Grow Group Questions // December 12th, 2021
Encountering the Child // Anticipated Encounter (Luke 2:25-38)
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 Simeon and Anna.
Ice Breaker Questions
Here are some possible ways to get a conversation started:
What are the best stocking stuffers?
Have you ever joined in on another Winter holiday (i.e. Kwanza, Hannukah, etc.)?
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
If we were writing the story today, who would we expect Jesus would encounter early on in His life? Maybe while contemplating that answer, you thought of a pastor or some religious figure and yet the text says Simeon is “a man in Jerusalem” and seems to not be anything special. Does this change our view of who God uses in His plan? What hope does that give us? What does that say about God that He chooses ordinary people in His story?
Read Luke 2:25. What words are used to describe Simeon (besides “a man in Jerusalem”)? We see words like “righteous”, “devout”, and “looking” – would you describe yourself that way today? What would it look like to live in a way to be defined by those words?
When Simeon meets Jesus, he experiences great joy and great peace. Do you feel that peace when you encounter Jesus? What feelings do you feel when you encounter Jesus?
We do not know how long Simeon was asked to wait for this encounter, but he was asked to wait, and he did so eagerly. Do we wait with the same anticipation for Christ in our lives? Do we have the same space for Christ to intersect with our lives? What can get in our way?
Not only do we get to see Simeon’s story, but there is a small blurb in v. 36-38 about a prophetess named Anna. What similar themes do we see between how Anna lived her life and how Simeon lived his life? Are we as committed to prayer and fasting? When was the last time we spent a significant time praying? How about fasting?
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: I would take this time and write down some encounters with Christ you have had in your life. It is good to take a step back and remind ourselves where God has worked and met us in our life. Be encouraged that the Lord has and is seeking you out!
Fasting: Fasting is one of the more under-utilized spiritual disciplines in many churches and many believers’ lives. I encourage you to fast at least once this week. If you are new to this, I would encourage fasting for just one meal and during that time commit yourself to prayer. This is not a tool to gain favor from God but to remind us of our weakness and dependance on Him while also creating space to interact with God.
Next Week’s Passage: Matthew 2:1-23