?
o “waitingfortheConsolationofIsrael”(writeonworksheet)–thewordconsolationistranslated“comfort”.Jesus’birthwouldgivecomforttoIsrael.RememberSimeonlivedinatimewhentheJewishnationwasdeepinsinandunbelief.Asaresultofthistheywereoppressedbytheirenemiesanditwasasadanddespairingtimeforthem.ItwouldbringcomforttothenationknowingthatGodalwayskeepsHispromises.SimeonhadhopeforthecomingoftheMessiah,theKingthatwouldbringthepromisedkingdom–hewaswatchingandwaitingdayafterdayforthis!HewaswaitingforthecomforttobebroughttoIsrael.
• Whatdoestheendofverse25say?
o “theHolySpiritwasuponHim”(writeonworksheet)–TheHolySpiritwasuponhimguidinghimandrevealingthingstohimthatveryday.
• WhatdidtheHolySpiritrevealtohiminverse26?
o “hewouldnotseedeathbeforehehadseentheLord’sChrist”(writeonworksheet)o TheHolySpiritrevealedtohimthathewouldseetheChrist,thepromisedKing,theonewho
wouldfulfilledGod’spromises,beforehedied.o WecanconcludethatSimeonwasmostlikelyaveryoldmanandhasbeenwaitingaLONG
timetoseeJesus.
• WheredidtheHolySpiritleadhiminverse27?o tothetemple
• Whodidhemeetatthetemple?
o MaryandJosephandJESUS!Itwasthecustomofthelawthat40daysafterababywasborntheparentsweretobringthebabytothetempleandofferasacrifice.SoonthedaythatMaryandJosephbroughtbabyJesustothetemple,GodledSimeontothetempletomeetthem.
o Thetemplewasabusyplaceandtherewereprobablycrowdsofpeopleeverywhere,buttheHolySpiritledSimeonrighttoMaryandJoseph!
CanyoujustimagineMaryandJosephtalkingwithSimeon,tellinghimofthedetailsofthemiraculousbirthofJesus?WhatanexcitingdayforSimeon!Afterprayingdiligentlyyearafteryear,SimeongottophysicallyseeGod’spromisecometofulfillment.HegottoseewithhisowneyestheKingthatGodpromisedtoDavid.HegottomeetthebabywhowasGod’sownSon,theOnewhowouldbringcomforttoIsrael.JustastheHolySpiritrevealedtohim,hewouldgettoseetheLord’sChristbeforehedied.Hehadbeenwaitingandexpectingforthisverymomentsuchalongtime!• Afterrealizingwhohehadmet,whatdidSimeondo?(studentsshouldreadfromtheirbible)
o SimeontookbabyJesusinhisarmsandblessedtheLordandsaid:Luke2:29"Lord,nowYouarelettingYourservantdepartinpeace,AccordingtoYourword;30FormyeyeshaveseenYoursalvation31WhichYouhavepreparedbeforethefaceofallpeoples,32AlighttobringrevelationtotheGentiles,AndthegloryofYourpeopleIsrael."
o SimeonbeginspraisingGod!Godhadkepthispromise(whichwereadaboutinverse26)thatSimeonwouldgettoseeChristbeforehedied.
o Inverse29,SimeonissayinghecannowdieinpeacebecausehehasseenJesus.o Inverse30-32,SimeonisacknowledgingthatGod’spromisesarebeingfulfilledthrough
Jesus,thatthisisthepromiseofsalvationsenttoIsraelandwellastheGentiles.(Bonus:whoaretheGentiles?US!)
**HavestudentsfillinSimeon’s“talkbubble”withverses29and30.Theycaneithercopytheverses
fromtheirbiblesoryoucanwritetheversesontheboardforthemtocopy.**
• HowdidMaryandJosephreacttowhatSimeonhadsaid?Let’sreadverse33tofindout:o Luke2:33AndJosephandHismothermarveledatthosethingswhichwerespokenofHim.o JosephandMarywerestandinginthetemplewithaverynormallookingbaby.Therewas
nohaloaroundJesus’headoragreatlightsurroundinghim.ButforSimeon,heknewhowspecialthisbabywas–heknew,aswellasMaryandJoseph,thatthiswasthebabywhowasthedescendantofDavid,whowouldreignonDavid’sthroneforeverandever.SimeonknewthatthiswasIsrael’sSavior.AsMaryandJosephheardhimdeclarethesethingsaboutJesus,thescripturesaidtheymarveled-filledwithwonderandastonishment-aboutthethingshesaid.
