Brave New World: Part 2 – Do Not Be Afraid
 

This Sunday, Rob Lea brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
The talk will be available clicking here from 10am on Sunday 1^9th December
 
Once you have listened, here are some questions to consider:
 
Readings:

Matthew chapter 1 verses 18 to 25
 
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about; His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, and angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home to be your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’

All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.



 
Prayer & Reflection
 
Lord God, as we look forward to celebrating Jesus’ birthday on Earth with gratitude, we recognise the huge significance of this event in history when you, the infinite, unlimited creator of all things took on the limitations of humanity so that you could live and die for the salvation of all of us who believe in you.

Please forgive us for becoming so familiar with what you did that the truly awesome nature of this miraculous occurrence is depleted and forgotten.

Lord God, we ask that you help us to tell people about the good news of Jesus and his birth, life, death, and resurrection, regardless of the consequences or our reputation, and please help us do it in the right way, with love and compassion.

Amen.
 



Questions to Consider
1) Does the story of Jesus’ birth inspire you, or do you find it tedious and uninspiring?
2) Is your reputation important to you? Does it really matter what people think about you?
3) Can you think of a time when you felt pressure to conform to ‘social norms’? How did you respond? Was it difficult?
4) Is it ever OK to tell a ‘white lie’ or less than the whole truth? If yes, what circumstances would justify this? If no, why not?
5) Why is acting with love and compassion so important?
6) Can you think of any circumstances where applying God’s commands to your life would make you uncomfortable?
7) In your own words, why is the birth of Jesus ‘Good News’?
8) Do you find it easy or difficult to tell people about Jesus? If difficult, what are the reasons for that?