Encountering the Child // Unexpected Encounter (Luke 2:8-20)

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 the shepherds.

Ice Breaker Questions

Here are some possible ways to get a conversation started:

1. Pumpkin Spice or Peppermint?

2. Did you grow up believing in Santa? When was the truth broken to you?

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. If each one of us sat down and tried to guess how Jesus Christ, God of the universe, our Savior, the Messiah, would be born, we probably would not have seen the story laid out in Luke 2. What about this story is most surprising to you? One example you may have seen is that the shepherds are chosen. Shepherds are just common blue-collar workers and yet they are the first to see and encounter Jesus (besides his parents). Why do you think God chose the shepherds to be the first people to encounter Jesus? Why is that good news for us?

2. When we read stories like this one, we can often wish that the heavens would open up and angels would sing and talk to us like they seem to do all throughout Scripture. A good reminder is that the Bible covers thousands of years of history and how often do encounters like this happen to people? What is the danger of expecting/seeking encounters like the one in Luke 2? Does your life have the space to encounter God? If not, what are the distractions keeping you from encountering God? Where should we look to encounter God?

3. Read Luke 2:19. What does Mary do with everything that is happening? Have there been any times when God has unexpectedly shown up in your life? Would you be willing to share how He did that? Why is it important to remind us of these encounters?

4. What is so cool about the shepherds’ story is that after they have this encounter with Jesus, they feel deeply compelled to tell everyone around them. Have you ever felt that way about encountering Jesus? Did you do anything about that? Do you feel that way today? Why do you not think that is? How can we grow in our excitement and boldness?

5. We also see that the shepherds go out and worship and praise God after encountering Jesus. How is your heart toward God today? Do you feel worshipful? Joyful? Angry? Bitter? What is driving those emotions? What could be a step to take in re-orienting your heart back to worship?

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 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 try and see what God is doing each day.

Tell Someone: One of my favorite parts about the story of the shepherds is they are so filled with joy they cannot contain themselves and have to tell others. Do we ever feel like that? I feel like if I am honest, more often than not, no. Would you take the challenge from the shepherds and this week tell someone about Jesus. That may be a friend, coworker, relative, or anyone passing through your life, but could you intentionally share the Gospel with someone this week?

Next Week’s Passage: Luke 2:25-38