Scripture Reading: Ruth 1:1-22
Christmas Eve Service
Seeking Jesus - The Wise Men
Scripture Reading: Matt 2:1-12
Key Thought: The Wise Men brought him gifts - what will you give him?
Is God limited to speaking in any way? Think of some examples of how God speaks?
Why would Matthew Focus on the East?
How did the Wise Men know about Jesus?
What did the Wise men know about the birth of Jesus?
What might we say of the Wise Men’s spiritual character?
i.) Do we have the same kind of character?
What do the Wise Men do for Jesus?
What are the gifts they bring?
What gift will you bring?
Seeking Jesus - The Shepherds
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-14
What is the big deal about these shepherds?
Why are they important?
What have i missed over the years by taking this story for granted?
What is this story asking of me?
Seeking Jesus - Simeon
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:21-35
Key Thought: The Spirit of God is still moving men and women toward Jesus.
In this text, how does Luke show us that Mary and Joseph are good people?
If Luke were writing about you, what would he do to show you were a godly person?
What is it that we note about the major characters in the Christmas Stores of Luke chapters 1&2?
What do we learn about Mary from the sacrifices she makes?
What does Luke note about Simeon’s character?
What do we know about the activity of the Spirit in Simron’s life?
What is the Promise that Simeon receives?
What is the lesson for us?
Seeking Jesus - Herod
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-18
Key Thought: Herod is not the only one who wants to kill the King.
In what ways was Herod famous?
In what ways do we see Herod as clever?
In what ways do we see Herod as brutal?
What is Herod’s title?
Why would “all” Jerusalem be concerned at the birth of Jesus?
What is Jesus’ title?
What does Herod plan to do?
In what ways is that happening today?
In our world?
In our church?
In our lives
Who’s the Baby?
Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
Key Thought: The key point is that Jesus is no ordinary baby: He is the Son of God, Son of David, Son of Man!!
What is unique about the patriarch’s wives in Genesis?
What does this show to us?
What is unique about the firstborn son in Genesis?
What do we learn from this?
What do we learn about the Baby from the prophet Isaiah?
What is the key issue in the genealogy in Matthew?
How does Matthew show us this?
What is the key issue in the gospel of Luke?
How does Luke show us this?
What is the key issue in the first 18 verses of the gospel of John?
What does all of this mean to us as believers?
Where's the Baby?
Scripture Reading: Genesis 3:1-19
Key Thought: From the very beginning God intended
When God created the humans, what did he say?
How would you describe their spiritual condition in chapters 1 and 2 of Genesis?
What happens in chapter 3 of Genesis?
How would you describe our live in light of Genesis 3?
What is the Promise of Genesis 3:15?
Why do we call this child a special child?
Is the Promise of the child ever fulfilled?
How does the work of this Child affect your life?
Sacrifice for the Kingdom: David and Jonathan (and Saul)
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 20
Confess Your Sins to One Another
Scripture Reading: James 5:7-20
Key Thought: We confess our sins to one another so that we can help one another become more like Jesus. We need wisdom from the Lord to become the kind of community that can do this well.
How can confessing our sins to one another disarm our shame and help us to grow as Christians?
What are some practical guidelines for confessing sin to another believer?
How can we become the kind of people who can be trusted with these confessions?