Unit I: Jonah: Love of the Father

December Sunday School Lessons – Union Gospel Press

Overseer Regina Ravenell-Carr
Dec 1: Comfort for God’s People – Isa. 40:1-5, 25-26, 29-31
Dec. 8: God Sends His Servant to Suffer for Us – Isa. 53:4-6, 10-12

Dec. 15: God’s Plan Is Affirmed – Luke 1:39-56
Dec. 22: God’s Messiah Is Born (Christmas) – Matt, 1:18-25
Dec 29: Salvation Prepared for All People – Luke 2:25-38
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him
should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 God has set a pattern before us to
demonstrate His “Love in Action!” There is a phrase that many have become comfortable with
expressing to one another. Have you ever said, “Love you more?” How do we measure love?
This month we will see the Love of the Father.
In the first lesson, we find Prophet Isaiah crying out to bring “Comfort to God’s People.” He is
encouraging them that have been in captivity and are about to come out of the wilderness. The
key verse (29) says, “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth
strength.” This lets us know that while we might feel exhausted, God will restore us, to continue
the journey and to overcome the enemy.
Question: What does it mean to “wait upon the Lord (v.31)?”

Second, the promise is reassured because “God Sends His Servant to Suffer for Us?” This
Servant will be wounded for our transgression; bruised, and chastised for our sakes. He takes on
the punishment for our sin, and delivers out of all evil. It is by His stripes that we are healed.
There is no greater love than this!
Question: What is the nature of the healing we receive through the stripes of the Servant?

Next, we move from the prophet word of Isaiah to the angelic word of Gabriel speaking to Mary.
He announces that not only will she conceive, but Elisabeth, who was barren, is now pregnant.
Mary traveled to Elisabeth, and the baby in Elisabeth womb leaped! “Mary said, ‘My soul doth
magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior (46-47).’ Why? “God’s Plan Is
Affirmed,” that the Savior is coming!
Question: What was the basis for Elisabeth’s blessing of Mary?
In the fourth lesson, “God’s Messiah Is Born!” Our Savior is born. He is a healer, restorer, and
deliverer! Gabriel announces to David (whom Mary is espoused to), fear not… ‘and she shall
bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their
sins.’ God doesn’t send his Son just to save us from our enemies, but to save us from ourselves.
He shall also be called, Emmanuel, which means, God with us!
Question: Why is the virgin birth of Jesus so important to mankind??
Finally, we find Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus in the temple, for the baby to be blessed. ‘There
was a man name Simeon, who the Holy Spirit revealed that he should not see death before he had
seen the Lord’s Christ. Simeon took the child up in his arms and blessed God and said, ‘For my
eyes have seen thy salvation!’ Simeon bears witness that “Salvation Prepared for all People,”
has come through this child.
Question: How would Jesus’ coming be a sign of what was in people’s heart?