Series: What Child Is This?
Sermon: Wise Men
Speaker: Japhet De Oliveira
Writer: Japhet De Oliveira
Kids Sections: Jessyka Albert

Refresh: Open with prayer. Ask for the Holy Spirit to open your heart to new understanding and for God’s character to be revealed.

Read: Matthew 2:1-12 in the English Standard Version (ESV). Note 1–3 insights or questions. 

Reflect: I grew up in the city of London, complete with the smells, the bustle, and the lights of one of the world's largest and most vibrant cities. I was 19 years old before I had visited the countryside and stayed overnight. I still remember driving all the way to Cornwall and arriving at the tiny village of St Agnes. It was my first night as camp warden for the summer camp site near the beach and I was the only one there. The key to my trailer was hidden under a brick near the only tree at the entrance. Before even unpacking my few belongings, I drove the 800 yards from the campsite to the beach, following the sound of the crashing waves. Once I switched my car off and stood outside in the total pitch darkness, my eyes eventually adjusted to the true night skies. Oh, my dear God … the stars are endless, even to the naked eye. Suddenly the promise God made to Abraham came to life. Suddenly, my universe expanded beyond anything I had read or experienced. Year after year, I had the privilege of watching other city kids like me turn up to the summer camp and, for the first time, stand in awe of the universe. I imagine that these Eastern—probably Persian—wise men spent their lives studying the stars and trying to understand the cosmos. They were ancient astrologers. They would have explored all possibilities, all predictions. By the time of Jesus, the 10 northern kingdoms had been scattered around the known world. Their influence, their beliefs would have permeated so many more cultures. This goes to show that God works through all people and methods to reach still more people with the Good News.

How do we know they knew about the Messiah? Because they asked the right question, saying: “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:2, ESV)

Recalibrate: What is the question this Christmas that you need to ask Jesus?

Respond: Pray for the wisdom to follow the answer Jesus gives.

Research: What was the significance of the various gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus?

Live Wonder (ages 0–3)
As parents, you might get asked the same question over and over and over and over again. It could feel as if all you do is provide answers. Be intentional today about being patient in giving answers and also going out of your way to ask your child questions.

Live Adventure (ages 4–11)
If you could ask your parents any question, what would it be?  If you could ask Jesus any question, what would it be?

Live Purpose (ages 12–16) 
How many questions would you say you ask on an average day? Count how many questions you ask today. Do you think that you ask more questions than when were younger? Fewer? What one question do you wish you could have answered?