Review of The Main Topic:

We will be studying who the Christ Child is, why he was promised, why he came, what he accomplished, what he fulfilled. This will include a look at the messianic expectations of the Jews and some reasons why Jesus's ministry was controversial.

We will begin with a quick look at the Christmas story from the Bible, and then delve into the old testament messianic promises and prophesies. Throughout the study we will be going between the old and the new testament. At the end of the study we will return to the Christmas story for a more detailed look.

Reason for the update:

This is an updated syllabus for the Advent/Christmas Bible Study. As the study has progressed I have realized that there is not enough material tying forward into the New Testament to make the prophesies clear. So I have added material involving Jesus's earthly ministry, mostly from the gospels; we will use the Gospels as a launching point into the Old Testament, which should clarify the study content.

To this point (up to week 4) we have looked at John 1 (explaining that Jesus is God, the second person of the Trinity, and that he was with the Father and the Holy Spirit since the beginning of time and before); we have read the Christmas story through for the first time (we will return to it often); and we have looked at numerous Messianic prophesies from the Old Testament. The Messianic sections that we have looked at so far have discussed the Messiah (Christ) as a ruling King, a righteous Judge, a victorious conqueror, one who will destroy death, one on whom the Spirit of God will rest, one to whom the kings of the earth will bow down, one who will rally the nations under himself, and who will destroy oppressors and set captives free. We have noted that many of these prophesies have yet to occur and that the fulfillment of the messianic prophesies are divided between Jesus's first and his second coming.

WEEK 1

THE CREATION, FALL, AND REDEEMPTION
The creation:

John 1:1-12 In the beginning was the Word
Genesis 1 In the beginning God created Heaven and earth

The fall
genesis 3 sin enters the world
Redeemption:
John 1:25 the Lamb of God
Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12 The lamb in the old testament: passover
Christmas Carol: Silent Night V. 3

WEEK 2

FIRST LOOK AT THE CHRISTMAS STORY

Luke 1:26 - 38 Gabriel informs Mary
Matthew 1 Joseph notified by angel
Luke 2:1-38 Birth of Jesus the Messiah
Matthew 2 Visit of the Magi (Hoseah 11); flight to Egypt
Christmas Carol: Silent Night Verses 1 & 2

WEEK 3

MESSIANIC REFERENCES

Gen 12:3 All Nations blessed thru Abraham
gen 49:10 scepter will not depart from Judah
1 Kings 9:5 David's line will never fail
Messianic Psalm
Ps 2:1-12 His anointed one
Psalm 24 The King of Glory Comes
Psalm 72
Ps 110:1-7 enemies footstool; Melchizedek
Isaiah 11 shoot of Jesse; Spirit of the Lord rest on him; not hurt nor destroy
references to first and second coming together
Isaiah 16:4, 5 David's throne; second coming
Isaiah 25:6-9 Death swallowed up: at the crucifixion: On This Mountain
Christmas Carol: The King Of Glory Comes
Reference: Handel's Messiah: Lift Up Your Heads O Ye Gates

WEEK 4

MESSIANIC REFERENCES continued

Isaiah 49:5-7 formed in the womb to bring Jacob back to him
Isaiah 60:1-4 Arise, shine; Nations will come to your light
Jeremiah 23:5-6 Righteous branch; Jehovah Tsidkenu
Jeremiah 33:15-17 Righteous branch again; David's line will not fail
Hag 2:7 Shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come

Christmas Carol: O Little Town Of Bethlehem

WEEK 5

KINGDOM OF GOD REFERENCES & MINISTRY REFERENCES

New Testament References:
Matthew 5:10, 19; 7:21 Brief Illustrations: Beatitudes & "Lord, Lord"
Luke 18:15 - 27 As a little child; rich young ruler
John 3:1 - 21 Nicodemus

Old Testament Prophesies:
Isaiah 2:2 - 4 "The law; the word": The Word?-- shall go forth from Jerusalem
Again, references to first and second coming (swords->plowshares)
Micah 4:1-4 Mountain of the Lord; nations & peoples stream to it
Daniel 2:44, 45 The rock-kingdom
Daniel 7:13, 14 Ancient of days

