Monday, December 10, 2012

Opening: What is your favorite “feast” – not just a favorite food item, but an entire meal of items that makes your mouth water?

Scripture: Read Isaiah 25:1-9.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• What are the wonderful things God planned long ago for you? Can you list them?
• Reread verse 4 with this question in mind: in what ways did Jesus fulfill this verse? Think of specific incidences in the Gospels.
• In verse 6, Isaiah talks about God's great Messianic feast, where all the people of the world – Gentiles and Jews together – will celebrate as God overthrows evil and they experience the joy of eternity with God.
• Part of verse 8 is quoted in 1 Corinthians 15:54 to describe Christ's victory over death. God's ultimate victory is seen when death, our ultimate enemy, is defeated. Another part of this verse is quoted in Revelation 21:4, which describes the glorious scene of God's presence with his people. How do you feel about this promise? Do you know for certainty your death will be overcome in victory? Do you know someone who needs this assurance?

Prayer Focus: That we would declare, “This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the LORD, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!”[1]

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[1] Isaiah 25:9 (NLT)

Sunday, December 09, 2012

Opening: What is your favorite “It will never happen phrase”? You know, like “when pigs fly.” What others do you know?

Scripture: Read Isaiah 11:1-16.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• Look through today’s passage. What characteristics does Isaiah describe that fit Jesus?
• What are the things you know God wants you to change in your life that you think will never happen? How do you feel when God promises that “the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat… the baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra…”?[1]
• Verse 11 talks about God bringing back a remnant. If He promises to bring this remnant back, then it stands to reason that He knows where they are. Not matter what situation you are in or place you find yourself, God knows where you are. He is still the “banner of salvation” (see verse 10).

Prayer Focus: That we would “delight in obeying the LORD”, “not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay” and “give justice to the poor.” (From Isaiah 11:3-4, NLT)

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[1] Isaiah 11:6-8 (NLT)

Saturday, December 08, 2012

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

Scripture: Sunday’s message comes from today’s text. 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: For tomorrow’s worship celebration, and that we would be willing to put aside the trivial, frivolous, and commercial, and reclaim the true meaning of Christmas.

Message Series: “A Different Kind of Christmas”

Tomorrow’s Message Title: “Giving Up on Perfect“

Friday, December 07, 2012

Opening: Have you ever listened to a choir singing Handel’s “Messiah” (and more than just the “Hallelujah Chorus.”) Have you ever sung it? (Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4hkwhOiD98 to listen today’s passage from “The Messiah.”)

Scripture: Read Isaiah 9:2-8.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• Have you had a realization that you once were in darkness, but then saw the light; was “once blind, but now I see.”?[1]
• Verse 6 is a famous and beautiful section of this passage. When describing the Messiah, Isaiah says he will be called.
• “Wonderful Counselor”: A counselor is one who is able to make wise plans (see Isaiah 11:2). He is a ruler whose wisdom is beyond merely human capabilities, unlike intelligent but foolish Ahaz of Israel.
• “Mighty God”: A title of the Lord himself.
• “Everlasting Father”: A father here is a benevolent protector, which is the task of the ideal king and is also the way God himself cares for his people. This is not using the Trinitarian title “Father” for the Messiah; rather, it is portraying him as a king.
• “Prince of Peace”: He is the ruler whose reign will bring about peace, wholeness, and well-being to individuals and nations.
• Which one of these roles do you need most from Jesus today?

Prayer Focus: That the zeal of the Lord (verse 7) would accomplish great things in our lives?

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[1] John Newton, “Amazing Grace.”

Thursday, December 06, 2012

Opening: If you were asked to begin a weekly small group that met to grow in the faith, which twelve people would you ask to join you?

Scripture: Read Romans 16:1-27.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• Ok, this is kind of a boring reading today. You most likely didn't know a single name, or else you have heard of a few, but don’t know much about them. You might consider looking up names in a Bible Dictionary or go to http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/eastons-bible-dictionary/.
• What are some of the teachings that divide the church today? How do you work for a balance between the desire for unity and the desire to maintain truth?[1]
• What area or circumstance in your life do you need the God of peace to crush (see verse 20)?

Prayer Focus: That everyone will know of our obedience to God (see verse 19).

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[1] Recently on "CBS This Morning," Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church and author of “Purpose Driven Life” said, "The problem is that tolerant has changed its meaning. It used to mean 'I may disagree with you completely, but I will treat you with respect. Today, tolerant means – 'you must approve of everything I do.' There's a difference between tolerance and approval. Jesus accepted everyone no matter who they were. He doesn't approve of everything I do, or you do, or anybody else does either. You can be accepting without being approving."

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

Opening: Where have you always wanted to travel? Why?

Scripture: Read Romans 15:23-33.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• We talked about Paul’s journey to Jerusalem with the gifts from the Macedonia Churches during our “Living Sacrifices” message series. And we know from our study of the book of Acts that Paul was arrested in Jerusalem. He eventually got to Rome, albeit in chains.
• Paul urges the Romans to pray for him. Who are you praying for? Who needs your prayers?

Prayer Focus: That we would struggle in prayer for missionaries, preachers, and outreach ministries.

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Opening: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Scripture: Read Romans 15:14-22.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• Paul tells his Roman readers they are “full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them.”[1] How would you grade yourself in goodness, knowledge of the faith, and ability to instruct or disciple others? Are there ways to improve?
• Looking over your schedule and priorities this past month, what would you say is your ambition in life? Is that what you want it to be? How do your ambitions compare with Paul’s in terms of clarity? Value? Concern for God’s kingdom?
• In verse 21, Paul quotes Isaiah 52:15 how those who have not been told will see and those who have not heard will understand. This is a big difference from the call of Isaiah in Isaiah 6:8-9. Why might there be a greater receptivity now? Read Isaiah 52:13.

Prayer Focus: That God be “satisfied with who you are and what you are doing. You seem to me to be well-motivated and well-instructed, quite capable of guiding and advising one another.”[2]

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[1] Romans 15:14 (NLT)

[2] Romans 15:14 (MSG)