The Real, Not Ideal Christmas

Main Thought

A lot of people think of Christmas as “the most wonderful time of the year.” But a real Christmas typically isn’t an ideal Christmas. Surprisingly, this can be a great way to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. The advent (or arrival) of Jesus was far from perfect too. God used imperfect people as a part of His perfect plan. Joseph and Mary were betrothed, though not fully married. This likely created major issues for them. Christ’s birth was chaotic, not comfortable. Mary conceived as a Virgin. Then, Joseph and Mary needed to travel about 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem for a census - just before Mary gave birth. Jesus didn’t come to live in a comfortable palace and issue commands from a distance. He was born to provide salvation through His own suffering. In spite of all of this, Jesus fully complete everything He set out to do. We can find completion and fullness in Jesus, even when life - or Christmas - isn’t ideal.

Main Passages

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

- Matthew 1:18-19

20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” - Matthew 1:20-21

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

- Matthew 1:22-25

Discussion Questions

1. Share one thing that stood out to you from the Main Thought, Main Passages, or the devotional reading from this week.

2. Is there anything keeping your Christmas celebrations from being ideal this year? What is it?

3. The first-ever Christmas was far from perfect, but great joy came through Jesus anyway. How can God help you find joy in Him?

Small is Big

Main Thought

We remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus during the Christmas season. Jesus was born small, but His birth was one of the most significant events in human history. Small things can be very big in God’s Kingdom! God sees and loves people that society might classify as “small” or insignificant. He even sent an angel to announce the birth of His Son to shepherds - who were of low social status in the eyes of their culture. If we ever feel small or insignificant, we can take courage in knowing that God sees us and that He can use us.

God values humility and faithfulness over fame and power. King David, one of the Bible’s most famous shepherds, lived with this faithfulness and humility. He led sheep with consistency and care before God called Him to lead a Kingdom. He did “small” things with excellence and integrity. Still, when the time was right, David used his weapon. David used a simple sling to slay a giant. We can use the gifts, talents, and passions that God gave us too. David threw a stone to slay Goliath - but he also “threw” the name of God. God’s name carries His authority and power. When we pray in the name of Jesus, God can answer in big ways. Let us be faithful in the small things, like David. God sees it all, and He will reward those who faithfully complete the task in front of them.

Main Passages

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

- Luke 2:8-12 NIV

“He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.”

- Psalm 78: 70-72 NIV

“David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”

- 1 Samuel 17:45 NIV

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Main Passages above?

2. God consistently used “small” people, roles, acts of faith, and more to accomplish big things. (Think of Jesus being born as a baby, David starting out as a shepherd, or small lunches being multiplied and used to feed multitudes.) Why do you think He operates this way?

3. What task (or tasks) did the Lord assign to you in this season of your life? What does successfully continuing or completing that task look like to you?

Christmas Fears

Main Thought

There are a lot of cheerful things present during the Christmas season: trees, lights, gifts, Christmas music, parties, and more. But fear is present too. Fear was even present prior to the advent (or arrival) of Christ. Joseph, the husband of Mary and adopted father of Christ on earth, wrestled with different fears after discovering Mary was pregnant. We might find ourselves in a similar situation. Christmas cheer doesn’t make our fear disappear.

But God gave us a solution to the problem of fear. He gave us the gift of His love; He can make our fear leave. God cares for us and He’s capable of helping us. This is proven by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God’s love requires something from us before we can fully experience and enjoy it though (just like a gift that requires batteries before use). The gift of God’s love requires our trust. We trust in God when we follow His lead and rest in His love. Our experience of His love grows when we trust Him, and it can keep growing until it overwhelms our fears.

Main Passages

'Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.'

- Matthew 1:18-25

'There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. '

- 1 John 4:18

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

- ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Discussion Questions

1. Are there any fears you’re facing in this season? Please share them with your group, if you’re able to do so.

2. How can God’s love be a solution to our fears?

3. We exercise our trust in God when we follow His lead (doing things His way) and rest in His love. Which of those two things has been a bigger challenge for you recently? How can you grow in that area practically?

The First Promise

Main Thought

Promises are important. Do you know who made the first promise? The first promise ever made came from God Himself! God made a promise as a direct response to mankind’s sin. He promised that He’d send His Son, Jesus, to repair the damage created by our sin. This would reconcile us to God, and give us the opportunity to be restored to a relationship with Him. We celebrate the coming of Christ, and the fulfillment of the first promise ever made, on Christmas.

