Meant for Me, Part 2: The Shepherds – Am I Worthy?

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

My perception of the shepherds
was that they were .

Luke 2:8 KING JAMES VERSION
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

We’re all shepherds, trying to figure out
if the good news is really for people like us.

Do I believe I’m ?

Luke 2:9-20 NIV 1984
⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
        ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
        ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
                    and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
        ¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
       ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

When I discover that Christmas was meant for me, there is:

towards God (verse 15 – “Let’s go to Bethlehem”)

Clear (verse 15 – “and see this thing”)

An open (verse 15 – “that the Lord told us about”)

Passionate (verse 17 – they spread the word)

Heartfelt (verse 20 – glorifying and praising God)

Confident (verse 20 – which were just as they had been told)

This Week’s Prayer of Examen

Ask yourself: When was I proud of myself today?
Where in my life am I struggling with self-doubt, shame, or self-rejection?

Ask God: Father, who do you say that I am?

Small Group Questions

1. Have you ever seen or participated in a children’s Christmas program? What was your experience?
2. Who is your favorite character in the Christmas story? Why?
3. Read Luke 2. Why do you believe God called shepherds to be the recipients and stewards of the message of Christmas?
4. When you examine the response of the shepherds, which area is God calling you into today?
5. Take a moment and ask the questions in this week’s Prayer of Examen. What are your honest thoughts and responses to these questions?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?