Encountering the Child

Introduction

Have you heard the Christmas story so many times it almost feels…ho-hum? One more bit of white noise amid the rush-rush holiday season? But we’re talking about God coming *in the flesh*!

Let’s step aside from the hubbub and look at some of the first people to encounter the Christ child – how did they react? And what about us? What’s our reaction as we encounter Him this Christmas? Casual or indifferent, maybe even hostile? Or joyful, amazed, delighted? This week we will be looking at the responses of both Elizabeth and Mary.

Ice Breaker Questions

Here are some possible ways to get a conversation started:

1. What has been your favorite Christmas gift you have ever gotten?

2. Do you have a Christmas tradition you like to do?

Getting Started

Open up with some prayer – some possible prayer topics:

• God would lead your time of discussion.

• That this study would help our understanding of who God is and who we are in light of that.

• Pray for your GG, that God would bring unity and community in your group

• That this season we would each be reminded and feel the joy of the gift God has given us
  

Discussion Questions

1. This past Sunday marked the start of Advent, which we learned is a reference to us as believers waiting for the return of Christ. If you were being honest, if Christ were to return tomorrow, would that be exciting or disappointing to you? Why? Would you be confident that the people closest to you would be joining you? Do you feel that you have or are doing the work to share Christ with them?

2. Reading passages like Matt. 6:21 and Matt. 5:18 we see that our actions and thoughts point back to where our heart is at. If we were to step into your life and see your thoughts and actions, what would see is most important to you during the Christmas season? Do your actions and thoughts reflect the truth that God gave us the greatest gift of his son to share with others? Why is that?

3. Often when reading stories like Elizabeth’s story and her response to Mary and the eventual birth of Jesus can feel like a far-fetched idea. We often struggle to get excited about this season year after year. What can get in our way during the Christmas season? How can we help correct that as we prepare for the upcoming season?

4. We talked about how we currently live at a significant time for the Kingdom of God. Why is it significant? Do you feel that it is significant? Why or why not? Do you live in such a way? Why or why not?

5. In today’s world children are often seen as an inconvenience and yet Jesus in Matt. 18:1-4 talks about having child-like faith. What does that mean? How would you describe your walk with the Lord?  How can we grow in our child-like wonder of the Lord?

Closing Prayer

Prayer can often be somewhat of a weird time, and we understand it can be awkward to pray out loud, but as your group grows in comfortability ask people to pray out loud. Prayer is a very effective tool the Holy Spirit uses to draw our hearts closer to God. It is also a time you as a group can come together and come before the throne of God and make requests and just experience Him.

Some suggestions:

• Ask if there are any prayer requests.

• Pray that Jesus would use the week to reaffirm the truths discussed here.

• Pray that God would put a burden on each person for Berean

• Pray for new people to come to know Christ this season.

Personal Spiritual Practice

This section is for anyone that wants some practical steps to try throughout their week. they are not required, but maybe a great way to reinforce what has been discussed during group. Maybe this could even be a way to check in either during the week or the next time you meet as a group.

Journal: It is so easy to forget all that God is doing and has done in our life. When we are experiencing good times, we often just continue to in them forgetting to note them, and when hard times come we have forgotten where God was faithful. Take this time and reflect on some of the things God has done. I would encourage thinking through some big events in the past few years, then thinking through the past year, and then each day try and see what God is doing each day.

Pray for the Lost: Have you ever asked those around you how you can be praying for them. It is such a good practice and often will open conversations about the other person’s life where you can bring the hope of Jesus. Take this week and ask neighbors, servers, baristas, co-workers, etc. how you can be praying for them. They may say they have nothing for you, but offering that invitation is such a good way to open a door and let them know you care.