Big Idea: God needed to stage a demonstration and the world needed an illustration because we needed to see it to believe it. How does God communicate love & concern to a material world that turned so corrupt? ! Galatians 4:4–5 (NLT) 4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. . Romans 5:8 (NIV) 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Demonstration: Jesus’ death demonstrated & documented that he was for us before we had an opportunity to decide if we were for him. To dishonor the source of life is an expression of ingratitude deserving the forfeiture of life. Acts 3:13–15 (NLT) 14 You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact! Demonstration: Jesus’ death demonstrated the magnitude of our ingratitude… and the magnitude of his love for us. Romans 5:7–8 (NLT) 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. Matthew 1:20–23 (NLT) 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ ” CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION: What were some of your family traditions that helped shaped your view of Christmas? You heard a few questions that are central to the message of Christmas (e.g., Why did God have to come as a baby? Why did Jesus have to die?) a)What questions about Jesus or the Christmas story have you wrestled with at some point? Read Romans 5:6–8. What are some truths about God that you wouldn’t know if Jesus hadn’t demonstrated them? You heard: “Jesus’ death demonstrated the magnitude of our ingratitude and the magnitude of his love for us.” a)Is it ever difficult for you to believe God loves you that much? b)Why or why not? What can you do this Christmas season to show gratitude for God’s choice to demonstrate his love for you? How can we in this group help you?