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I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS: Safe House


Icebreaker:

Who was your protector growing up?
What is the biggest threat to your children?

Overview:

A family who leaves an eight-year old boy home alone while they go on a Christmas vacation are certainly not providing the child with a safe home. It makes for a funny Christmas movie though since Kevin is not your normal eight-year old and is well able to defend his home when it is attacked by criminals. Kevin says, “This is my house, I have to defend it.” He is so good at it that Hollywood made FIVE Home Alone movies. It seems his parents never learned.

People change when they hurt enough that they have to change, learn enough that they want to change, receive enough that they are able to change. – John Maxwell

Joseph, Jesus’ earthly dad, did a much better job of providing a safe home for his son. He sensitively listened and followed God’s guidance even when it meant uprooting his life to protect Jesus from danger. We have Joseph to thank for providing a safe house for Jesus and protecting Him from those who meant to do Him harm so that one day He could become our Savior and Lord.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. -- John 10:10 ESV

Discussion:

Read Matthew 2:13-23.

Why didn’t Joseph hesitate when the angel told him to flee to Egypt?
What did Mary and Joseph give up protecting Jesus?
What kind of person orders children killed to save their job?
When did Joseph feel safe to return to Israel?
How did Joseph know where to live?
How do we provide a safe house (environment, city, state, world) for children?
What can we do this Christmas to help children live a better, safer life everywhere?


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