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    Because of Bethlehem Bible Study Guide: Love is Born, Hope is Here
    Because of Bethlehem Bible Study Guide: Love is Born, Hope is Here
    Because of Bethlehem Bible Study Guide: Love is Born, Hope is Here
    Ebook85 pages55 minutes

    Because of Bethlehem Bible Study Guide: Love is Born, Hope is Here

    By Max Lucado

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    About this ebook

    In the Because of Bethlehem video Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately), bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado guides you through the Advent season to its source at an unassuming stable in Bethlehem...

    No one expected the Messiah to come the way he did. Yet the way he came was every bit as important as the coming itself. The manger is the message.

    Because of Bethlehem, God knows what it's like to be human. Because of Bethlehem, when we talk to him about tough times, he understands. He's been there. He's been here. Because of Bethlehem, we no longer have marks on our record...just grace.  

    In the midst of your hectic Christmas season, this 4-session Bible study with Max will:  

    • Revive your wonder that the One who made everything chose to make himself nothing for us.  
    • Rekindle your connection to the Christ of Christmas who offers lasting hope. 
    • Help you lay down your endless Christmas to-do list and receive what Jesus has already done. 
    • Heal your heartache by embracing the God who is always near you, always for you, and always in you. 

    For some, Christmas is a time of excitement, celebration, and family, while for others it is a time of loneliness, grief, and loss. No matter what this season holds for you, the promise of Christmas will bring you a lifetime of hope.

    The Because of Bethlehem Study Guide includes video notes and discussion questions, Bible exploration, an individual application activity, and an Advent practice to complete between meetings.  

    Sessions include:  

    1. God Has a Face  
    2. Worship Works Wonders 
    3. God Guides the Wise 
    4. Every Heart a Manger 

    Designed for use with Because of Bethlehem/He Chose the Nails Video Study (9780310687849), sold separately. The DVD is a two-disc set for Christmas and Easter.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherThomas Nelson
    Release dateSep 13, 2016
    ISBN9780310687078
    Because of Bethlehem Bible Study Guide: Love is Born, Hope is Here
    Author

    Max Lucado

    Since entering the ministry in 1978, Max Lucado has served churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He currently serves as the teaching minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He is the recipient of the 2021 ECPA Pinnacle Award for his outstanding contribution to the publishing industry and society at large. He is America's bestselling inspirational author with more than 150 million products in print. Visit his website at MaxLucado.com Facebook.com/MaxLucado Instagram.com/MaxLucado Twitter.com/MaxLucado Youtube.com/MaxLucadoOfficial The Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast

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      Book preview

      Because of Bethlehem Bible Study Guide - Max Lucado

      How to Use This Guide

      GROUP SIZE

      The Because of Bethlehem video study is designed to be experienced in a group setting such as a Bible study, Sunday school class, or any small group gathering. To ensure everyone has enough time to participate in discussions, it is recommended that large groups break up into smaller groups of four to six people each.

      MATERIALS NEEDED

      Each participant should have his or her own study guide, which includes notes for video segments, directions for activities and discussion questions, as well as practices to deepen learning between sessions.

      TIMING

      The time notations—for example (16 minutes)—indicate the actual time of video segments and the suggested times for each activity or discussion. Adhering to the suggested times will enable you to complete each session in about an hour. If you have a longer meeting, you may wish to allow more time for discussion and activities.

      PRACTICE

      Each session includes an application activity called a practice for group members to complete on their own between meetings. Although the practice is completed outside of group time, it’s a good idea to briefly review it before concluding the meeting to clarify any questions and to make sure everyone is on board.

      FACILITATION

      Each group should appoint a facilitator who is responsible for starting the video and for keeping track of time during discussions and activities. Facilitators may also read questions aloud and monitor discussions, prompting participants to respond and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate.

      images/img-9-1.jpg

      SESSION 1

      images/img-5-1.jpg

      God Has a Face

      The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.

      John 1:14 MSG

      The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.

      Dietrich Bonhoeffer,

      Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Christmas Sermons

      WELCOME

      Welcome to session 1 of Because of Bethlehem. If this is your first time together as a group, take a moment to introduce yourselves to one another before watching the video. Then let’s begin!

      VIDEO: GOD HAS A FACE (16 MINUTES)

      Play the video segment for session 1. As you watch, use the outline provided to follow along or to take additional notes on anything that stands out to you.

      Notes

      Christmas is a season of traditions. To most kids, that jolly old elf is the very face of Christmas—and that face is everywhere this time of year.

      [Your Response Here]

      Christmas can also be a season of sadness, of lost hope and disappointments.

      [Your Response Here]

      The story of Mary and Joseph:

      The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14 NKJV).

      [Your Response Here]

      Why did God go so far? A chief reason is this: he wants us to know that he gets us.

      [Your Response Here]

      Through a scandalous pregnancy, an imposed census, an untimely trip, and an overcrowded inn, God triumphed in Mary’s story.

      [Your Response Here]

      The story of George Harley:

      Everything changed when the villagers saw the tears of the missionary. Everything changes for us when we see the face of God.

      [Your Response Here]

      God became one of us, and because of this, he knows us.

      [Your Response Here]

      If the King was willing to enter the world of animals and shepherds and swaddling clothes, don’t you think he’s willing to enter yours?

      [Your Response Here]

      God took on your face in the hope that you would see his.

      [Your Response Here]

      GROUP DISCUSSION (39 MINUTES)

      Take a few minutes with your group members to discuss what you just watched.

      1. What part of the teaching had the most impact on you?

      [Your Response Here]

      Preparing for Christmas

      2. At the beginning of the video, Max acknowledged some of the Christmas traditions he looks forward to each year, such as sleigh bells, carolers, and the holiday classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas. These are just a few examples of traditions that typically lead up to Christmas Day and help us experience the Christmas spirit. Using the list of categories below as a prompt, briefly describe

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