Lessons from the Wise Men

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Lessons from the Wise Men's Reaction to the Christ ChildAfter Jesus’ birth the wise men, or magi, inquired in Jerusalem, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Having been instructed to go to Bethlehem, for that was where the prophets had written, they went on their way. When they saw the star stopping over where the Christ child was, “they were overjoyed” and seeing Jesus, they “bowed down and worshiped him”. Then they presented Him with their gifts. (See Matthew 2:1-12)

The Wise Men’s Reaction to Seeing the Christ Child

The wise men knew enough to follow the star, undoubtedly already having some kind of awareness of God’s intent for Jesus to come into this world. This was confirmed when they inquired about Him in Jerusalem. When they finally arrived, worship sprang from the great joy they felt at having found the prophesied One.

Lessons for Us:

God told the Israelites through the prophet Jeremiah, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13) — Just as the wise men didn’t give up their pursuit but wholeheartedly and earnestly pursued Him till they found Jesus, so we too need to seek no matter where the journey of life takes us. We may need some help along the way but His star will reappear and He will be found.

Worship is the logical reaction to an encounter with Jesus. He is worthy of all honor and praise. He is the One of whom many prophecies have been fulfilled (Lk. 24:44-47; Heb. 1:1-3; 1 Pet. 1:10-12). He is the One who would bring salvation from the penalty of our sin and one day reign supreme, having overcome death, sin, and the evil one.

The Wise Men’s Offerings to the Christ Child

Out of a heart of worship, the magi presented their gifts. “… they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” (Matt. 2:11) They gave Him what they had of great value, perhaps not realizing that their gifts may well have represented Jesus’ life as the King of kings, Great High Priest, and our Suffering Savior.

Lessons for Us:

But, what gifts do we have fit for a King? What can we give in return to the One who intercedes on our behalf so that the penalty for our sin is forgiven? What can we offer the One who gave His all for us? The Apostle Paul urged believers in Rome, “in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship.” (Rom. 12:1)

He doesn’t need our worship. His worth isn’t dependent on what we offer Him. If it was, He wouldn’t be God. But, He wants us to seek Him so we can be in a relationship with Him. He doesn’t want a forced homage from us but one that springs from a heart of joy at having followed His star and found Him just as Scripture says.

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Jesus … God With Us

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… they will call him Immanuel — which means, “God with us.” (Matt. 1:23)

What a powerful description of Jesus — “God with us.”

Reflect on the Significance of Immanuel, God With Us

Using Scripture to interpret Scripture, let’s look at each of the three words in that highly significant name given to Jesus.

GOD with us.

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. (Heb. 1:3)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (Jn. 1:1-5)

God WITH us.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Jn. 1:14)

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! (Phil. 2:6-8)

God with US.

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet TO ALL WHO RECEIVED HIM, TO THOSE WHO BELIEVED IN HIS NAME, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (Jn. 1:9-13)

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matt. 28:20)

Let’s make sure the One we celebrate is more than a baby in a manager. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us!

For More About Jesus: Christology Resources

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Resources for the Fall, a Time to Reap the Harvest

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Fall, Autumn Months, Time to Reap a Harvest
We can use the Fall Season, or Autumn months, to reflect on the blessings of Harvest time. We’re reminded about the principle of sowing and reaping which applies not only to crops but also to our lives. Take time to read these verses: Galatians 6:9, Hebrews 12:11, James 3:18, 5:7-8

Ideas for Reflecting on the Blessings of Harvest During the Fall Season

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1) Use displays and decorations depicting the Fall Season.

Bulletin Boards for Autumn:

Decorations for the Fall Season:

2) Provide reminders on handouts of various kinds.

Bulletins for Fall:

Offering Envelopes:

Objects or Tokens:

3) Provide hands-on activities with reminders, like crafts and games for children.

4) Hold Fall Festivals and promote activities related to Autumn.

