Matthew 2:1-11

First listen to the sermon (posts Sun. afternoon). Then use the ideas below to help you and your group apply what the Lord is teaching you.

Icebreaker idea

What is the best Christmas gift you have ever received? What about the worst?

Talk it over

• What was one thing from this week’s sermon that impacted/challenged me?

• Treasuring God: How do I see God’s hand at work in this passage? What kind of response does that stir up within me?

• Being Transformed: What can we learn from the example of the Magi? In what ways can I become more like them?

• Loving Others: Have I ever considered the influence that my celebration of Christmas has on others? How am I currently impacting those around me, in this way?

• Pursuing Unity: Like the magi, what can we practically do, over the next few weeks, to help one another anticipate Christ’s birth, seek Him in faith, and worship Him well?

A way to pray

Thank the Lord for His “coming to be with us” as we approach and anticipate Christmas. Ask him for a right perspective and ability to watch and wait well this advent season. Pray for a heart of worship and protection from getting caught up in all of the things that go along with Christmas and can take our focus away from Him. Pray that we would be a people who set the example of what truly matters most this Holiday season.

Matthew 1-2

First listen to the sermon (posts Sun. afternoon). Then use the ideas below to help you and your group apply what the Lord is teaching you.

Icebreaker idea

What is one thing you really look forward to each Christmas season?

Talk it over

• What was one thing from this week’s message that impacted/challenged me?

• Treasuring God: How do these fulfillments impact my view of God?

• Being Transformed: In what ways do I need the Lord to change how I anticipate His coming?

• Loving Others: How can God’s faithfulness, seen in these passages, reflect onto how I care for and serve others this Christmas season?

• Pursuing Unity: What are some practical ways we can encourage one another as we prepare for Christmas this year?

A way to pray

Thank God for his beauty and faithfulness that we see throughout these fulfillments of prophecy. Pray that His faithfulness would be highlighted through how we celebrate His coming this year. Ask Him to allow us to be individuals, families, groups, a Church who worship Him with a right heart and perspective this Christmas season as we reflect on His faithfulness together!

Luke 10:38-42

First listen to the sermon (posts Sun. afternoon). Then use the ideas below to help you and your group apply what the Lord is teaching you.

Icebreaker idea

Who is someone that you admire for their hospitality and heart to serve? Why?

Talk it over

• What was one thing from this week’s message that impacted/challenged me?

• Treasuring God: Why does my love for God impact my view/value of service?

• Being Transformed: What is one thing that I recognize I need Jesus to change within me, as a result of this story?

• Loving Others: What can I learn from the example of Martha in how I am hospitable and serve?

• Pursuing Unity: How can we help one another to learn to better “sit and listen” to Jesus before serving?

A way to pray

Thank God for sending Jesus, “not to be served but to serve” giving his life for ours. Ask the Lord to give us a right understanding of why/how He desires for us to serve Him and others. Pray that we would not get distracted by the serving, rather we would learn to sit with Jesus and allow Him to be the foundation of our service of others. Pray that we would be individuals, families, groups, and a Church who serve in healthy ways, out of a closeness to Jesus.

Luke 10:25-37

First listen to the sermon (posts Sun. afternoon). Then use the ideas below to help you and your group apply what the Lord is teaching you.

Icebreaker idea

Share about a good neighbor that you have had (or currently have). What made them a good neighbor? Have you had bad neighbors? What made them bad neighbors? :)

Talk it over

• What was one thing from this week’s gathering that impacted/challenged me?

• Treasuring God: How would I describe, in my own words, what Christ has done for me? How does that change my view of God?

• Being Transformed: What does this passage surface from within me, that I need Jesus’ help to change?

• Loving Others: Who is a “neighbor” that I have recently “passed by on the other side?” What step can I take to move toward them this week?

• Pursuing Unity: What can we do together, to grow in our “neighborliness” toward others?

A way to pray

Thank God for Christ’s finished work on my behalf. Pray that my ongoing belief and trust in Christ would lead me to be a good “neighbor.” Ask the Lord to reveal to me the people who I have overlooked failed to love well and for wisdom to know how to change that. Pray that we would be individuals, families, groups, and a Church that evidences our love for Christ by how we are “neighborly” towards those around us. Amen!