74 Jesus forgives a woman who was caught in adultery.75 Jesus teaches in the Temple.76 Jesus sends another seventy-two disciples into the fields of ministry.77 A good Samaritan helping a Jew shows how to love others.78 Jesus heals a man who was born blind.79 The good shepherd cares for his sheep.80 Martha becomes frustrated with her sister’s behavior.
107 Two blind men want to see.108 Mary anoints Jesus with expensive perfume.109 People cheer as Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey.110 Some Greek men want to see Jesus.
7 Shepherds hear news about a baby in a manger.
Genesis 17:12; Exodus 13:2, 12; Leviticus 12:6–8; Isaiah 8:14; Luke 2:1–38
Why would Caesar order a census of Roman subjects (Luke 2:1–2 )?
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Why might it have been important to mention Governor Quirinius (Luke 2:1–2)?
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What were the registration requirements (Luke 2:3)?
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Why do you think Joseph took Mary with him when she was so close to giving birth (Luke 2:4–5)?
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Travelers often stayed in tents when visiting Jerusalem. Why might Joseph not have taken a tent (Luke 2:4–5)?
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How do you think Joseph arranged lodging in a stable (Luke 2:6–7)?
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Why would an angel have been sent to shepherds outside Bethlehem and not to priests in the Temple (Luke 2:8–9)?
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How would you describe the angel’s appearance (Luke 2:8–9)?
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What do you think the shepherds did when they first saw the angel (Luke 2:8–9)?
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Why would the shepherds think the angel’s announcement was a significant event (Luke 2:10–12)?
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How large might the host of angels have been, and where did they appear (Luke 2:13–14)?
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Would the shepherds have left for Bethlehem immediately, or did they wait until morning (Luke 2:15)? Why?
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After entering Bethlehem, what steps might the shepherds have taken before finally finding where the baby was (Luke 2:16)?
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Who besides Mary and Joseph might have heard the shepherds’ story (Luke 2:17–18)?
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Why would the shepherds have been amazed that they found everything exactly as the angel had said (Luke 2;20)?
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What might Mary have thought about the shepherds’ story (Luke 2:19)?
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Who would have attended the circumcision ceremony in Bethlehem when Jesus was born (Luke 2:21)?
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At the consecration ceremony at the Temple in Jerusalem, Joseph bought two turtle doves for the sacrifice, not a lamb (Luke 2:24). Where might he have bought them?
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How do you think the Holy Spirit led Simeon to be at the Temple at the same time Joseph and Mary were there (Luke 2:25–27)?
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In what way might the Holy Spirit have revealed to Simeon that before he died he would see the Messiah (Luke 2:26)?
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How would Simeon have recognized Mary and Joseph as the Messiah’s parents and not some other couple with a baby (Luke 2:27)?
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How would Simeon have greeted Joseph to explain his intrusion (Luke 2:27)?
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Why would Mary and Joseph have been willing to surrender Jesus into Simeon’s arms (Luke 2:28)?
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When and how might Simeon have received the words that he pronounced concerning the baby (Luke 2:28–35)?
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Why did Joseph and Mary marvel at Simeon’s words (Luke 2:33)?
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Why did Simeon say that Mary’s soul would be pierced like a sword (Luke 2:33–35)?
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For how many years might Anna have been coming to the Temple every day (Luke 2:36–37)?
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In all the days Anna spent at the Temple, what might she have been doing other than fasting and praying (Luke 2:37)?
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How would Anna have known to impose on Simeon, Joseph, and Mary and say what she said (Luke 2:38)?