Main Passages

“The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.””

- Genesis 3:14-15 ESV

““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

John 3:16-17 ESV

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,”

Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV

Discussion Questions

1. Share one thing that stood out to you from the Main Thought, Main Passages, or the devotional reading from this week.

2. What do you think can be found in and through a relationship with God?

3. God keeps His promises, and that’s is forever proven by the advent - or the arrival of- of Jesus Christ. How can knowing this truth affect the way you live your life in this season?

The Ripple Effect of Giving

Main Thought

God has given us more than we might realize, and more than we might be able to imagine. He gave because He loves us. What’s the appropriate response to God’s giving and love toward us? Three words that can describe an appropriate response to God are remember, return, and rejoice. We remember God’s faithfulness to us. Moments of reflection, gratitude, and thanksgiving can help us do that. We can also return to God what belongs to Him. Our resources ultimately came from God; why not return a portion to express our love for Him? Finally, we can rejoice in God’s overflowing love and provision. God has given us more than enough for us to experience His love and live for Him. That’s worth celebrating.

Main Passages

“When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live in it, 2 you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place that the Lord your God will choose, to make his name to dwell there. 3 And you shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, ‘I declare today to the Lord your God that I have come into the land that the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.’ 4 Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the Lord your God. 5 “And you shall make response before the Lord your God, ‘A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. 6 And the Egyptians treated us harshly and humiliated us and laid on us hard labor. - Deuteronomy 26:1-6

7 Then we cried to the Lord, the God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror, with signs and wonders. 9 And he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O Lord, have given me.’ And you shall set it down before the Lord your God and worship before the Lord your God. 11 And you shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you.

- Deuteronomy 26:7-11

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

- 2 Corinthians 8:1-2

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Main Passages above?

2. Can you think of one gift from God that’s worth remembering and rejoicing over? If so, share with your group.

3. Deuteronomy 26:10 says (in part): “And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O Lord, have given me.” Why do you think God established a biblical pattern of worship in which we return some of the things He’s blessed us with to Him through giving? What might that look like in your life?

The Math of More than Enough

Main Thought

Math can help us solve a lot of problems, but can it help us solve a problematic lack of content and true satisfaction? The “Math of More than Enough” can! God wants to help us find true satisfaction in Him in ways that simply pursuing “more” (more money, possessions, experiences, etc.) never can. According to the Math of More than Enough:

Godliness + Contentment = Great Gain

Godliness is an inside-out devotion to God. It’s loving God more and living like Christ. We can grow in godliness when we give God our attention and when we give God our actions. Contentment comes from being happy with what we have, and deciding that we have enough. Giving can teach us to be content because it requires us to decide that we have enough. Other people are blessed when we make this decision too. If we want to increase our “great gain,” the true satisfaction and happiness that everyone wants, then we should look to grow in godliness and contentment.

Main Passages

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.“

- 1 Timothy 6:6-8

“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

- 1 Timothy 6:9-10

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

- 2 Corinthians 9:7-8

Discussion Questions

1. Do you think you have found “great gain,” true satisfaction or happiness, in God? Why or why not?

2. How do you think the godliness contributes to the satisfaction we find in God? Is there anything you can do to grow in godliness?

3. How do you think contentment contributes to the satisfaction we find in God? Is there anything you can do to grow in godliness?

A Surprising Way to Get Closer to God

Main Thought

A lot of people want to get closer to God. We often use this language intuitively, but what do we really mean by that? To be closer to God is to experience more of His love, and to love Him more in response. In order to love God more, we need to give Him our hearts. But our hearts are pulled in many other directions. We need to move our hearts toward God. This is something that tends to happen gradually.

Jesus taught us an effective - and surprising - way to gradually move our hearts toward God in Matthew 6:19-24. Giving money to God can help us give our hearts to Him. In doing so, we make the willful decision to value God and His Kingdom more. We give to God when our money goes toward things that facilitate the worship of God, and when we help make a way for others to know Him. Moving our finances toward God moves our focus toward God. When we focus on God, our awareness of Him and His love grows. We get closer to Him.

Main Passages

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

- Matthew 6:19-21

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.'

- Matthew 6:22-24

'And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. '

- Matthew 22:37-38

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or the Main Passages above?

