What Child is This?: Son of Man

This Week’s : Video Announcements This Week's : Message

Family Meal Discussion

Greeting + Meal

Take the first 45 minutes to gather into the home, share some food, listen to each other.

Storytelling

Transition from the dining table to a more relaxed area, like the living room, if possible.

This weeks story to share:

Taken from The Message version Luke 9, Mark 6, Hebrews 4, John 7, Hebrews 2, and John 11

Jesus, though he was fully God, He was also fully a man. We can sometimes forget that he had the same experiences that we go through. Luke, a man that Jesus mentored, shared what Jesus said to someone who wanted to follow Jesus:

On the road someone asked if he could go along. “I’ll go with you, wherever,” he said. Jesus was curt: “Are you ready to rough it? We’re not staying in the best inns, you know.” Luke 9

Another man that was mentored by Jesus, Mark, shared how Jesus’ ministry was received in his hometown:

[Jesus] returned to his hometown. His disciples came along. On the Sabbath, he gave a lecture in the meeting place. He made a real hit, impressing everyone. “We had no idea he was this good!” they said. “How did he get so wise all of a sudden, get such ability?”

But in the next breath they were cutting him down: “He’s just a carpenter—Mary’s boy. We’ve known him since he was a kid. We know his brothers, James, Justus, Jude, and Simon, and his sisters. Who does he think he is?” They tripped over what little they knew about him and fell, sprawling. And they never got any further.

Jesus told them, “A prophet has little honor in his hometown, among his relatives, on the streets he played in as a child.” Jesus wasn’t able to do much of anything there—he laid hands on a few sick people and healed them, that’s all. Mark 6

In a sermon that was shared throughout the early Christian church we are reminded:

Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help. Hebrews 4

It’s obvious, of course, that he didn’t go to all this trouble for angels. It was for people like us, children of Abraham. That’s why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people’s sins, he would have already experienced it all himself—all the pain, all the testing—and would be able to help where help was needed. Hebrews 2

John, mentored by Jesus, mentions how even some of Jesus’ family didn’t believe in who Jesus was.

His brothers said, “Why don’t you leave here and go up to the Feast so your disciples can get a good look at the works you do? No one who intends to be publicly known does everything behind the scenes. If you’re serious about what you are doing, come out in the open and show the world.” His brothers were pushing him like this because they didn’t believe in him. John 7

When Jesus saw [Lazarus’ sister] sobbing and the Jews with her sobbing, a deep anger welled up within him. He said, “Where did you put him?” “Master, come and see,” they said. Now Jesus wept. John 11

3 Ways He Relates to Us As the Son of Man

1. Through his work experience.

2. ‎Through his relationship experience.

3. ‎Through his temptation experience.

Closing + Goodbyes

Ask if anyone has additional thoughts or questions about the story or points. Close with an appropriate prayer time based on the faith level of those there tonight.

DNA Group Discussion

DISCOVER (PRE-WORK) Before and while you read these passages ask the Spirit of God to illuminate your heart and mind and bring conviction and clarity of his truth for your life. Take some time during your own personal study to read through these four key questions:

1. Who is God (what does this passage tell me about God’s character)?

2. What Has God Done (how do I see God’s character in action here)?

3. Who Am I (How does God’s character and action shape how I see myself)?

4. What Do I Do (if I believe 1-3 how would I respond and relate to others)?

Scripture: Luke 9, Mark 6, Hebrews 4, John 7, Hebrews 2, and John 11

QUESTION: What did you DISCOVER during your study?

NURTURE Confess out loud to one another areas of personal struggle or unbelief that the Spirit revealed during your personal study.

In light of this week’s sermon, consider these questions together:

Through what experience can Jesus relate to our work?
Through what experience can Jesus relate to our relationships?
Through what experience can Jesus relate to our temptations?

QUESTION: How will you REPENT and BELIEVE the gospel?

ACT In light of your time together, what steps will you take to act on your new discoveries and affirmed beliefs?

Consider these questions:

1. What is a tangible way that you can bear witness to the gospel in your school,

workplace or neighborhood this week?

2. How can you demonstrate God’s involvement in your life? How can you be more

aware of it and draw attention to it?

3. What does it look like to bear witness in the midst of adversity? What adversity are

you facing currently and how can you bear witness to God’s control?

4. Is there someone in your life that you think struggles with the secular narrative they

hear around them? Who are they and how can you bear witness to the greater reality of the transcendent God this week?

QUESTION: What will you DO and who will you TELL about what God has done?

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What Child is This?Diversity ChurchDecember 9, 2017