Make the Most of the Holidays During the Autumn Months

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Resources for Ministry Over the Summer Months

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God Made Summer and Winter - Ministry Resources to Point to the Season
Though the summer months may bring challenges for the Church, like a slump in attendance and giving, as well as fewer available ministry workers, it also opens doors to new possibilities in ministry not present during other seasons of the year. Since God created our world to experience seasons (Ps. 74:17; 104:19), let’s adapt and “make the most of every opportunity” (Eph. 5:16, Col. 4:5).

Links listed below to other sites will open in a new page to keep the list available to look at additional ministry resources. Where possible, we link to merchants with whom we have an affiliate relationship, such as being an Amazon Associate from whom we earn from qualifying purchases. These sites may use cookies to track your activity to ensure that Ministry Tools Resource Center gets commissions from any sales.

Help with the Effects of Summer on the Church and Ministry

These articles address some areas affected during the summer months:

Ideas for Ministry Over the Summer Months

These articles look at summer outreach and other ideas for the summer ministry:

Ministry Resources for the Summer Season

God’s creation is on full display during the summer months so why not bring some of it inside through handouts and decor.

Bulletins for Summer:

Bulletin Boards for Summer:

Misc. Resources Without a Christian Emphasis But Could Be Useful to Some Ministry Events or Activities:

You Might Also Be Interested in Resources for These Summer Holidays and Seasonal Events:

For Other Seasons of the Year, go to: Seasonal Ministry Resources

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Spring Reminders of New Life in Christ

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Spring! The days get longer, temperatures become warmer, trees bud, plants sprout, flowers bloom, grass greens up, bees start buzzing, and birds and animals come out more. We could describe it as a time of renewal or re-birth, of new beginnings. Spring can therefore be used as a reminder of the new life we have in Christ. — Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Cor. 5:17)

Ways to Use Spring as a Reminder of Our New Life in Christ

Links to other sites will open in a new page to keep the list available to look at additional ministry resources. Where possible, we link to merchants with whom we have an affiliate relationship, such as being an Amazon Associate from whom we earn from qualifying purchases. These sites may use cookies to track your activity to ensure that Ministry Tools Resource Center gets commissions from any sales.

  1. We can promote this spring theme through displays and decor.
  • Bulletin Boards

Books with Ideas:

Online Ideas:

Sets:

He Makes All Things New Spring Bulletin Board Set

  • Decorations and Supplies
  • Misc. Decor
  1. We can provide hands-on activities with reminders, like crafts for children.
  1. We can point to it on handouts, like bulletins.
  1. We can plan ministry opportunities purposefully designed for the spring season.

And, don’t forget these spring holidays:

Interested in Ministry Resources for Other Seasons?

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Winter Season Reminders of God

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Using winter scene displays or decor is one way to remind people of our Creator God. We can also use activities or take home handouts with a winter theme to serve as reminders of God’s truth. God Himself uses word pictures in Scripture that sometimes pull in a seasonal reference like Isaiah 1:18. — “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” That image reminds us that we have a merciful and gracious God.

Links to other sites will open in a new page to keep the list available to look at additional ministry resources. Where possible, we link to merchants with whom we have an affiliate relationship, such as being an Amazon Associate from whom we earn from qualifying purchases. These sites may use cookies to track your activity to ensure that Ministry Tools Resource Center gets commissions from any sales.

Crafts & Other Activities that Tie into the Winter Season

Children especially learn through repetition so the more we depict a lesson’s truth in different ways, the more we will reinforce what they’re learning. A winter themed craft or activity might use a verse unrelated to the season to reinforce that day’s lesson but it can serve a dual purpose of pointing them to the Creator of all things.

Religious Winter Penguin Magnet Craft Kit     Always Believe Arctic Sign Craft Kit      Jesus Warms My Heart Sweater Ornament Craft Kit

Handouts or Take Homes with a Winter Theme to Serve as Reminders of God

Church Bulletins

Other Handouts

Interested in Ministry Resources for Other Seasons?

Go to: Seasonal Ministry Resources

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