2. Think about the statement Jesus makes in Matthew 6:21: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What do you think that means? How would you rephrase that statement in your own words?

3. Have you ever thought about giving as a means to get closer to God? Has giving to God ever helped you feel closer to Him, or do you think it could?

Ignite the Flame: Enthusiastic Faith in Witness and Worship

Main Thought

God wants to empower us through His Holy Spirit! In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he lists three things that come together to characterize enthusiastic faith for God. God wants to give us power to shine, and not shrink back. Light stands out in darkness. If we walk in God’s power, then we should shine in the midst of the dark world around us. God also wants to give us a love that’s expressive and not evasive. Jesus went to the Cross as the ultimate act of love. Followers of Jesus should also be unafraid of acting in love, because clear acts of love are an opportunity to point people to Christ. Finally, God wants to give us the freedom and self-control to move in faith as He leads us. Responding to God, rejecting fear, and renouncing temptation all require self-control. If we’ll live with this enthusiastic faith, we’ll see God do incredible things in us and through us.

Main Passages

5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

- 2 Timothy 1:5-7

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

- Acts 1:8

18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

- 1 John 4:18

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Main Passages above?

2. Paul lists three things we can gain through the Holy Spirit: power, love, and freedom through self-control. Which of these three things do you need most in this season of your life?

3. God gives us power to be witnesses for Him (Acts 1:8). Can you think of one or two people who are far from God that you could engage on behalf of Christ by the end of the year? (We engage people when we share the gospel, share our testimonies, invite them to church, etc.) Pray for these people by name.

The Power of the Holy Spirit

Main Thought

We’re all looking for something real. We want real love, joy, peace, power, etc. It’s difficult to find these things because we’re distance from God by default. As a result of this distance, we try to find satisfaction in anything that we can get our hands on. Different, “created things” - things like possessions and people that we find here on earth - can become like functional idols to us. We dedicate our time, energy, ambition, focus, and more to these idols to such an extent that we’re practically worshiping them. Yet these functional idols are powerless to fulfill their promise to satisfy our desire for something real.

We can find what we’re looking for in God. A real God does real things. Jesus really came to earth, and He really rose again. God has transformed so many of our lives in real ways. He also moves in real power through the Holy Spirit. God can speak to us; He can reveal things to us; He can even answer our prayers in power, performing miracles when He chooses. How can we start to experience these things for ourselves? We can start by believing in Jesus. We can also be bold in prayer, asking God to do real things in and through us.

Main Passages

25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

- Romans 1:25

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

- Romans 3:23-24

18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; 20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”

- Romans 15:18-21

Discussion Questions

1. Think about the following statement, which is inspired by Romans 1:25. “Sin is the worship or exaltation of a created thing instead of, or in place of, the Creator.” What does this statement mean to you?

2. Have you ever seen God “move in power” by the Holy Spirit? If so, how?

3. Are you currently believing for God to move in power in and through your life? How? Share with your group if you’re able and pray with each other.

The Purpose of the Holy Spirit

Main Thought

It feels great when one solution can solve multiple problems and meet many needs. What if there was a Person who could do that? Well, there is! The Holy Spirit can meet virtually every need in our lives - especially the immaterial needs of our inner being. Love, approval, comfort, peace and more can be found in the Holy Spirit. There are also specific, spiritual needs that the Holy Spirit came to fulfill. We need someone to lead us closer to Jesus. The Holy Spirit reveals the truth about Jesus to us. He brings our faith in God to life and raises it to new levels. We need someone to help us grow in God. The Holy Spirit inspires us to pursue God in faith. When we do, He causes us to grow and become like Christ. We also need a purpose and the power to accomplish it. The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome obstacles when we make Jesus known. Why not seek the Holy Spirit’s presence? We have nothing to lose, and everything to gain! Every time we make a decision that honors God (like reading our Bibles, praying,  rejecting temptation, etc.), we sow a seed toward our relationship with God. The Holy Spirit wants to show us that He can be everything we need.

Main Passages

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

- John 16:13-14

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. -

Galatians 5:16-17

8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

- Galatians 6:8

Discussion Questions

1. What kinds of immaterial (mental, emotional, and spiritual) needs do we have as human beings?

2. Why do you think we turn to earthly or temporary things to meet the needs of our inner beings instead of turning to the Holy Spirit?