Nextweekwewillreadaboutoneotherpersonwho,justlikeSimeon,wasexpectingJesusandwasatthetemplethatverysameday.
**StudentscancolorthepictureofSimeontocompletetheirworksheet.**
ChristmasLessonPart2:AnnaThefocusofthislessontointroduceAnnaandemphasizethefactthatshelivedherlifeexpectingGod’spromisestobefulfilled.Review:Askstudentsthesequestionstoreviewlastweeksteaching.Whodidwelearnaboutlastweek?SimeonWhatdoeshisnamemean?GodhasheardWelearnedthatSimeonwasexpectingsomething.Whatwashewatching,waitingandprayingfor?GodtosendthepromisedOne,God’sSonSimeonwasapartofthesmallgroupofJewsthatwerefaithfultoGodandbelievedinhispromises.Whatotherpeopledidwelearnaboutthatwerealsointhisgroup?Zacharias,Elizabeth,Mary,Joseph,theshepherdsWhatdidtheHolySpiritrevealtohim?“hewouldnotseedeathbeforehehadseentheLord’sChrist”WheredidtheHolySpiritleadhim?TothetempleWhodidhemeetatthetemple?Mary,JosephandbabyJesus• Todaywearegoingtolearnaboutoneotherpersonwho,justlikeSimeon,wasexpecting
Jesusandwasatthetemplethatverysameday.OpenyourbiblestoLuke2:36-38toreadaboutthisperson.
o Luke2:36Nowtherewasone,Anna,aprophetess,thedaughterofPhanuel,ofthetribeofAsher.Shewasofagreatage,andhadlivedwithahusbandsevenyearsfromhervirginity;37andthiswomanwasawidowofabouteighty-fouryears,whodidnotdepartfromthetemple,butservedGodwithfastingsandprayersnightandday.38AndcominginthatinstantshegavethankstotheLord,andspokeofHimtoallthosewholookedforredemptioninJerusalem.
**Passoutstudentworksheets**–helpstudentsfillintheblanksoftheworksheetasyougo overtheinformation.
• WhatisthenameofthisotherpersonthatwasexpectingJesustobesent?
o Anna
• WelearnedlastweekthatitishelpfultoknowthemeaningofnamesintheBible.ThenameAnnameans“favororgrace”.(Writeonworksheet)
o GodhadfavorandgraceuponAnna’slifebecauseofherfaithfulnessandbeliefinGod’spromises.Sheservedinthetempleandwasexpecting–waitingandwatchingforGod’spromisestobefulfilled!
o (Interestingtonote:ThenameAnnaistheGreektranslationoftheHebrewname“Hannah”.HannahintheOldTestamentisalsocharacterizedbyprayer,fastingandbeingdedicatedtoservingGodinthetemple–justlikeAnna!)
• Howdoesthefirstpartofverse36describeAnna?
o Shewas“aprophetess”(Writeonworksheet)o ThismeansshespokeGod’struths,shespokeandtaughtaboutGod’sWordtoothers.She
believedwhatGodhadsaidthroughtheprophetsintheOldTestamentandsharedthiswiththosearoundher.
• Continuereadingverse36.Whatdoesthescripturessayaboutherageandwasshe
married?o Shewasawidowadvancedinyears(writeonworksheet)o Weknowshewasveryold.Verse37saysshewasmarriedfor7yearsandthenawidowfor
84years.84+7=91Thescripturesdon’ttellushowoldshewaswhenshegotmarried,butwecanconcludeshewasover91yearsold!
• Continuereadingverse37.WheredoesthescripturesayAnnaspenthertime?
o She“didnotdepartfromthetemple”(writeonworksheet)o Shehaddedicatedherlifetoservingatthetemple.o (Review:Whoelsewasatthetemplethatday?Simeon,Mary,JosephandJesus)
• HowdidAnnaserveGodatthetemple?
o She“servedGodwithfastingsandprayers”(writeonworksheet)o FastingmeansnoteatinginordertofocusonGod.FromthisverseweknowthatAnna’s
prayersweresuchanimportantpartofherlifethatshedeniedherselfevenfoodattimessoshecouldfocushermindandspendtimeinprayer.
o Whatdoyouthinkshewasprayingabout?(Hint:ShewaspartofthegroupofJewsthatwerefaithfulandbelievedinGod’spromises.Sowhatdoyouthinkherprayerswereallfocusedon?)ThatGod’spromiseswouldbefulfilled–thatthepromisedOnewouldbesenttosetuphiskingdom!
