Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Opening: What is your favorite Christmas Day memory from when you were a child? An adult?

Scripture: Read Luke 2:8-20.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• Of all the people the angels could have visited, why did God send them to the shepherds? How does that relate to Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55?
• God appeared to Zechariah, Mary, and the shepherds when they were just being themselves. What does that imply about what it means to be "spiritual"? How has God spoken to you in the ordinary flow of life?
• What precious event has God done that you "treasure in your heart"?

Prayer Focus: That our lives would be songs of praise for the coming Christ child.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Opening: When does your Christmas tree go up? Who trims it? How? What other traditions do you observe from your childhood?

Scripture: Read Luke 2:1-7.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• Re-read Luke 1:30-35. In light of these promises, how might Mary feel as she awaits delivery in a stable? How does this tie into God’s plan (see Micah 5:2)?
• How did God take your “hopeless situation” and use it for good? What does that teach you?
• What areas in your life still have a “No Vacancy” sign for Jesus?

Prayer Focus: That we would open up a place for the Christ Child in our hearts.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Opening: How did you (or would you) celebrate the birth of your first child?

Scripture: Read Luke 1:57-80.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• Think about a time when you, like Zechariah, took a step of faith and began speaking, praising God.
• Of the promises listed in Zechariah’s song (verses 67-79), which one means the most to you? Why?
• How has God unfolded his plan of salvation in your life? Who helped prepare the way? What were some key events that led you to your commitment to Jesus? Write a verse of praise to God using the special events from your own spiritual journey.

Prayer Focus: That we would, like John, “prepare the way for the Lord” for people who have yet to meet Him.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Opening: What is your favorite tradition related to Christmas?

Scripture: Sunday’s message comes from today’s text. Read Amos 5:21-24; Matthew 2:1-12; 6:21.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• Amos is difficult to read during this Christmas season, especially if we equate “religious festivals” to Christmas. What do you think he really means? How does verse 24 guide your thoughts?
• In your journey toward God, how are you like the Magi? Unlike them? Have you had to leave anything to follow Jesus?
• What is the “gold, incense, and myrrh” in your life? What is your treasure (see Matthew 6:21)? How have you offered this to Jesus?

Prayer Focus: For tomorrow’s worship celebration, that our worship would be true and sincerely, and that we would seek justice and righteous living.

Message Series: “A Different Kind of Christmas”

Tomorrow’s Message Title: “By A Different Road”

Friday, December 21, 2012

Opening: Whom do you call first when you have good news to share?

Scripture: Read Luke 1:39-56.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• How might Mary have felt when Elizabeth greeted her? How is she “blessed” and encouraged?
• How is Mary’s faith an example to you?
• Mary’s song of praise in verses 46–55 traditionally has been called the “Magnificat,” a title derived from the opening word (magnificat=magnifies) in the Latin Vulgate translation. The Magnificat is the first of three hymns in Luke 1–2, the other two being the “Benedictus” (see Luke 1:67–79) and the “Nunc Dimittis” (see Luke 2:28–32).

Prayer Focus: That our hearts, minds, souls, words, actions – everything in us – would magnify and praise our God.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Opening: What is a recent surprise your family has experienced: A job promotion? A new addition to the family? Your child earned all “A’s”?

Scripture: Read Luke 1:26-38.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• What would it mean to doubt and fear God? When were you recently fearful but believing? How did God meet you?
• In what area of your life do you need to believe that nothing is impossible with God? What keeps you from believing this?

Prayer Focus: That we would be like Mary, willing to do whatever the Lord asks of us.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Opening: If told you (or your parents) were to have a child this year, how would you react?

Scripture: Read Luke 1:5-25.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• Of the major characters in this story - Zechariah, Elizabeth, John - with whom do you most identify? Why? With whom do you identify least? Why?
• When was the last time you doubted God? What caused your doubt?
• Consider Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s character (verse 6) and struggle (verse 7). When have you been obedient to God and still felt forgotten? What does this story tell you?
• Reread verses 14-17. How is John’s mission a model for your mission today? How might you “prepare” people for the Lord?

Prayer Focus: That we would 21^st century John the Baptists, “great in the sight of the Lord” and “leading people to God.”