Part 3: Promise - God Living to Save Us  |  12/22/19

Study Questions for 2019 Christmas Series

1.   Read Matthew 2:1-12.  How does Jesus 'threaten' you or your hopes for life?

     a)  In what ways can we fail to recognize Jesus, or have an inaccurate image/expectations of him?

2.   The 'real' Jesus came to free us from what has power over us and steals our ability to experience life fully.  Why do we still reject him?

     a) What specific thing do you need to do in order to 'move towards' God in faith like the wise men?

3.  Why is it important to see and own our sin if we want to truly know and experience Jesus in our lives?  

4.  Discussion the difference between you having expectations of God and allowing God to reveal Himself to you.

     a)  How can you all allow God to reveal Himself to you this week?

Part 2: Promise - God Living With Us  |  12/15/19

Study Questions for 2019 Christmas Series

1.  Read Luke 5:31.  How does the 'ordinary' setting of Christ's birth send a clear message about who he came for?

2.  Discuss the different ways God 'redeems' us, when it applies and the role of the Holy Spirit in each.

     a)  Galatians 4:4-5

     b)  Ephesians 1:13-14

     c)  Titus 2:13-14

What do these three meanings show us about God's character and how he wants to relate to us?

3.  Why do you think God saves ordinary people?

4.  Read 1 Corinthians 1:28-30.  Share specifically how God...

     a)  has redeemed you.

     b)  is redeeming you.

     c)  promises to redeem you in the future.

5.  Read Luke 2:19-20.  The shepherds went back to their ordinary lives but their everyday lives were changed.  How can you be most 'present' to God this week?

Part 1: Promise - God Living Within Us  |  12/08/19

Study Questions for 2019 Christmas Series

1.  Jesus fulfilled more than 300 of God's promises (prophecies) in his life.  What does that do to your faith and confidence God?

2.  Read Isaiah 7:5-14, Luke 1:26-35 and Matthew 1:18-23.  God's promise to King Ahaz wasn't fulfilled until 700 years later.  How does God's greater plan to 'save his people' influence the way we deal with disappointment with God and our unfulfilled expectations of our lives?

3.  Read Philippians 2:13 and Ezekiel 36:26-27.  What does 'God in us' enable us (you) to be and do?

4.  Because Mary was pregnant with God's son, it impacted her expectations of her life.  In what ways should we expect life to be different because God's Spirit lives within us?

     a)  Read Hebrews 12:7, Psalm 23:4 and Romans 7:21-22.  How can we reconcile our struggles with God's promise that he's always within us?

5.  Read 2 Corinthians 1:20.  How can your life be lived as an 'Amen' to God's 'Yes' in Jesus?

     a)  Share what you're asking God to give you faith for right now.  Pray in pairs for each other.