• ThescripturecontinuesandsaysAnnaservedGodwith“fastingandprayersdayand
night”.o Thistellsusthatshefastedandprayedcontinually–thiswasherlife!Herliferevolved
aroundprayingtoGodandbelievinginHispromisestosendtheMessiah.Shebelievedthissomuchthatherentirelifewasdedicatedtofastingandprayersatthetemple.ShetookthepromisesoftheOldTestamentseriouslyandprayedforthemdayandnight…dayafterday,yearafteryear!
• Readthefirstpartofverse38.Whatdoes“cominginthatinstant”mean?Whatexactinstantwassheapartof?
o Wehavetolookatthepreviousversestoknowwhatthismeans.Thepreviousverses(thatwereadlastweek)toldusallaboutSimeonbeingatthetemplemeetingMary,JosephandJesus.
o SoAnnawasalsoatthetempletheverysameday.Remember–thetemplewasabusyplaceandtherewerehundredsofpeoplecomingandgoing.But,GodallowedAnnatobeinjusttherightplaceatjusttherighttimetohearSimeonspeakingaboutJesus!
• AfterseeingandhearingSimeonwithMary,JosephandJesus,whatdidAnnado?
o Firstly,“shegavethankstotheLord”–shewasinstantlyfilledwithpraiseandthankstoGod!
! Afterallheryearsoffastingandprayers–howdoyouthinkshefeltwhenmeetingthisbaby,theOnewhoGodhadpromised?Shewasprobablyoverwhelmedwiththanksandpraise!ShehadbeenwaitingandexpectingtheMessiah,theRedeemer,theOnewhowouldfulfillthepromisesmadetoAbrahamandDavid!
o ThenextpartoftheversegoesontosayafterAnnagavethanksshe“spokeofHimtoallthosewholookedfortheredemptioninJerusalem”.
! Godhadansweredherprayersandshewantedtotelleveryoneaboutit!ShewenttoallthoseJewswhowereseekingandbelievedinGod’spromises–allthosewhowereexpectingChristandshetoldthemhowGodhadstayedtruetohispromise.ShetoldthemhowGodhadansweredheryearsandyearsofprayers!Howexcitedshemusthavebeen!Thekindofexcitementthatshecouldnotkeeptoherself–shehadtosharethisnewswithothers!
Simeon = __________________________________________
What scripture tells us about Simeon: 1. 2.
___________________________________ 3.
___________________________________ 4.
___________________________________ ___________________________________
Anna = __________________________________________
What scripture tells us about Anna: 1. 2.
___________________________________ 3.
___________________________________ 4.
___________________________________ ___________________________________
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ChristmasLessonPart2:AnnaThefocusofthislessonistointroduceAnnaandemphasizethefactthatshelivedherlifeexpectingGod’spromisestobefulfilled.Review:Askstudentsthesequestionstoreviewlastweeksteaching.Whodidwelearnaboutlastweek?SimeonWhatdoeshisnamemean?GodhasheardWelearnedthatSimeonwasexpectingsomething.Whatwashewatching,waitingandprayingfor?GodtosendthepromisedOne,God’sSonSimeonwasapartofthesmallgroupofJewsthatwerefaithfultoGodandbelievedinhispromises.Whichotherpeopledidwelearnaboutwhowerealsointhisgroup?Zacharias,Elizabeth,Mary,Joseph,theshepherdsWhatdidtheHolySpiritrevealtohim?“hewouldnotseedeathbeforehehadseentheLord’sChrist”WheredidtheHolySpiritleadhim?TothetempleWhodidhemeetatthetemple?Mary,JosephandbabyJesus• Todaywearegoingtolearnaboutoneotherpersonwho,justlikeSimeon,wasexpecting
Jesusandwasatthetemplethatverysameday.OpenyourbiblestoLuke2:36-38toreadaboutthisperson.
o Luke2:36Nowtherewasone,Anna,aprophetess,thedaughterofPhanuel,ofthetribeofAsher.Shewasofagreatage,andhadlivedwithahusbandsevenyearsfromhervirginity;37andthiswomanwasawidowofabouteighty-fouryears,whodidnotdepartfromthetemple,butservedGodwithfastingsandprayersnightandday.38AndcominginthatinstantshegavethankstotheLord,andspokeofHimtoallthosewholookedforredemptioninJerusalem.
