Did Jesus Find You?

Introduction:

Two Signs that Jesus is Pursuing You (Luke 2:12):

1. Wrapped in swaddling cloths = Why He came: He has come to Die.


2. Lying in a manger = How He came: He has come in Humility.

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Luke 2:1-20

1. What distractions keep you from seeking Christ as you should?

2. What is the biggest way Jesus changed you when you found Him?

3. What was your big "take-away" from this passage / message? What did you learn that you didn't know before?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another to continually be seekers of Christ. 

Did You Find Jesus?

Introduction:

What's True About People Who Find Jesus:

1. They made Room for Jesus. (Luke 2:1-7)



inn = kataluma

Mark 14:14 - and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' = guest chamber

2. They Actively went after Jesus. (Luke 2:8-16)



Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound

1 Corinthians 1:27 - But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong



3. They are never the Same. (Luke 2:17-20)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Luke 2:1-20

1. What distractions keep you from seeking Christ as you should?

2. What is the biggest way Jesus changed you when you found Him?

3. What was your big "take-away" from this passage / message? What did you learn that you didn't know before?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another to continually be seekers of Christ. 

A Biblical Response to Tragedy.

How to View a Tragedy, According to Jesus.

1. Tragedy can happen to Anyone.



2. Tragedy is always Unexpected.



3. Tragedy is a wake-up call for the Living.



Review: Eccl 7:2 | John 3:16



4. Tragedy is a reminder to the Church for Urgency.

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Luke 13:1-5

1. What do you typically say when people ask your opinion about events like the shooting in Orlando?

2. How did Jesus respond when asked about a similar massacre (Luke 13:1-3)? Why did He also mention the "tower in Siloam" incident (Luke 13:4)? Why is His response to the tower scene exactly the same as the Pilate scene (compare Luke 13:3 and Luke 13:5)?

3. *Imagine a similar tragedy happening in the Pittsburgh area. For discussion's sake, let's say a "gentlemen's club" downtown experiences a shooting that kills many people. Describe specifically how we as a church should respond. 

Breakout Questions:

1. Personally and as a small group, what should your response be to tragedy, according to Jesus? Have a plan now for when it happens!

How to Have the Best Christmas Ever, the Shepherd Way

1. LISTEN Up! Be ready to respond to God's Word. (Luke 2:8-16)

Three Levels of Belief:
• Knowing the information
• Agreeing with the information
• Acting on the information

How to Act Upon Your Faith:
• REPENT
• RECEIVE
• REACT


2. SPEAK Up! People need to hear what you know about Jesus. (Luke 2:17-18)


3. LOOK Up! Seeing God at work changes you! (Luke 2:19-20)

North Street Christian Church - Christmas Eve Service

Sermon Notes (PDF): (no notes)
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Luke 2:8-20

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

Jesus Over Hard Hearts

4 Steps to Restoring a Hard Heart: Step 1. Yield to the AUTHORITYof Jesus Christ. (Luke 6:5)

Step 2. Find REST and RESTORATION in the authority of Jesus Christ. (Luke 6:9-10)

Step 3. Seek FORGIVENESS for your CRITICAL SPIRIT. (Luke 6:11)

Solution to a Critical Spirit:








Step 4. Forgive your CRITICS . (Luke 6:2, 7)

Guest Speaker - Luke Ahrens

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Luke 6:1-11

1. Have you found freedom in fully yielding to the authority of Jesus Christ in every area of your life?
    
2. Where do you struggle with Hardness of Heart?
    
3. Discuss the Solutions to a Critical Spirit:
   1. Do you set your expectations based on God's Word?
   2. Do you discuss your expectations mutually with those close to you?
   3. Have you yielded your expectations to God?
       
4. Who do you need to go to and seek forgiveness from regarding your critical spirit?
    
5. Who has hurt you with a critical spirit? Have you forgiven them in Christ?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another.