MINISTRY REFERENCES

Matthew 4:12 - 25 Galilee of the gentiles; call of disciples; preaching; healing.
Isaiah 9:1-7 Zebulun & Naphtali; a child will be born

Christmas Carol: O Holy Night (verse 3: opression shall cease)

WEEK 6

MINISTRY REFERENCES continued

New Testament references & Old Testament Prophesies:
(Deuteronomy 18:15 A prophet like Moses
John 1:20, 21 & 24, 25 The Christ, Elijah, or The Prophet?)

The land symbolizes our hearts:
Parable of the sower : Mark 4:13 - 20
Isaiah 35:1-10 Desert/wilderness = lost hearts of the people
blossoming of the wilderness and healing of blind, lame, deaf, mute
Gentleness with the weak
Isaiah 42:1-4 bruised reed

John 10:7 - 14 Jesus the good shepherd
Isaiah 40:1-11 (1-5, 10-11) atonement; every valley; he shall feed his flock

Luke 4:16 - 21 Reading in synagogue at Nazareth
Isaiah 61:1-3 The spirit of the Lord is upon me
Christmas Carol: Joy To the World

WEEK 7

SUFFERING SERVANT

Palm Sunday:
Zechariah 9:9 gentle and riding on a colt

Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12 Sacrificial Lamb (review John 1:29)

Good Friday:
Mark 15:15 - 38 flogging, mocking, scourging; Eloi, Eloi; vinegar; curtain torn
2 Corinthinans 5:21 God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us
Psalm 69:1-36 esp 19-21; gall, vinegar, scorn, disgrace
Psalm 22 crucifiction: my God, my God;mocked & insulted; poured out like water, bones out of joint;pierced hands & feet;garments divided & cast lots; v. 22 result of sacrifice

John 19:25 - 37 final moments and death
Zechariah 12:10-13:2 spirit of grace and supplication; look on him pierced; fountain
from John 19:33 ff
Psalm 34:20 bones not broken. see John 19:33
Isaiah 52:7 thru chapter 53 feet on mountain; laid bare his holy arm; suffering servant

Christmas Carol: What Child Is This

WEEK 8

DETAILS

Dan 9:24-27 seventy sevens
Micah 5:2-5 Bethlehem Ephrathah
Isaiah 7:14 Immanuel
Isaiah 28:16 a tried stone, a precious cornerstone
Psalm 118:19-29 stone the builders rejected
Malachi 3:1-4 Messenger to prepare; appear suddenly; purify the sons of Levi
Malachi 4 Elijah-> John the Baptist
Hoseah 11 Magi

JESUS'S RESURRECTION

Matthew 12:39-40; Jonah 1:17 three days and three nights;
(Matthew 16:21; Hoseah 6:2; Mark 9:31; Luke 9:18-27)
Psalm 16:7-11 resurrection

REDEEMPTION: A NEW HEART, A NEW SPIRIT

Ezekiel 1:19 undivided heart & a new spirit; replace heart of stone
Jeremiah 31:31-34 Law in their minds and hearts; all know me

BETROTHAL

Hoseah 2:16-23 Betrothal to the church; inclusion of the Gentiles
Isaiah 54:1-10 Your maker is your husband

THE FINAL KINGDOM: JESUS'S RETURN

Job 19:25 I know that my redeemer lives
Christmas Carol: We Three Kings

WEEK 9

CHRISTMAS STORY: The arrival of the Prince

Luke 1:1 - 25 Zechariah; birth of John the Baptist foretold
Luke 1:26 - 38 Gabriel informs Mary
Luke 1:39 - 56 Mary visits Elizabeth
Matthew 1 Joseph notified by angel
Luke 1:57- 1:80 Birth of John the baptist
Luke 2:1-38 Birth of Jesus the Messiah
Matthew 2 Visit of the Magi (Hoseah 11); flight to Egypt
Luke 2:39 - 52 Settles in Nazareth

Christmas Carol: Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Christmas Caroling date to be determined