**Passoutstudentworksheets**–helpstudentsfillintheblanksoftheworksheet
asyougoovertheinformation.
• WhatisthenameofthisotherpersonthatwasexpectingJesustobesent?o Anna
• WelearnedlastweekthatitishelpfultoknowthemeaningofnamesintheBible.The
nameAnnameans“favororgrace”.(Writeonworksheet)
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o GodhadfavorandgraceuponAnna’slifebecauseofherfaithfulnessandbeliefinGod’spromises.Sheservedinthetempleandwasexpecting–waitingandwatchingforGod’spromisestobefulfilled!
o (Interestingtonote:ThenameAnnaistheGreektranslationoftheHebrewname“Hannah”.HannahintheOldTestamentisalsocharacterizedbyprayer,fastingandbeingdedicatedtoservingGodinthetemple–justlikeAnna!)
• Howdoesthefirstpartofverse36describeAnna?
o Shewas“aprophetess”(Writeonworksheet)o ThismeansshespokeGod’struths,shespokeandtaughtaboutGod’sWordtoothers.She
believedwhatGodhadsaidthroughtheprophetsintheOldTestamentandsharedthiswiththosearoundher.
• Continuereadingverse36.Whatdoesthescripturessayaboutherageandwasshe
married?o Shewasawidowadvancedinyears(writeonworksheet)o Weknowshewasveryold.Verse37saysshewasmarriedfor7yearsandthenherhusband
diedandshewasawidowfor84years.84+7=91Thescripturesdon’ttellushowoldshewaswhenshegotmarried,butwecanconcludeshewasover91yearsold!
• Continuereadingverse37.WheredoesthescripturesayAnnaspenthertime?
o She“didnotdepartfromthetemple”(writeonworksheet)o Shehaddedicatedherlifetoservingatthetemple.o (Review:Whoelsewasatthetemplethatday?Simeon,Mary,JosephandJesus)
• HowdidAnnaserveGodatthetemple?
o She“servedGodwithfastingsandprayers”(writeonworksheet)o FastingmeansnoteatinginordertofocusonGod.FromthisverseweknowthatAnna’s
prayersweresuchanimportantpartofherlifethatshedeniedherselfevenfoodattimessoshecouldfocushermindandspendtimeinprayer.
o Whatdoyouthinkshewasprayingabout?(Hint:ShewaspartofthegroupofJewsthatwerefaithfulandbelievedinGod’spromises.Sowhatdoyouthinkherprayerswereallfocusedon?)ThatGod’spromiseswouldbefulfilled–thatthepromisedOnewouldbesenttosetupHiskingdom!
• ThescripturecontinuesandsaysAnnaservedGodwith“fastingandprayersdayand
night”.o Thistellsusthatshefastedandprayedcontinually–thiswasherlife!Herliferevolved
aroundprayingtoGodandbelievinginHispromisestosendtheMessiah.Shebelievedthissomuchthatherentirelifewasdedicatedtofastingandprayersatthetemple.ShetookthepromisesoftheOldTestamentseriouslyandprayedforthemdayandnight…dayafterday,yearafteryear!
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• Readthefirstpartofverse38.Whatdoes“cominginthatinstant”mean?Whatexactinstantwassheapartof?
o Wehavetolookatthepreviousversestoknowwhatthismeans.Thepreviousverses(thatwereadlastweek)toldusallaboutSimeonbeingatthetemplemeetingMary,JosephandJesus.
o So,Annawasalsoatthetempletheverysameday.Remember–thetemplewasabusyplaceandtherewerehundredsofpeoplecomingandgoing.But,GodallowedAnnatobeinjusttherightplaceatjusttherighttimetohearSimeonspeakingaboutJesus!
• AfterseeingandhearingSimeonwithMary,JosephandJesus,whatdidAnnado?
o Firstly,“shegavethankstotheLord”–shewasinstantlyfilledwithpraiseandthankstoGod!
