God Planned, Part 2: Whispers From the Past

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

God does miracles that begin with a .

 

Pieces of the Christmas Puzzle from Ancient History

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” – Genesis 3:15

When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law. – Galatians 4:4-5

Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call his name Immanuel. – Isaiah 7:14

The Lord has said to me, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you.” – Psalm 2:7

And the angel answered and said to her… “that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” – Luke 1:35

“I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom…I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father and he shall be my Son.” – 2 Samuel 7:12–14

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to me the one to be ruler in Israel. – Micah 5:2

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered…Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem…with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son. – from Luke 2:1–7

“…out of Egypt I called my Son.” – Hosea 11:1b

[After Jesus was born in Bethlehem], an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
          When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called my Son.” – Matthew 2:13-15

Small Group Questions

1. What did you do to live out Thanksgiving this past week?
2. What is the most difficult puzzle you have ever done? What was the picture?
3. Read all of the scriptures again. What does God say to your heart about his attention to detail?
4. How can practically you trust God today with the pieces of your life?
5. There is always something more to our story. Is there something you can share with your small group—a piece of your life—that you have never shared before?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?