3. What’s one decision you can make on a regular basis to invite the Holy Spirit into your life?

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

Main Thought

The Book of Joel was written during a dark time in Judah’s history. Locusts ravaged the land and created a famine. It was against this dark backdrop that God made a promise of light and hope. God promised that He’d eventually pour His Holy Spirit out to His people. God kept this promise when the Holy Spirit arrived on the Day of Pentecost (50 days after Jesus Christ rose from the dead). Today, God’s Holy Spirit is available and accessible - but that doesn’t necessarily mean that we’ll experience Him. If we want to experience God’s promises, then we need to fulfill God’s premises. A premise is a condition that we need to meet. If we want to feel close to God, then we need to draw near to Him in faith. God wants to save, shape, and satisfy everyone who draws near to Him.

Main Passages

16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

- Acts 2:16-18, 21

6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

- Galatians 4:6-7

‘On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.'

- John 7:37-39

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or the Main Passages above?

2. God made a lot of promises in the Bible. Which one is your favorite? Try to find it in the Bible and share it if you can.

3. Is there a promise of God that you’d like to see fulfilled in, or through, your life? If so, then is there a premise (condition) that you are responsible for meeting?

Rediscovering the Holy Spirit

Main Thought

Most Christians have heard of the Holy Spirit. A lot of people who don’t follow God or go to church might have heard of Him too. But how many people know who the Holy Spirit is, and what He came to do? How many people experience His presence? We need to rediscover the Holy Spirit! He’s not a something; He’s a Someone. We can know God through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. But God won’t force us to do this. The Holy Spirit isn’t forceful; He’s faithful. He’s accessible - and we can experience Him when we’re ready to pursue Him intentionally. When we do, we discover that the Holy Spirit isn’t distant; He’s intimate. We can discern the love, comfort, strength, joy, and leading of God as we draw closer and closer to Him. The Holy Spirit wants to be present in our lives - and, He wants to be transformational in our lives.

Main Passages

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

- John 14:16-18

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…

- Romans 8:15-16
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,[a] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

- 2 Corinthians 3:18

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Main Passages above?

2. Do you feel like you’ve ever experienced the Holy Spirit’s presence? If so, how would you personally describe what that’s like?

3. What barriers might prevent you from experiencing the Holy Spirit’s presence? (Examples might include busyness, anger, doubt, unforgiveness, sin, etc.) What can you do to remove those barriers and seek the Holy Spirit in faith?

Butter than Anger

Main Thought

Everyone knows what it feels like to be angry. We get angry when something we hold dear is threatened. It’s a natural response, but we need to be careful. Anger can build until it breaks. It can cause damage to property, to people, to us and our relationships, and more. God can be angry too, but anger isn’t God’s preferred response. God’s anger is outweighed by God’s love. God told us this Himself, then showed us through Jesus Christ. When Jesus was on the Cross, He looked down at those who were crucifying and mocking Him and said: “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” Jesus responded with love, setting an example for us in the process. We can let go of our anger and “look with love.” We can look to God; we can look within us to figure out why we’re angry; and, we can look at others with empathy. When we choose love first, we choose a response that’s better than anger alone.

Main Passages

33 For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.

- Proverbs 30:33

6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness… -

Exodus 34:6

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

- Hebrews 4:15-16

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above?

2. The Greek Philosopher Aristotle suggested that anger can be useful if someone can be “angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way.” Do you think God might be able to help us accomplish that difficult task? Why or why not?

3. Do you think any of these three things might be able to help you let go of anger and “look with love”? If so, which one(s) and why?

   1. Look to God, remembering that we’ve been forgiven and that He offers us help.

   2. Look to ourselves, to figure out what’s happening inside us when we’re angry.

   3. Look at others with empathy, in an effort to understand and forgive.

Life Group H.E.A.R. Journal: Proverbs 22-28

Life Group H.E.A.R. Journal

Weekly Reading: Proverbs 22-28

17Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. - Proverbs 27:17

An easy, memorable way to learn how to read and process the Bible is through the H.E.A.R. journaling method. This process helps us read God’s Word with the goal of understanding it and applying it to our lives. The letters stand for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. 

• Highlight a scripture: Pick one verse (or pick a set of connected or related verses) from the Book of Proverbs. (Our church is scheduled to read one chapter per day. We’re covering chapters 22 through 28 this week.) Highlight this verse or write down the Book, chapter, and verse number.

