By Michael C. Mack

What family Christmas traditions are you using this year to focus on Christ and why he came into the world? 

Read Exodus 13:13b-15; Luke 2:22-32. 

The dedication of the firstborn looked back and forward: back to the Passover, when God saved the firstborn of the Israelites from death (Exodus 12:12, 13), and forward to Jesus coming into the world. How is God’s plan for our redemption and salvation described in these passages? 

Redeem means to buy back with a (specified) payment. If there were an agreement for God buying you back, what would the terms be? (See Hebrews 9:15.)

Think about the teachable moments you have with your children or other people during the Christmas season. What opportunities do you have to answer the question, “What does this mean?” 

How specifically did God use Simeon in his plans for redemption and salvation? 

How can Simeon’s response to seeing Jesus be a model for you this week for celebrating the coming of our Savior and Redeemer into the world? 

Imagine you are Simeon, holding Jesus in your arms. Have each person write their own praise, based on Simeon’s words in verses 29-32. Then read them aloud as a way to close out your session in praises.

Michael Mack leads church training events and consults with churches through his ministry, Small Group Leadership (www.smallgroupleadership.com).