SAT-7 UK Advent Prayer Day 18

DECEMBER 18

THE SHEPHERD’S CALL

BIBLE STUDY

Read / Listen to Luke 2:8-20

The shepherds were met by a whole host

of angels – what a terrifying and exciting

experience! What would be your first instinct?

Run away? Faint? Join in the worship?

The shepherds were not at the centre of society;

they were outsiders, on the fringes, just going

about their work. No one else would have

thought to share important news with them but,

here, we see they were valued by God. He

chose to share the good news with them. Their

reaction is so immediate, so compelling. They go

to Bethlehem to see Jesus and when they return,

they are in awe, called to worship and share all

that they had seen and heard.

There are many things that hold us back from

sharing the good news of Jesus. Remember

that first time you encountered Him; perhaps

you immediately wanted to share what you

had experienced. But the pressures and

judgement from those around us can fill us with

fear, quietening our response. For Christians

in the MENA region, sharing the Gospel can

be incredibly challenging and even illegal in

some places. They risk being ostracised from

their families and communities; arrest and

imprisonment; violence and even death.

Nevertheless, God calls us, as he did the

shepherds, to share His son Jesus with the world.

This season, ask God to help you become like

the shepherds. Praise Him, glorify Him, and

share all that He has done for you.

REFLECTION

QUESTIONS

1

What are you most inspired by in this

part of the Christmas story?

2

The shepherds respond to what they

see and hear by praising God. What

are you praising God for today?

3

How could you share the good news

of Jesus this Advent season? Ask God

to fill you with His Holy Spirit and

give you boldness and confidence to

do this.

PRAY

Loving Heavenly Father, give us a fresh

perspective on all that you have done for us

through your son Jesus. There is such joy in

knowing that Jesus came to earth for each

of us and we praise and worship you for this

incredible gift. Fill us and all your children in

the MENA with your Holy Spirit today and

help us to share the Gospel with those around

us this Advent season. Amen.