Icebreaker

Hamburgers or hotdogs?

Recap

Throughout the story of Christ’s arrival we see God’s goodness, favor, and joy. This week we see how His goodness in the coming of Christ extends to all people. His salvation is offered to all people. Sometimes we think about salvation as a one-time event or moment… and while that is true for our souls, it is not necessarily true for our day-to-day lives. Most of us recognize daily how we need God to save us from our flesh and His help to walk in step with Him. Where do you need Him today?

Scripture Reference

Luke 2

Focus Questions

1. Has anyone ever saved you from making a big mistake? Or saved you from yourself?
2. Has God ever been good to you? Can you give an example of how God has been good to you in simple ways? Can you give an example of how God has been good to you in a profound way?
3. What is “salvation”? How would you explain it to someone who has never heard of that term before? What is the purpose of salvation? What do we need saving from, and why is it important?
4. We know God alone is worthy, but did you know God sings this back to us – that He sees us as worthy of His love, His goodness, His leadership, and especially His saving? The question then is, do you believe that you are worthy of all of God’s love, all of His goodness, all of His leadership, and worthy of the complete and free gift of salvation He has for you? Are there thoughts or behaviors that convince you you’re not worthy of God’s goodness? What do you need to “do” to fix things so you can rest in the knowledge that you are, in fact, worthy of God’s gift of salvation? (Hint: Read Romans 6:23; Romans 8:32; Ephesians 2:8)
5. Read Ephesians 2:1-3. Paul is reminding us how desperate and helpless we were before God intervened in Christ. Read these verses from different Biblical translations. How are these words true of you? What is hard to accept? Why?
6. Read John 15:18-21. Why do you think the Bible says the world will hate you if you are a follower of Christ? Can you give examples of how, as a Christian, you might be tempted to feel unworthy or unwelcomed by the world? Have you experienced this first-hand? That feeling of sitting alone at the lunch table while everyone else around you is having fun simply because you choose to follow Christ? What does Jesus mean when He says you were chosen out of this world and that you no longer belong to it? How can we begin to understand that being uninvited or not welcomed by the world can mean that we are actually set apart for Jesus?
7. Temptation to sin will always be present in our current fallen world. The definition of sin can be overly simplified by explaining it is anything we do, say, or think that takes away from the glory of God. It’s easy to recognize the “Big Sins” (murder, adultery, criminal activity, addiction, etc.), but God does not categorize sin into “Big” and “Little” sins. What are some examples of “Little Sins” that can take our focus and attention away from glorifying God? Read Luke 22:40 and 1 Corinthians 10:13. What comfort and assurance can we take from these verses? Knowing that the temptation to sin will always be present, what can we do daily to help position ourselves to resist temptation? 

Is there anyone in your life you don’t like? Do you believe they deserve and are worthy of God’s salvation plan? Put their name at the forefront of your prayers this week and make a point of praying to see them as God sees them: worthy, loved, treasured. Ask the Lord to show you how you can share with others the free gift of salvation He has given you.