The Location (Luke 2:1-5)

the location of Jesus’s birth.
the emperor’s decree.

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered.
2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee,
to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family line of David,
5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant.

Emphasize:

Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem was the fulfillment of prophecy,
and God orchestrated everything that happened.

Explain the significance of Bethlehem as Jesus’s birthplace and His connection to King David.

Ask:

• Why was it important for Luke to include the details about the ruler and the couple’s travel? (p. 39)

Transition:

The events in these verses,
though they appear to have been initiated by humans, were orchestrated by God.