Day 1

Each day we’ll be looking deep into the life of the God/Man, Jesus. We will be walking through the 33 years of the earthly life of our Lord. Start your time today by asking God to open your understanding like He did for his first disciples: “ When he opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures.” Luke 24:45

Read the following passages and jot down your questions and observations:
Luke 2:1-20; Matthew 1:1-25; John 1:1-18

As God took on the form of a man in Jesus, what are some things he was experiencing for the first time?


When Jesus became a man and walked on the earth, He temporarily and voluntarily chose not to exercise the use of His ability to be everywhere at once. What are some other things that Jesus gave up to become a human?



God became man! What a wonderful and strange thing that is! Almighty God, who created the world, took on human form and became part of the world! The Bible says that he “made himself nothing” (Phil. 2:7) and put on a body to live with us here! He was still all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present. Yet, He put aside his deity and intentionally limited himself and his powers to become a real human. Hebrews 2:17 says He was made like us in every way!

Jesus left heaven’s glory for earth’s insignificance. What a sacrifice on Gods part to become like one of us so that he might not only be our God but also our high priest (Heb. 2:17) Isn't that a strange way to save the world?

Why did God choose to become human?

Hebrews 2:14-15  gives us 4 reasons Jesus came. Can see the 4 reasons? Mark them below!

14 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had[a] the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.


1.
2.
3.
4.
 

Jesus gave up so much to accomplish our salvation but I think its also important to look at the gifts that the Father gave Jesus, while in his humanity.

The gift of a name: Jesus (Mat 1:21), and it will be “the name above every name, that at the name of Jesus ever knee should bow” (Phil.2:9-10)

What other gifts can you think of?




What about…
  • A place to be born: A Manger out side an inn. What kind of gift is that? Can you imagine the laughter that would happen when Jesus answered the question, “where were you born?”. How is that a gift! How humiliating? What was God thinking? Why subject His Son to such humiliation? The answer may be in Hebrews 5:8?
  • A birth announcement from angels (Luke 2:9-14)- I wonder if they practiced beforehand?
  • A star (Matthew 2:2-10) that stood out above the rest!
  • A Family (Mark 6:3). What would it be like to have Jesus as a brother?
  • Maybe the biggest gift of all, obedient parents! They did just as God directed them to do! (Luke 1:38, Matt. 1:20-21)The best gift you can give to the people in your life- your kids, your parents, your friends…- is to be obedient!


What are some of the gifts that the father has given you? Lets share in the comment section. 


Spend some time thanking Him for these gifts and specifically for becoming flesh and blood for you. Then go out today and share what you discovered with at least two other people!

35 Comments


Courtney Vaughn - January 2nd, 2023 at 6:50am

I am so grateful for my family and the comfort and safety of our home. It is truly a gift to live in a home with people you love.

Emily McCauley - January 2nd, 2023 at 11:03am

Safe is the best feeling! To go to sleep at night and not have to worry about danger:)

Jon - January 2nd, 2023 at 7:02am

Of corse my family stands out as a gift from God.



Also- today I’m thankful for the ability to read. Sometime I take small gifts like that for granted.

Larry hiler - January 2nd, 2023 at 7:37am

What a most excellent way to start this new year, stdying the life and works of our Master, great idea, and greater gift.

Sandy Hedges-Livingood - January 2nd, 2023 at 7:58am

Especially THANKFUL today for my healthy and beautiful family, my stressful but rewarding job and true & lasting friendships. So appreciate for this study and walk with Jesus. Thank you, Jon.

Jenna Reed - January 2nd, 2023 at 8:15am

My family is a wonderful gift from God! I'm also so thankful the lord has allowed me a career where I'm able to work from home, ensuring time to teach my children about God and lead them by example. Everytime I'm weak and think I can not balance my work and homeschool he proves me wrong. If I just obey, trust, and follow it all works out!

Emily McCauley - January 2nd, 2023 at 11:02am

This is a wonderful gift. We homeschool too and it can be a challenge but so rewarding knowing our children are getting a great foundation. The Lord always provides when our motivates are pure.

Amy Jett - January 2nd, 2023 at 8:20am

I am so grateful to get to be the nurturer in my family. while it is sometimes stressful as a working mother, what an absolute blessing to be the safe place for my kids, to get to feed and nourish my family not only with food but with the love Jesus has shown to me, and to get to share a home with them.

Emily McCauley - January 2nd, 2023 at 10:57am

Love this!!! Nothing like being a mom:)

Nellie Parker - January 2nd, 2023 at 8:28am

I’m thankful for God being the God he chose to be ,my family , my eye site,my church,my life’s experience my freedom and this Bible study thanks Jon

Jon Welch - January 2nd, 2023 at 11:11am

Thanks Nellie! We're all very blessed, aren't we?

Jenni Pennington - January 2nd, 2023 at 8:32am

Of course I immediately think of my family, but I also think of the incredible gift of forgiveness and second chances. Being able to forgive and be forgiven day after day when I fail God and the people that I love the most is an amazing gift.

