1. Why Shepherds?
Luke 2:8-20

2. Why did God include shepherds that first Christmas?

3. The Shepherds …
Hear (2:8-14)

4. Does your approach to GENEROSITY … Enhance others’ DIGNITY or PITY
Does your approach to GENEROSITY … Enhance others’ DIGNITY or PITY? Seem FOR others or WITH others?

5. In over forty years working with the urban poor in inner-city Atlanta and around the globe, I have learned that it takes more than high ideals to bring about substantive change in populations of need. Most people fault the government for failed social programs, and yet frequently we embrace similar forms of disempowering charity …

6. … Our free food and clothing distribution encourages ever-growing handout lines, diminishing the dignity of the poor while increasing their dependency. We converge on inner-city neighborhoods to plant flowers and pick up trash, bruising the pride of residents who have the capacity and responsibility to beautify their own environment. We fly off …

7. … on mission trips to poverty-stricken villages, hearts full of pity and suitcases bulging with giveaway goods … Giving to those in need what they could be gaining from their own initiative may well be the kindest way to destroy people.” - Robert Lupton in Toxic Charity

8. The Shepherds …
Hear (2:8-14)
Come & See (2:15)

9. Does your hurry this Christmas lead to … DEVOTION or DISTRACTION?

10. The Shepherds …
Hear (2:8-14)
Come & See (2:15)
Share (2:16-17)

11. Practical Ways to Share
Candyland Christmas Party for Kids
Invite International Student Over
Invite Neighbor or Coworker Over
Pray for Open Doors with Family

13. Why Shepherds?
Luke 2:8-20