Luke 2:34-35 This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And the sword will pierce your own soul too.

1. The prospect of a new year always bring ____________ of the ____________.

2. Jesus brings salvation, but not in a ____________ or ____________ way.

3. We go into the new year confident because we have God's ____________ and ____________.

Scripture Readings
Exodus 13:1-3a,11-15
Colossians 3:12-17
Luke 2:22-40

Take It With You!

As we learn how to live as disciples of Jesus Christ, here helpful tools will be offered to aid in your study.

Martin Luther suggested that one becomes a true theologian and stronger in faith through prayer (oratio), meditation on Scripture (meditation), and struggle (tentatio). Of the third he says:

In the third place there is tentatio, agonizing struggle. This is the touchstone. This does not teach you simply about knowing and understanding, but also about experiencing how correct, how true, how sweet, how lovely, how powerful, how comforting God's Word is, wisdom above all wisdom.

For this reason you see how David, in [Psalm 51], complains so often about all manner of enemies, about wicked princes or tyrants, about false spirits and hosts under which he had to suffer, because he meditated, which means that he went back and forth with God's Word... in all sorts of ways. For as soon as the word of God permeates you, the devil will seek to afflict you so as to make you a real doctor [of God's Word] and will teach you by his temptations to seek the word of God and love it.

Martin Luther