Wk 1 // December 7 & 8
Wk 1 // CHRISTMAS: THERE’S A BETTER WAY
December 7 & 8, 2024
Small Group Study
SERMON RECAP
Spend a few minutes recapping this week's sermon together.
Tap here to view the sermon notes.
INTRODUCTION
Christmas season is chaotic for many of us. It is so easy to focus on everything that has to be done. We are significantly prone to fixating on tradition for the sake of tradition; ignoring the most important things about this seasonal celebration. At Christmas time, just as every other time of year, God loves us enough to challenge us to a better way of doing life!
STUDY [tap on scripture to read]
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ Romans 12:1-2
All throughout the Old Testament (first half-ish) of the Bible, God challenges his people to look, act, and even celebrate… different from all the other groups around them. Although the context & circumstances my be different now that Jesus shows us the better way, the challenge remains the same. We are different because God calls us to that which he created us for!
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ Matthew 6:19-21
It is easy to act as if generosity is for those receiving it. Although that is not completely untrue, it is in fact only a fraction of the whole truth. God calls us to generosity in all walks of life so that he can pour out his blessings on us. As we open the floodgates of what he has trusted us with, he in turn trusts us with even more so that we may be a blessing to this broken world. As we experience God’s blessings, may we actively bless the world around us!
APPLICATION
PRAYER
Pray that God would remind you every day what it looks like for a follower of Jesus to celebrate Christmas.
December 7 & 8, 2024
Small Group Study
SERMON RECAP
Spend a few minutes recapping this week's sermon together.
Tap here to view the sermon notes.
- What was one takeaway from this week's sermon for you?
- Were there any stories, ideas, or points that stuck out?
- Was there anything that challenged you?
INTRODUCTION
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how is your Christmas shopping/preparation going?
- What is the strangest Christmas decoration you have to put up every year?
Christmas season is chaotic for many of us. It is so easy to focus on everything that has to be done. We are significantly prone to fixating on tradition for the sake of tradition; ignoring the most important things about this seasonal celebration. At Christmas time, just as every other time of year, God loves us enough to challenge us to a better way of doing life!
STUDY [tap on scripture to read]
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ Romans 12:1-2
- What is the “pattern of this world” when it comes to Christmas time?
- How is celebrating Christmas as a follower of Jesus supposed to be different?
All throughout the Old Testament (first half-ish) of the Bible, God challenges his people to look, act, and even celebrate… different from all the other groups around them. Although the context & circumstances my be different now that Jesus shows us the better way, the challenge remains the same. We are different because God calls us to that which he created us for!
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ Matthew 6:19-21
- Is commercialism & consumerism around Christmas time always contrary to God’s better way to do life? Why or why not?
- How can a follower of Jesus model these verses in the way we celebrate Christmas?
It is easy to act as if generosity is for those receiving it. Although that is not completely untrue, it is in fact only a fraction of the whole truth. God calls us to generosity in all walks of life so that he can pour out his blessings on us. As we open the floodgates of what he has trusted us with, he in turn trusts us with even more so that we may be a blessing to this broken world. As we experience God’s blessings, may we actively bless the world around us!
APPLICATION
- What is one specific thing you are going to do differently this year to celebrate Christmas closer to how Jesus would want you to celebrate it?
- What is one way you can focus more on being more generous this Christmas season?
PRAYER
Pray that God would remind you every day what it looks like for a follower of Jesus to celebrate Christmas.
