Keep growing in your relationship with Jesus: Take the message with you into your week. Reflect on the Bible passage and sermon (posts Sun. afternoon), then use the ideas below to help you talk it over with your friends, coworkers, family, or Grow Group (most groups on break for Christmas).

Icebreaker idea: What was one highlight of this past week for you? What’s something you’re looking forward to?

A way to pray: Pray with us that as a church as we move into the new year and where the Lord is leading us as a church. Pray for your Grow Group, pray for growth and relationships in your GG (if you are not in one pray that you are able to find one.)

Talk It Over: (The Swedish Method)

• “Light Bulb”- What did you notice from the passage? What stood out to you while reading or listening to it?

• “Question Mark”- What questions do you have from the passage? Was there anything you did not understand? Was there something you would like to ask the writer or the Lord from the passage

• “Arrow”- Where can we take what was said and apply it to our life?

Encountering the Child // Anticipated Encounter (Luke 2:25-38)

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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.

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Ice Breaker Questions

Here are some possible ways to get a conversation started:

1. What are the best stocking stuffers?

2. Have you ever joined in on another Winter holiday (i.e. Kwanza, Hannukah, etc.)?

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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.
  

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Discussion Questions

1. 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?

2. 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?

3. 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?

4. 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?

5. 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?

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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.

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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

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

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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.

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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?

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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.
  

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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?

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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.

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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

Encountering the Child

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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.

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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?

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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
  

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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?

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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.

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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.