Emily McCauley - January 2nd, 2023 at 10:58am

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

Barbara - January 2nd, 2023 at 8:47am

Iam thankful for my family and my health, plus I’m thankful for my church as iam learning more about Jesus this is a great kick off to a new year

Jon Welch - January 2nd, 2023 at 11:10am

No better way to start the year than spending time with Jesus!

Emily McCauley - January 2nd, 2023 at 11:12am

We are all so Blessed to have such an amazing church and people that want to not stay the same but grow in the Lord.

Hannah Gagnon - January 2nd, 2023 at 9:02am

friendships, family, career that fills my cup and heart.

Trina Shields - January 2nd, 2023 at 9:30am

I am thankful for my gift of living in a country that I am free to openly study and worship the Bible. I am thankful that we are not part of a society that forces us to believe and behave in away that would draw us away from God. We truly get to experience free will.

Emily McCauley - January 2nd, 2023 at 10:59am

Freedom is such a GIFT. We take this for granted because we don’t see the way other countries live.

Emily McCauley - January 2nd, 2023 at 10:56am

Thankful for the gift of the Holy Spirit! He helps us have the Fruit of the Spirit and this helps us 24/7. How we interact with people, how we respond to our spouses and children and our co workers. He teaches and helps us love the unlovable and have patience’s when we want to blow up and gives us peace in a scary situation and gives us Joy. He brings the Bible down to our level and helps us comprehend it. He guides us in every way, if we allow Him too. We have to activate the Holy Spirit daily. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be with us all the time and it is truly the best gift we could EVER have. He humbles us and makes us Grateful for the smallest things that God has given us, our eye sight, running water ( a hot shower is heavenly lol), heat and air, our cars, prayer and worship and we can anytime and anywhere. I am grateful for worship music. Thank you Jesus for this Amazing gift!!!



If you have ever seen a baby be born that is something we are all thankful for, that only comes from God and his creation.

Robin Miller - January 2nd, 2023 at 11:32am

We are grateful that our children love the Lord and that He brought people into their lives that strengthen that relationship!

Jon Welch - January 2nd, 2023 at 12:04pm

Yes! Isn't it funny how I can say one thing to my children but if someone else says it, they listen! haha I'm glad for community that points my children to the Lord as well!

Katie Cline - January 2nd, 2023 at 12:13pm

Truly, I have SO much to be thankful for. I am so thankful for my family and their health. I am also thankful for grace and forgiveness.

Jen Canan - January 2nd, 2023 at 12:40pm

I am so thankful for my family and wonderful friends and community at Leesburg. I am blessed to be a part of this amazing community/church. I am thankful for the encouragement and support to grow closer to God.

Emily McCauley - January 2nd, 2023 at 4:14pm

We are so thankful to have you and your family at Leesburg:).

Sue Fundaro - January 2nd, 2023 at 4:55pm

Jon, you are a good teacher. So knowledgable about the biblical teachings. I look forward to studying the above lesson. Thank you !!

Donna Lester - January 2nd, 2023 at 6:33pm

Thank the lord he gave me a sound mind and walks with me daily. Grateful for my family. They are so precious to me

Nikki Wiggins - January 2nd, 2023 at 7:30pm

I am so grateful to have every person in my family, a safe place to call home, our health and the ability to work to provide our needs. How blessed are we? Safe, loved, fed, warm… the list goes on and on.

Courtney Bailey - January 2nd, 2023 at 8:02pm

The gift of singing and being able to sing his praises at church! The gift of teaching and the knowledge to be able to lead my students. The gift of life, of family, the gift of having a Freewill to choose if I want to serve him or not. And being able to choose to worship him! We are so blessed !

Laura Norcross - January 2nd, 2023 at 8:36pm

Grateful for my family (like everyone else said) and grateful to have easy access to God’s Word. Not everyone has a copy of the Bible (and in some places it is dangerous to have one). We live in a country with so much access to God’s Word and we often take that for granted.

Tabetha - January 2nd, 2023 at 8:40pm

I am so thankful for my family, our church family, and for being raised in a Christian home. I’m thankful for Gods promise to always be there, and never forsake us! Thank you Jesus for loving me, and forgiving me even when I fail. Casting crowns song has been on my heart all day “I will praise you in this storm” 🙌🏻

Nancy Power - January 2nd, 2023 at 9:42pm

I am so grateful for my family, my church, my friends, my career, so many things. I am especially thankful for my savior and my God who gives us exceedingly more than what we need.

Millie Harp - January 2nd, 2023 at 11:16pm

A big one - Being raised in a Christian home, one of the most valuable gifts I have received

A smaller one - PTO! I have loved it

Amanda Welch - January 3rd, 2023 at 8:03am

I think the greatest gift He has given me is forgiveness! I am not who I used to be, and I give Him all the credit! I was lost and now I am found. Without that forgiveness, I would not be where I am today. I would not have peace and joy- experience love and healing from my past! God is so good 🙌🏻

Mara - January 3rd, 2023 at 7:05pm

I am very thankful that God has lead me to a career where I can show others the love of Christ. I love that I can have influence over children and can be a positive example for them as Jesus is to us. I am also thankful that by loving their children I often have the opportunity to show their parents the love of Christ. If I wasn’t teaching I feel as though my mission field would be much more limited.

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