Good News of Great Joy

4 January 2017

Opening Prayer/Worship

Hymn: Shepherds in the Field Abiding

Theme: Lord of all

Topic: Good News of Great Joy

Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

Introduction

The Gospel simply means good news, and is generally used in reference to the gift of Jesus Christ to the world by God the Father.  News of the birth of Christ brought great joy to all who heard about it both at the time of His birth up till date.  Christmas comes with so much joy to the lives of billions of people around the world.  Beyond the joys of giving and receiving gifts from family, friends and colleagues as well merriment that goes with the season, Christmas is a joyful reminder that we are saved.  At the core of the Christmas message is fulfillment of the promise of salvation, freedom, hope, restoration and indescribable love from our Heavenly Father.  The real joy of Christmas is the fulfillment of the promise of salvation to all mankind through Jesus Christ.  This great joy should not just be experienced during Christmas but everyday of our lives.  Happy New year!

Questions/Discussion

1) Why is the birth of Christ an event of great joy? 

Matthew 1:18-23

Luke 2:21-32

John 1:9-14

2) What are the lessons for us in Luke 2:8-20 regarding the good news of great joy?  

Luke 2:8-20

3) Discuss some of the challenges to experiencing great joy in the Gospel of Christ.  How do we overcome them? 

Matthew 2:1-12

Matthew 2:13-18

John 10:11-21

Intercession/Worship

Conclusion

The real joy of Christmas is the fulfillment of the promise of salvation to all mankind through Jesus Christ; this great joy should be experienced everyday of our lives.

Closing Prayer (Collect for the Naming of Jesus)

Eternal Father, we give thanks for your incarnate Son, whose name is our salvation. Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Saviour of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.  Amen.