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Anti-Heroes

The Christmas story is one that is familiar to most all of us. From The Peanuts Christmas to Grandma’s nativity scene on the mantel, we’ve heard of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and everyone else every year for our whole life. Yet what’s so great about these characters?

In reality, it is an unlikely group of protagonists that make up the Christmas story. In fact, the ultimate hero of the Christmas Story (spoiler alert, it’s Jesus) is the most unlikely. You would never pick this guy, from this family, in this situation, in this moment of time, to save anyone – let alone to be the promised Messiah.

Throughout the month of December we will be taking a look at the characters of the Christmas story and how God uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways to bring about His sovereign plan of saving the world.

Wise Men: Holt Venue

December 29, 2019 / Matthew 2:1-12

Conversation with your Life Group:

  • Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Matthew 2:1-12. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?

  • The reactions from the Wise Men and King Herod were completely different. The former were overwhelmed with joy and the latter was “deeply disturbed.” When you hear about Jesus being a Savior/your Savior, what does that mean to you? Do you feel offended that you need saving? Why or why not?

  • The Wise Men were overwhelmed with joy, fell to their knees (in reverence), and worshiped Jesus – all of which are good and godly responses to the Son of God. In this upcoming New Year, what are some ways that you can practice having a “joyful reverent worshipful” response to Jesus at a daily, weekly, and/or monthly level?

  • The Wise Men were from the east – most likely coming from Persia. They were foreigners/Gentiles and yet, they came to worship Jesus as the saving Messiah. This shows us that God desires for all people – not just the Jewish people – to come and worship Jesus. Where are some spaces in your life that you can create organic relationships with people who differ from you ethnically? How can you invite people who don’t look like you, eat the same foods as you, etc. into your life?

  • A fun “exercise” you can do as the New Year approaches is to write down: 1) one thing you want to see the Lord do in your life this upcoming year and 2) one thing you want to do for the Lord this year. Save these papers in an envelope or in a box and revisit them in the next New Year with your Life Group.

Wise Men: REO Town Venue

December 29, 2019 / Matthew 2:1-12

Conversation with your Life Group:

  • Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Matthew 2:1-12, Numbers 24:17, 1 Corinthians 1:19-21, and Romans 1:20. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?

  • When you think of ‘the wise men’ involved in the Christmas story, what comes to mind? For instance, how many were there, when did they arrive, why were they even visiting Jesus?

  • Read Matthew 2:1-12 and consider how the magi/wise men were behaving wisely.

  • As you read Matthew’s account, in what ways was Herod’s response to the news of Jesus’ birth different (and damning) when compared to the response of the magi/wise men?

  • When you are presented with common grace and revelation, how do you typically respond… In action and worship (like the wise men) or in indifference and hostility (like Herod)?

Wise Men: Westside Venue

December 29, 2019 / Matthew 2:1-12

Conversation with your Life Group:

  • What stories have you heard about “the wise men” that you don’t find any evidence for in Matthew’s limited account?

  • King Herod was terrified of what King Jesus would mean for his life, are there any parts of your life where you are scared to let Jesus be king and lord?

  • The chief priests and scribes knew well the scriptures about the Messiah but didn’t go worship him, when you read the Bible does it feel academic, or does it cause you to worship Jesus?

  • The Magi are the earliest example of foreigners meeting and worshipping Jesus. There are now millions of followers and worshippers of Christ all over the world, how can we continue the expansion of the Gospel to all people? What can we do in our own community? What can we do in other parts of the world?

Shepherds: Holt Venue

December 22, 2019 / Luke 2

Conversation with your Life Group:

  • Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Luke 2:1-20 and John 10:1-15. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?

  • What has been your past experience and understanding of sheep and shepherding? What new insight have you gained that helps you better connect with the shepherding metaphor in the Bible?

  • Have you experienced a “wilderness” season in your life? Why was that experience such a challenge? Did God show up in an unexpected way? How did that experience cause you to trust God in a new way?

  • Besides the voice of Jesus, what are some of the other voices that you hear calling for you to follow? How can you distinguish the voice of Jesus in the midst of the many distractions of life?

  • In what situations are you tempted to trust yourself rather than trusting God? How can you grow in this area?

Shepherds: REO Town Venue

December 22, 2019 / Luke 2:1-20

Conversation with your Life Group:

  • Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Luke 2:1-20. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?

  • The levels of humility that are embedded in Jesus’ birth include: 1) God stepping down from heaven to earth and 2) Jesus being born in a manger, which is a feeding trough for farm animals. How often do you think about the incarnation of God onto earth? How does the reality of God becoming human affect the way you understand your faith?

  • The urgency of the shepherds sharing the message of Jesus’ birth was legitimate. They up and left from their fields and went to proclaim the Gospel. Do you feel a similar sense of urgency to proclaim the Gospel to the people in your life? Why or why not? What about our current culture in America prevents us or encourages us to proclaim the Gospel?

  • The shepherds were not able to bear witness in the courts because they were deemed as unreliable witnesses. But yet, God used these socially-viewed unreliable individuals to be the first people to proclaim the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. If you are willing to share, what are some habits or even reputations that you’ve had that the Gospel has changed in your life and how did that come about?

