Celebrate!--Lesson 5--God's Small Way is the Big Way!--Luke 2:1-20

Discussion Questions:

1.  Tell of a time recently when you didn’t want to participate in something but were pleasantly surprised and encouraged by attending.  Why is our attitude or motivation often easily persuaded by what is happening in the moment?

2.  Living in a world with broken and selfish exhibitions of power, how has Jesus’ model benefitted you in your daily living?  How does one balance living according to Jesus’ model of humble and servant uses of power in a world that might take advantage of that?

3.  Why do you suppose with God being sovereign, He would choose for Mary to give birth away from home and with such poor conditions and little help?  How do you respond when God chooses a tougher path for you to take than what you envisioned?  What keeps you motivated to carry on when it feels like you are getting the chaff pounded out of you?

4.  Does God always reveal the purpose or meaning behind the trials and struggles we encounter?  Where do you turn or what do you do when you can’t figure out the purpose or meaning behind what God is allowing into your life?

5.  Why is it important that all of God’s promises are “YES” in Jesus?  How well do you share God’s “YES” with the people around you?  What could you do to improve in passing this on?

Celebrate--Lesson 4--Prepare the Way--Luke 1:57-80

Discussion Questions:

1.  Tell of the difference you experience when you come to worship prepared versus just going through the motions.  What are some ways you can be better prepared for the work of God in your daily living?  What kinds of things distract you from preparing?

2.  How do the teachings of God help you look ahead?  Why is it better to look ahead than to merely focus upon the moment?  How can looking back at God’s promises and how they have been fulfilled help you to look ahead with peace and hope?

3.  How have people rained on your parade as you have walked with the LORD?  What role does unpreparedness play in falling into being one who rains on parades?

4.  How much struggle do you have when things are changed from the status quo?  How much trouble do you think you would have had with John’s strange ways and his message?

5.  What peace do you find in the sunrise and the removal of the shadow of death?  Do you struggle with fear of darkness and death?  What kinds of things block the light in those areas?

6.  How has the message from the sermon this week helped you to prepare for celebration and worship throughout the week?  What other preparation will you need so you can maintain the ability to worship and celebrate through the course of your busy week?

Celebrate--Lesson 3--A Reason to Leap with Joy--Luke 1:39-56

Discussion Questions:

1.  What kinds of things have happened this past week that give you reason to worship and celebrate God?  What kinds of things have tried to dissuade you from focusing upon these things?

2.  How have you seen community (church family) be a place like what Mary probably faced in Nazareth?  How have you seen community provide reception and safety like what Mary received from her visit to Elizabeth?

3.  When you are dealing with times of fear, discouragement, or other painful things, how have words of blessing, wonder, affirmation, joy, and recognition helped you cope better?  What kinds of things help you to grow in your abilities to provide these things for others?

4.  Mary reflects upon the long history of God’s promise keeping and provision to bring about the plans He has for the good of His people to have a “I knew You were coming” moment.  How does her reflection of these things stir your soul and help you to have your own “I knew You were coming” moment even in dire circumstances?

5.  How sad is it that Zechariah couldn’t participate in the rejoicing and celebrating when Mary showed up at his door?  How encouraging is it that God continued to write chapters in his life that opened the door for his own praise, worship and celebration?  How does this help you to see how God has more planned for your own life?