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Small Group Discussion
Read Luke 2:36-38
What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
Breakout
Pray for one another.
See: Lev 12:4, 6, 8
See Isaiah 42:1,6-7 | Isaiah 49:5-6
Acts 17:30 - The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent...
1 John 3:23 - And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ
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Small Group Discussion
Read Luke 2:22-35
What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
Have you ever felt so unclean or so unworthy that you thought God could not possibly have anything to do with you? Does the knowledge that Jesus makes everyone He touches clean and holy change your perspective?
Share an example of a time you waited on or cried out to God – did you focus on your circumstances, or on His promises and His Holy Spirit? If you are going through trying circumstances now, how can knowing His Word and listening for the Holy Spirit’s counsel give you hope?
Have you repented and believed in Jesus for salvation?
Consider this statement: “Salvation requires obedience” (See Acts 17:30 and 1 John 3:23). Discuss.
Breakout
Pray for one another.
Colossians 1:18 - And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent...
Proverbs 2:3-5 - ...if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
Matthew 1:21 - She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator;
If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist;
If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist;
If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer;
But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.
Mark 2:17 - "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."
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Small Group Discussion
Read Luke 2:1-21
What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
In what ways have you made Jesus a priority in your life? Have you been guilty of giving Him leftovers? If so, what changes do you need to make?
Why do you think God chose the shepherds to give the big birth announcement to?
How would you explain to a non-believer what it means to “seek the Lord”?
Breakout
Pray for one another.
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
Luke 2:14 - "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
Romans 5:1, 10 - Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Philippians 4:6-7 - do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Romans 16:20 - The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
Romans 12:18 - If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
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Small Group Discussion
Read Isaiah 9:6
What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
Give a Biblical definition of peace. What does the Bible mean when God speaks of peace?
Explain how the peace Jesus gives is different from the peace the world gives (John 14:27).
Tell of a time you experienced the “peace that passes understanding” during a personal crisis (Philippians 4:6-7). How would you encourage another believer to experience this during their crisis?
Breakout
Pray for one another.
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
Luke 2:25-32 - ...waiting for the consolation of Israel...
...revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
...my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
John 8:56-58 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."
Hebrews 1:2-3 - ...the exact imprint of his nature"
Colossians 1:15-19 - in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell...
...you do know him and have seen him."
John 14:6-10 - Whoever has seen me has seen the Father."
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Small Group Discussion
Read Isaiah 9:6
What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
Do you think of Jesus as eternal? How has your understanding of Jesus’ eternality increased as you have matured in Him?
If available, read different translations of Isaiah 9:6 (HBC uses the English Standard Version, or ESV). How do those translations differ, if at all? How does the present tense of the verb “to be” (used in the Hebrew text) affect your understanding of Jesus?
In what ways are we helped by knowing Jesus is “the exact imprint” of God? How does that affect your understanding of God?
What are ways Jesus models God the Father for us?
If you do not or did not have a positive relationship with your earthly father, how can Jesus as your everlasting father transform and satisfy your need for that essential relationship?
Breakout
Pray that Jesus will reveal Himself to you as your everlasting father.
