Luke 2:1-15
Shepherds worked in the countryside near Bethlehem. Their primary responsibility was to guard the sheep, which were used for temple sacrifices among other things. Shepherds like them were considered ceremonially unclean because of the duties their occupation required. Also, their work schedule often prevented them from being cleansed at the temple. As a result, these men were considered very low in the social order. Yet, they would be the first to hear of the Savior’s birth—and be the first ones to share it.
Read Luke 2:1-15:
- Why would God allow His only Son to be born in a stable and sleep in a feeding trough?
- Why do you think the first announcement of Jesus’ birth was given to lowly shepherds?
- What might the shepherds have found most incredible about the angels’ message?
- Have you ever felt like the shepherds—marginalized, on the outside looking in? How do you typically respond when you feel like that?
- What does God’s intentional effort at inclusion of the shepherds show us about His character?
- How does your life demonstrate that this is good news for “all people”? What needs to change?
Other Scriptures to Engage with this week:
1 Chronicles 29:10-25, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Psalm 118:19-24, Habakkuk 3:17-18, Psalm 16:1-11, Isaiah 61:10-11.