• Explain the context: By asking some simple questions with the help of God’s Spirit, we can understand the meaning of a passage or verse. The following questions can help us understand the context of a passage: What’s happening in the story? Why was this written, and to whom? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? What does God intend to communicate through this text? 

• Apply it to your life: Application is the heart of the process! Answering a series of questions can help us uncover the meaning of these verses to us on a personal level. What is God saying to me? How can this help me? What does this mean today? How would applying this look in my life?

• Respond with action: This is the last part of the H.E.A.R. Journal. Your response to the passage may take on many forms. You may write a call to action. You can describe how you’ll be different because of what God said to you through His Word. You may indicate what you’re going to do because of what you have learned. You can even respond by writing out a prayer to God.

This week, you can share something from your own reading. If you need to read, you can start with the chapter in Proverbs that matches today’s date. We’ll write our responses and share them with our group. (If you journal some other way, feel free to do that!) Pay special to the Apply and Respond steps; that’s where God’s Word comes to life! 

Let’s encourage each other in God’s Word!

Life Group H.E.A.R. Journal: Proverbs 15-21

Life Group H.E.A.R. Journal

Weekly Reading: Proverbs 15-21

3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. - Proverbs 16:3

An easy, memorable way to learn how to read and process the Bible is through the H.E.A.R. journaling method. This process helps us read God’s Word with the goal of understanding it and applying it to our lives. The letters stand for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. 

• Highlight a scripture: Pick one verse (or pick a set of connected or related verses) from the Book of Proverbs. (Our church is scheduled to read one chapter per day. We’re covering chapters 15 through 21 this week.) Highlight this verse or write down the Book, chapter, and verse number.

• Explain the context: By asking some simple questions with the help of God’s Spirit, we can understand the meaning of a passage or verse. The following questions can help us understand the context of a passage: What’s happening in the story? Why was this written, and to whom? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? What does God intend to communicate through this text? 

• Apply it to your life: Application is the heart of the process! Answering a series of questions can help us uncover the meaning of these verses to us on a personal level. What is God saying to me? How can this help me? What does this mean today? How would applying this look in my life?

• Respond with action: This is the last part of the H.E.A.R. Journal. Your response to the passage may take on many forms. You may write a call to action. You can describe how you’ll be different because of what God said to you through His Word. You may indicate what you’re going to do because of what you have learned. You can even respond by writing out a prayer to God.

This week, you can share something from your own reading. If you need to read, you can start with the chapter in Proverbs that matches today’s date. We’ll write our responses and share them with our group. (If you journal some other way, feel free to do that!) Pay special to the Apply and Respond steps; that’s where God’s Word comes to life! 

Let’s encourage each other in God’s Word!

I Want More!

Main Thought

It’s easy to be enticed by everything the world has to offer. Some things might make us feel good or look good. We may want to have things or do things that cause people (including ourselves) to see us in a better light. Interacting with the world’s temporary, fleeting pleasures inappropriately creates problems. Sometimes, we overspend on things that end. We might also try to rely on temporary things and experiences to bring us fulfillment. But temporary things can only bring temporary happiness.

God created us to be satisfied by more. There’s a hole the size of eternity in our hearts, and only God can fill it. If we want Him to do that, then we need to turn our focus from the temporary to the timeless. We should seek God first, and store up treasures in Heaven. If we do those things, then we’ll eventually discover that living for things that last will produce a satisfaction that lasts.

Main Passages

Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread.

- Proverbs 12:9

One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

- Proverbs 13:7

11He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.

- Ecclesiastes 3:11, AMP

19  “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where  moth and rust  destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

- Matthew 6:19-21

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or main Passages above?

2. Think about a deeply satisfying experience that you’ve had. What made the experience satisfying? What can that moment teach us about living for eternity?

3. What’s one thing you can do to “turn your attention from the temporary to the timeless,” and live with eternity in mind?

Trust in the Lord: More than a Motto

Main Thought

“Trusting God” should be more than just a motto or a cliché. Trusting God is a defining characteristic of the Christian life. God’s absolute power and love should give us the assurance we need to trust Him absolutely. Wisdom outside of God is limited, but God knows what’s around each corner. He sees the future that we can’t see. We should trust Him by moving forward through life as He leads us. Trusting God doesn’t result in us sitting around, doing nothing. Trusting God moves us to passionately and proactively walk by faith. Clarity and assurance come when we do.