! Afterallheryearsoffastingandprayers–howdoyouthinkshefeltwhenmeetingthisbaby,theOnewhoGodhadpromised?Shewasprobablyoverwhelmedwiththanksandpraise!ShehadbeenwaitingandexpectingtheMessiah,theRedeemer,theOnewhowouldfulfillthepromisesmadetoAbrahamandDavid!
o ThenextpartoftheversegoesontosayafterAnnagavethanksshe“spokeofHimtoallthosewholookedforredemptioninJerusalem”.
! Godhadansweredherprayersandshewantedtotelleveryoneaboutit!ShewenttoallthoseJewswhowereseekingandbelievedinGod’spromises–allthosewhowereexpectingChristandshetoldthemhowGodhadstayedtruetoHispromise.ShetoldthemhowGodhadansweredheryearsandyearsofprayers!Howexcitedshemusthavebeen!Thekindofexcitementthatshecouldnotkeeptoherself–shehadtosharethisnewswithothers!
RememberthemeaningofAnna’sname??Hernamemeans“favororgrace”.AfterreadingthesescripturesaboutherwecanclearlyseethatGod’sfavorwasuponAnna;andinHisgraceHeallowedhertoseethe“RedemptionofIsrael”!Godhadheard(meaningofSimeon’sname)theprayersofthesefaithfulJewsandsentJesustoearthtofulfillHispromises.Jesusdidn’tcomeasabigstrongkingwithroyalrobesandacrownonhishead.GodsentthispromisedSonasalittlebaby,borntoafaithfullyobedientJewishcouple.Hewasbornnotinapalaceorevenanicehouse,butinastablemeantforanimals.WhiletherestofIsraelmighthavebeenlookingforagreatandmightyking,SimeonandAnnarealizedexactlywhothislittlebabywasatthetemplethatday.TheywerebothsooverjoyedthatGodhadsentHisSonjustasHehadpromised!TheylivedtheirlivesexpectingGodtostaytruetoHisWord;theyremainedfaithfulevenwhenittookyearsandyearsforthesepromisestocometrue.• AsfaithfullyobedientChristianstoday,whatshouldwebeexpecting?Isthereanything
thatGodhastoldusinHiswordthatwillhappenatafuturetime?(Hint:Jesuscamethefirsttimeasababy,whatdoestheBibletellusabouthissecondcoming?)
o SimeonandAnnawereexpectingJesustobesenttoearth.Theywaitedyearsandyearsforthistohappen.AswereadandstudyGod’swordweknowthatGodhaspromisedtosend
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Jesustoearthasecondtime.Notasababy,butasaKing,tosetupHiskingdomandruleandreignovertheearth.Thisiswhatweshouldbeexpecting!WeshouldbelikeSimeonandAnna,prayingforGod’spromisestocometrue!
JustlikeSimeonandAnnawehaveGod’sWord.Wehaveachoicetoread,studyandbelieveit,likeSimeonandAnna,ortoignoreit,liketheunfaithfulJews.ThisisachoicethatYOUhavetomake;noonecanmakeitforyou.WillyouchoosetoliveyourlifeclingingtoGod’sWordandexpectinghispromisestocometrue?WillyouchoosetobelikeSimeonandAnnaandremainfaithfulasyouwaitforJesus?
Christmas Ornament Craft Supplies:
• picture frame ornaments • photo of each child • printed messages (see below) • decorations (pom-poms, glitter, buttons, etc.) • glue • scissors • paint pen
Using a paint pen, write the year at the bottom of the front side of the frame. Cut photo to appropriate size and put into frame. Cut out the “message” and have each student write his or her name in the blank. Glue to the back of frame. Allow students to decorate the front of frame using glue and decorations.
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I, _______________________, am expecting Jesus. I
celebrate Jesus’ first coming at Christmas and I believe that He is coming again!
I, _______________________, am expecting Jesus. I
celebrate Jesus’ first coming at Christmas and I believe that He is coming again!
I, _______________________, am expecting Jesus. I
celebrate Jesus’ first coming at Christmas and I believe that He is coming again!
I, _______________________, am expecting Jesus. I
celebrate Jesus’ first coming at Christmas and I believe that He is coming again!
I, _______________________, am expecting Jesus. I
celebrate Jesus’ first coming at Christmas and I believe that He is coming again!
I, _______________________, am expecting Jesus. I
celebrate Jesus’ first coming at Christmas and I believe that He is coming again!