Shepherds: Westside Venue

December 22, 2019 / Luke 2:8-20, 1 Corinthians 1:27-28, Romans 10:14

Conversation with your Life Group:

  • Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Luke 2:8-20, 1 Corinthians 1:27-28, Romans 10:14. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?

  • What is something in your life that you enjoy or is meaningful to you? How do you find yourself telling others about it?

  • Reflect on the characteristics of the Shepherds. How does their inclusion in the Christmas story encourage you in your life as a Christian?

  • Read Luke 2:17. Who in your life shared the truth of Christ with you? What was your response?

  • Read Luke 2:20. How do you best “glorify and praise God” for what He has done in your life? Are there ways in your life you could do this to a greater degree? How can you do that this week as you celebrate Christmas?

Joseph

December 15, 2019 / Matthew 1

Conversation with your Life Group:

  • Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Matthew 1. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?

  • Have you ever, like Joseph, received news that changed the trajectory of your life? What was it? How did you respond?

  • What was true about Joseph that made it difficult for the people of his time to believe that his son Jesus might be the Messiah? What reasons do people in our time have to have the same doubts?

  • How does the fact that God has fulfilled so many promises and prophecies in the past concerning the birth of Jesus affect your level of trust that He’ll keep His promises going forward?

  • Do you believe God speaks to us today primarily through the wisdom of His word? If yes, what holds you back from doing a deeper dive into the Bible? What specific step would help you grow in this area?

Faith Over Fear

December 15, 2019 / Matthew 1:18-25

Conversation with your Life Group:

  • Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:8; Matthew 13:20-21; Hebrews 1:14; Jeremiah 17:5-8. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?

  • Read Matthew 1:18-25. What reasons would Joseph have for being afraid of ‘taking Mary as his wife’? That is, how might his reputation and life circumstances suffer if he were to follow through with wedding a pregnant woman?

  • Considering the role of the O.T. prophecy, Holy Spirit, and angelic presence, how did God graciously address Joseph’s fears and equip him to embrace God’s plans for his life?

  • If you really were to go ‘all-in’ on your faith in Jesus and treat Him like the Lord that He is (instead of fearfully living for yourself), how might that might be risky for your reputation or make for harder circumstances?

  • How does God’s promises and truth give you faith, courage, and confidence to overcome your specific fears?

God With Us

December 15, 2019 / Matthew 1:18-25

Conversation with your Life Group:

  • Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Matthew 1:18-25. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?

  • How does Jesus being “God with us” effect our everyday lives?

  • What are some ways we can show compassion during the holiday season?

  • Practically, how can we live out the freedom The Lord has provided for us?

Mary: Holt Venue

December 8, 2019 / Luke 1:26-54

Conversation with your Life Group:

  • Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Luke 1:26-54. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?

  • Mary finds out she’s pregnant with Jesus, which means her life will never be the same. Have you ever gotten life-changing news? What was your initial response? How difficult (or easy) is it for you to say, “may it be done according to your will,” as Mary did?

  • God used Mary in a “mighty” way that she could never have imagined, in order to present Jesus to the world. Who has God brought into your life to help introduce you to Jesus? Has God done something miraculous or unexpected in your life that has put you in a unique position to point others to Jesus?

  • Read again from Luke 1:54-55, where we see the birth of Jesus calls to mind God’s mercy throughout the generations. Do you have any traditions in your family during the Christmas season that help remind you of God’s mercy toward us? What are some specific ways you can build in these reminders of God’s mercy during the season of Jesus’ birth?

  • Take some time this week to read Matthew 1 in preparation for next week’s Anti-hero study of Joseph.

Mary: REO Town Venue

December 8, 2019 / Luke 1:25-56

Conversation with your Life Group:

  • Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Luke 1:25-56, John 1:16-17, 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, Luke 2:16-19, and Proverbs 4:23. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?

  • Why is grace central to the Gospel and the “Christmas Story”

  • Why is it hard for us to yield to God when we want to be in control?

  • How can we rest in the truth that God’s power is magnified in our weakness and not our strength?

Mary: Westside Venue

December 8, 2019 / Luke 1:26-56

Conversation with your Life Group:

  • Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Luke 1:26-56, Luke 2:19, and Jeremiah 7:14. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?

  • Recall a time where you heard incredible news. How did you respond? What’s the story?

  • Read Luke 1:37. Are there things in your life you believe are impossible? What did you once pray for but have since stopped because you are convinced it won’t happen?

  • Do you still wonder in the Gospel and treasure it as a follower of Jesus Christ? What does it look like for you to have a rhythm of that in your life as a believer?

John the Baptist

December 1, 2019 / Luke 1:57-80

Conversation with your Life Group:

  • Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Luke 1:57-80. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?

  • Consider John the Baptist’s parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth. How is their example an encouragement to us? What qualities did they demonstrate that we can emulate in our own lives?

  • Why do you think John the Baptist was able to avoid “soft selling” the message of Jesus? Where did his confidence come from? Why are we hesitant to be as straight forward as John was when we talk to others about Jesus?

  • Read Isaiah 40:1-5 and John 1:19-23. From the beginning of time, John the Baptist’s entire purpose was to point the world toward Jesus. How is that similar or different from how you see your own purpose? As an ordinary, normal person like John, how specifically can you be intentional about proclaiming Jesus to the world?

  • As the calendar moves toward Christmas, what are some ways you can choose to intentionally stay focused on Jesus in the midst of a hectic and crazy season?