Main Passages

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

- Proverbs 3:1-4

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

- Proverbs 3:5-10

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

- Psalm 28:7

Discussion Questions

1. What are some common misconceptions people have about what it means to trust in God?

2. Name one or two things that inspire you to trust in God.

3. What’s one thing you can do to trust God and walk by faith this week?

The Miracle of We

Main Thought

There are only two miracles included by all four gospel writers: the Resurrection of Christ and the feeding of the 5,000. What can we learn from the miracle of Jesus feeding the great multitude? Here’s one thing: we can learn about the environment and the events that produce a miracle. So many people want a miracle, whether it be a small one or a big one. But miracles can only take place when there is a need for one. Then, if a miracle is going to happen, we often need to prepare for it. We must prepare ourselves and our situation to properly steward anything God gives us. Next, something unexpected happens: Jesus takes. Jesus took the boy’s lunch. In a similar way, Jesus may want to take something from us. This might include our pride, our sin, our energy, our time, finances, our ideal future, our finances, and so much more. Though it might be hard to let go of these things, we can trust in God’s wisdom, power, and love when we do. It’s only after we hand over “our loaf” to Jesus that He does a miracle. Jesus does miracles while we sit at His feet. We need to rest in Him. Resting in God (or waiting on Him) means that we actively steward the things we’re responsible for to the best of our ability - then, trust God with everything else. We do our best and then trust God with the rest. If we’re willing to take these difficult steps, we help create an environment where miracles can happen in our midst.

Main Passages

5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” 8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

- John 6:5-9

10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

- John 6:10-13

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

- Lamentations 3:22-23

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above?

2. Why does Jesus “take our loaves”? Why does He often require us to lay down things that are near and dear to us? (See also: Luke 19:23; Luke 14:27; Matthew 4:19-20; Hebrews 12:1-2, etc.)

3. What “loaf” do you need to give God before sitting at His feet?

Being “We” in Digital Babylon

Main Thought

The two greatest commandments are to love God and to love other people. If the Church is categorized by love - by relationship - then the Enemy will do everything in his power to oppose meaningful connection. This is why Pastor John Mark Comer said, “If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy.” How should God’s people behave differently than a culture that has become a “digital Babylon?” We can start by being set apart: fully Human, and fully His. We shouldn’t outsource our humanity by relying on devices to replace our thoughts, feelings, and the excitement that comes from connecting authentically. We can also be useful to God and His Kingdom by serving Him together. This process allows us to bond while building together. An attitude of readiness keeps our eyes outward, looking for opportunities to bring people further into the family of God. These things can help us fight the cultural current and fulfill God’s greatest commandments.

Main Passages

"Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”

- 2 Timothy 2:20-21

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

- 2 Timothy 2:22

“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will."

- 2 Timothy 2:23-26

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above?

2. Pastor Neli Atiga presented three keys to “being ‘we’” in a highly digital culture. Which one of them stood out most to you? As a reminder, they were:

   1. Set apart: fully Human, fully His.

   2. Useful: vessels for the Master of the household.

   3. Ready: for every good work.

3. What’s one thing you can do, outside of your normal circles and routines, to connect with someone authentically for God’s Kingdom this week?

The Stewardship of We

Main Thought

God has given us so much. He’s given us life, time, relationships, talent, finances, and more. What will we do with the things God has given us? That question lies at the heart of stewardship. We become good stewards when we remember that everything comes from, and belongs to, God. If we see God’s sovereignty and ownership in all things, then we’ll see that it’s important to embrace our responsibility. We’ll live knowing that we’ll eventually give an account to God for the way we stewarded His gifts and opportunities. This shouldn’t be a reason for believers to live in fear. It should be a reason for believers to live in faith. We can expect God’s reward for faithful stewardship. He often rewards us on the earth; and, even when He doesn’t, He will recognize us and reward us in eternity.

Main Passages

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;

- Psalm 24:1

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

- Matthew 25:14-19

20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

- Matthew 25:20-23

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above?

2. Why do you think God entrusts us with our lives, opportunities, talents, finances, and more?

3. What’s one thing you can steward better (more intentionally, more consistently, more sacrificially, etc.) with honoring God in mind?