The Promise Fulfilled

Main Thought

The promise of the coming Messiah began in the Garden of Eden. God used prophets like Isaiah to remind the world of His promise. There was a space between the spoken promise and the fulfillment of it. This delay wasn’t a denial; it was an opportunity for hope to be released and grow. When Jesus came, He did not merely announce peace. He embodied it by revealing truth and grace in full measure. The transformation described in Isaiah - hostility replaced by harmony, fear replaced by trust - reveals the depth of peace Jesus brings. This peace begins in human hearts and will ultimately reshape all creation. Yet the peace God offers must be received in order to be experienced. We receive God’s peace when we believe in Jesus. We can grow in peace when we grow in God.

Main Passages

“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.”

- Isaiah 11:2–3

“With righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth… Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. The wolf will live with the lamb… and a little child will lead them… The infant will play near the cobra’s den.”

- Isaiah 11:4–8

“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.’”

- Luke 2:10–11

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think God often allows time to pass between when a promise is spoken and when it is fulfilled?

2. Isaiah describes peace in radical terms—natural enemies living together. What does that reveal about the kind of peace Jesus brings?

3. How does knowing that Jesus fulfilled God’s promise of peace shape how you approach conflict, fear, or uncertainty today?

The Promise of God's Presence

Main Thought

It’s practically a Christmas tradition to read or hear Isaiah 7:14. God promised to send His Son when the southern kingdom of Judah was at war. The chaos and confusion of this context can correspond to the chaos and confusion we face in our lives. Our immediate needs might not be met on this side of heaven. That isn’t what Jesus came to do. Jesus came to meet our greatest need: freedom from sin, the cause of evil and death. Jesus met this need by dying for us, then rising again to prove everything He said was true. Presently, God is transforming the world by transforming the hearts of people. He’ll meet every need in eternity. 

What are we supposed to do in the meantime? We can unwrap the present of God’s presence. God wants to be with us in our trials. We can feel His faithful love, His resilient joy, and His peace that passes all understanding. It’s simple, like unwrapping a gift. We seek God by faith and take simple steps to experience Him. God’s presence can be like a gift that we experience in every season and situation. 

Main Passages

'Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.'

- Isaiah 7:14, ESV

'“...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). '

- Matthew 1:20b-23, ESV

'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. Why did God choose to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth? Why did Immanuel (a title, not a literal name) come to “be with us”?

2. Have you - or has someone you know - ever experienced God’s presence while persevering through difficulty? How did it make a difference?

3. What actions or attitudes make it hard for you to feel or experience the presence of God? What simple steps of faith allow you to experience God’s presence?

Hold On — The Promise Is Still Alive

Main Thought

The people of Israel lived through centuries of waiting before the Messiah came. Many of us know what it feels like to walk through seasons of silence and delay. We might feel like we’re waiting in the dark because we can’t see if or when our breakthrough will come. Yet darkness cannot cancel a promise if it has been spoken by God. The coming of Jesus Christ proves this. Jesus came at the appointed time - but He arrived in a way that no one expected. Jesus wasn’t wrapped in royalty, but in humility. God often wraps His greatest presents in humble packages. We need to be ready and willing to receive them. Faithful waiting puts us in a position to see God move. Simeon waited faithfully; he served actively, and watched for the Messiah with expectation. Waiting can be frustrating, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to grow in love for God and faith in Him. Christmas reminds us that God is faithful. Faithful waiting isn’t wasted when we wait on God.

Main Passages

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”’

- ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭25‬-‭32‬ ‭NIV

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” ‭‭

- Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” - ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think God sent Jesus to be born in a manger, and not in a palace? What can we learn about God’s character and His ways from this fact?

2. Sometimes, God makes promises. At other times, we might make a request or a wish. Our requests may or may not align with God’s promises. How can we discern the difference between God’s promises and our desires?

3. The Bible teaches us that waiting on God is about passionate activity, and not passive inactivity. Is there a promise from God that you’re waiting on? What are you currently doing to position yourself to receive God’s promises?

A Promise in Motion

Main Thought

God is faithful to His promises, and Christmas is the proof. Throughout the Old Testament, God’s people waited generation after generation for Him to act on His covenant promises. He promised to bless His people, multiply them, and - most importantly - to save them. The coming of the Messiah proved that God’s plans were already in motion. He intervened in history out of steadfast love, fulfilling what He declared long before. The birth of Christ shows that God’s timing is perfect, His mercy is intentional, and His covenant love never fails. We can trust God because He has already proven Himself faithful.

Main Passages

1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. 2 The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. 4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

- Psalm 98:1-4

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

- Luke 2:11-14

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).

- Matthew 1:22-23

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever seen a promise broken? How did that shape your understanding of trust?

2. Why are promises (especially God’s promises) so meaningful to us?

3. How does knowing that God kept His greatest promise in Jesus bring you healing, freedom, or inspiration for life?