"What Christmas is All About" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is a time of great joy. We often find this joy in bright lights, food, and presents. These things can be great. They can also distract us from the true meaning of Christmas. We celebrate Christmas to remember the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to earth and revealed Himself humbly as an infant. If we want to experience His love and joy, then we need to seek Him with humble hearts.

Main Passages

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 
- Luke 2:1-7

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 
- Luke 2:10-14

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think we often miss the real meaning of celebrating Christmas?

2. Why do you think God often works in smaller, humbler ways than we expect?

3. What’s one practical thing you can do to humbly seek God?

Family Questions

1. What can we do to think about Jesus on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Christ and A Christmas Carol

Main Thought

Christmas can signal the appearance of great things! We might put up our decorations, see family and friends, or get the gifts we want. But that doesn’t mean our troubles disappear. Trials and tribulations continue through the holidays. Regardless of what’s happening around us, Christmas should always remind us of God’s love for us. Jesus came to earth so that we could be in relationship with Him on earth and for eternity. Remembering this “good news” gives us an opportunity to reflect on that state of our hearts, and realign them with God’s heart.

Main Passages

46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

- Luke 1:46-55

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

- John 3:16

Discussion Questions

1. Does anything stand out to you in The Magnificat, Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55?

2. From the Magnificat , we can observe three things that are on God’s heart. 

   1. God wants us to be in relationship with Him.

   2. God wants us to connect with others (in whatever way possible, given the constraints of this season).

   3. God wants us to demonstrate care for others practically.

Which of these three things are easiest for you? Which, if any, are hardest for you?

3. How can you take action to align yourself with God’s heart this Christmas?

Family Questions

1. What makes God happy? What can you do to make God happy?

"For All Who Truly Believe" Discussion Guide

Warm-Up

How have you seen God working in and through your life this past week? Please share your “God Moments” or testimonies!

Main Thought

On Christmas Eve, hopeful children across the world scan the sky and their living rooms for a glimpse of Santa. That is a reminder of the importance of believing in the unseen. God calls us to have that same kind of childlike innocence and faith as we believe in the unseen. He is at work even when we can’t see Him doing it. The appearance of Jesus is an example of this. Prior to the coming of Christ, God was preparing the world for Him. We can live and act in faith, knowing that God is at work behind the scenes.

Main Passages

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. - Isaiah 9:2

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 18:3

Discussion Questions

1. Which one of the descriptors for Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 resonates with you most? 

2. Why do you think we have lost a sense of God working in our everyday lives?

3. Is there an action you feel called to take in faith based on the idea that God is working even when we can’t see Him doing it?

Family Questions

1. What kind of things are real, even though we can’t see them?

"The Miracle of the Incarnation" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

God wants to reveal Himself to the world! He’s the source of life, light, and love. He wants us to experience those things in Him. But the world we live in is a dark place. We get lost or hurt, and it can be hard to accept God’s light when we’re accustomed to darkness. That’s why Jesus, who is God the Son, took on flesh and entered into the world He created. This is called “the Incarnation.” By becoming flesh, Jesus was able to perfectly fulfill God’s law and become the perfect sacrifice for sin in our place. Jesus also teaches us to relate to God through grace and truth. Grace refers to God’s unearned favor toward us. Truth compels us to be honest about our failures, repent, and come to God with nothing hidden. We experience grace and truth from God; then, we can extend grace and truth to others as well.

Main Passages

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome (or understood) it. 
- John 1:1-5

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- John 1:14

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
- John 1:17-18

Discussion Questions

1. How would you explain “the Incarnation?” Why do you think it’s important?

2. Do you see grace and truth at work in your relationship with God? How can you experience more of it?

3. Who can you extend grace and truth to in this holiday season? (Example: Maybe you can find a way to help someone practically, then share your faith or an invitation to Church with them.)

Family Question

1. Did you know that we celebrate Christmas to remember the birth of Jesus? What can we do to think of Jesus this Christmas?