Why Christmas? The Gift

Why Christmas? The Gift
  • Dan Haakenson
  • Dec 13, 2009
  • Series: Why Christmas?
Further Reflection, Discussion, and Application
  1. What is your most memorable childhood Christmas gift and why?
  2. Often we say that Christmas is about the ‘gift’ of Jesus coming to earth.  How does John 10:10 clarify and focus that?  How would you put this why of Christmas into your own words?
  3. Take time to read the whole of John 10.  What challenges you in this chapter?  What encourages you in this chapter?  (If you haven’t done so, I’d really encourage you to set aside 30 minutes or longer for a slow reading of John 10 – reflect on what is there, what it shows you about Jesus, Christmas and yourself; pray and talk to God about what you have read; maybe journal some thoughts on the chapter…)
  4. In this chapter Jesus talks about the ‘thief’ and ‘robber’ – who did He have in mind? Who / what would be the nearest equivalent today?
  5. How is the true / good Shepherd different?  How do we know that Jesus is the good Shepherd?
  6. Consider OT passages which lay some of this foundation of God as our Shepherd (not just Psalm 23!). One of the notable passages that was likely a backdrop to John 10 was Ezekiel 34. Read that chapter and note the connections with John 10; how do these features relate to us today?
  7. John 10 also has connection to Hanukkah (v22; this year Hanukkah falls on Dec 12).  How does this background relate to what Jesus was doing and saying all through this chapter?
  8. What do you think of as an ‘abundant life’?  Do you believe this is truly the why of Christmas?  Do you believe it is true for you (that Jesus came that you would have life and have it to the full)?
  9. What does this abundant life mean for you, personally?  How do you enter into the experience of this as Jesus’ sheep?
  10. Through this Christmas season, what can you do to be more attentive to the voice of the good Shepherd, and less attentive to the voices of those who detract and destroy?  (Make it specific to your situation.)  What kinds of things help you to enter the gift / life / joy that Jesus came to bring (and not another substitute)?

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