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Nazarene Family Week

November 23-29, 2009

Nazarene Family Week is being observed November 23-29, 2009.

Use the devotions provided by
Bob Brown
to start a
tradition of
family worship together.

Day One

1. As background to your study, read Psalm 137:1-5 and Daniel 9:15-19. What national crisis do you discover within these two passages? What messenger does God send to Daniel? Is he a familiar figure in the Advent story? Why or why not?

2. According to Malachi 3:1 and 4:2-4, what did God promise to do one day for His people?

3. Carefully read Hebrews 11:13-16. What theme, taken from Israel’s story, does the writer of Hebrews emphasize?

Day Two

The annunciation to Mary is narrated in Luke 1:26-38.

1. What are we told about Mary?

2. Who appears to her? Why might this be significant? (See question one, day one).

3. What is the message that he brings?

4. What parts of the message might have been startling to her?

What does she question?

5. How does the messenger assuage her fears?

6. What is her eventual response?

Day Three

The visitation of Mary to Elizabeth is described in Luke 1:39-56.

1. Why does Mary travel the difficult journey to visit Elizabeth?

2. How does Elizabeth greet her? Why is this greeting significant?

3. Study the use of the word “blessed” by Elizabeth. What ideas does this word emphasize?

4. Why is the movement of Elizabeth’s baby important in the story?

5. When Mary sings her Magnificat, she reveals her spiritual priorities. What are they?

6. In what sense is Mary “at home” with Elizabeth?

Day Four

The annunciation to Joseph is told by Matthew in 1:18-25.

1. Before Matthew tells this part of his story, what does he do in 1:1-17? What features of this passage stand out to you? How do they prepare the reader for 1:18-25?

2. Do a brief character study of Joseph based on information found here.

3. How does the angel change Joseph’s perspective?

4. At the end of the passage, what does Joseph finally do? What does he give to Mary?

Day Five

The flight to Egypt and the return is recorded in Matthew 2:13-23.

1. What associations does Egypt have in the Bible?

2. Why does Joseph take Mary and Jesus to that country?

3. How is their “exodus” from Egypt significant?

4. Where does Joseph take his family eventually?

Meet the Parents:

Mary and Joseph

Where Is Home?

“ . . . And with Malachi’s words, the voice of the prophets fell silent. Not until John the Baptizer appeared on the banks of the Jordan River five hundred years later, would the people of Israel once more have a message from Yahweh (God): a message that would call them back to God, and prepare the road for the journey home . . .

. . . The whole human race became wanderers and vagabonds, exiled from the presence of God, but in desperate need of homecoming . . . Bursting onto the pages of the gospel story, especially Matthew and Luke, is God’s great surprise. He is coming home to His people, and to the whole world. But he seeks a home from them as well, a place where He can take up residence and live among them . . .

. . . The Advent narrative, the Christmas story, essentially means God has taken up residence here, and therefore, we have a home once more, close to God.”

Bob Brown, Background Notes for Meet the Parents devotionals.

Let’s Meet the Parents:

Mary

Luke 1:26-38

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her (v. 38).
Luke 1:46-47

“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior . . . ’” (v. 46).

Joseph

Matthew 1:18-20

Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (vv. 19-20).

Matthew 1:24-25

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Mary offered herself as a human home for God’s Son. In the process, she found herself at home with and in God.
Joseph offered himself as the father of a home for God’s Son. In the process, he found himself at home with and in God.

Read Hosea 11:1-11

Group Discussion Questions:

1. Where is home for you? Why do you call it home? How does home feel?

2. Read Psalm 137:1-4. Discuss the sadness of the Psalmist and the people of Israel. Have you had any similar experiences?

3. What separates, then and now, God from His people and people from God? Who or what is our only hope? Read Daniel 9:15-19.

4. In light of this, how significant are the angel’s words to Joseph in Matthew 1:21?

5. Read and discuss John 1:10-14. What does this say about coming home?

Nazarene Family Week Resources:

connect!
Devotions for the Family

Each edition of connect! focuses on several themes designed to help the family grow closer to God while focusing on important issues in the Christian life.

SUSIE Magazine

SUSIE Magazine is a global sisterhood for teen girls. Its purpose is to lead girls into a relationship with Christ, guide them in developing healthy relationships, showcase positive entertainment choices, provide healthy role models, and teach positive self-image.

Raising Kids to Extraordinary Faith

is a valuable book that gives parents and teachers a practical guide for discipling children.

Sheep Snacks are a collection of God stories, ponderings, and parables cooked up to feed your flock. They are a great tool for sparking conversations about God in the home. Sheep Snacks are best consumed with family, friends, and blind aquatic mammals. Sign up your church today! www.sheepsnacks.com

Hand in Hand: Embracing Families with Young Children

WordAction’s Cradle Roll materials will help you and your church connect with parents of 0-3 year olds from within the church as well as visitors. Develop Christ-centered families and walk hand-in-hand with them while they lead their children into lives of faith.

For these resources and more, log onto AMC.Nazarene.org