The Wonder of Christmas

• Session 1: The Wonder of His Presence

  Watch: The Wonder of His Presence (11 min)

  Discuss:

  1. Have you ever visited a familiar place or rewatched a familiar movie with a friend or child who was seeing it for the first time? Did their response change your perspective? If so, in what ways?
  2. Have you ever found yourself indifferent to the Christmas story? If so, what have you done to reignite your wonder of the Christmas story? If the story never gets old for you, how have you kept it fresh?
  3. When have you obeyed God, even when it cost you something? Was it worth it? In what ways can you focus on God’s faithfulness regardless of the outcome?
  4. When has God used His Word, a sermon, or a Christian to encourage you in a difficult decision? What could it look like to use Scripture or your words to encourage a believer who is struggling?
  5. How do you know what decision to make when there is more than one option? When have you known that the decision you needed to make was the more difficult choice? What was it like to trust God with the outcome?
  6. In what circumstances have you been surprised by God’s presence? What are some simple ways you can remind others of God’s presence?
  7. When has God provided for you in a difficult circumstance? What did it look like to trust God even when the outcome wasn’t what you wanted?

• Session 2: The Wonder of His Good News

  Watch: The Wonder of His Good News (11 min)

  Discussion:

  1. When someone says to you, “I’ve got good news and bad news,” do you want to hear the good news first or the bad news? Why?
  2. Does the bad news you hear about or personally experience make it hard for you to see the good news of the gospel? If so, in what ways? What can you do to focus on the good news of Jesus while knowing the bad still exists?
  3. Which of these three titles is the most meaningful for you? What makes it significant for you? How might viewing these three titles and their meanings together impact the way you think about Christmas this year?
     • Savior: Jesus was born to save all humanity from their sins.
     • Christ: Jesus was the promised Messiah foretold in prophecy.
     • Lord: Jesus is God, “majesty in a manger,” who humbled himself to become human.
  4. Prior to this session, how have you looked at the birth of Christ: good information, good advice, or good news? Why would you say it’s important that we view the birth of Christ primarily as good news?
  5. When you think about the Christmas story, do you think about the entire gospel message, or is this a new concept for you? If it’s new, how does it add to the significance of Christmas for you?
  6. How do you celebrate the gospel at Christmastime? What have you found helps you focus on the good news of the gospel amid gifts, food, and time with family?
  7. What events in your schedule are coming up that might give you an opportunity to share the gospel? Who might you see this Christmas season who needs to hear this good news from you?

• Session 3: The Wonder of His Plan

  Watch: The Wonder of His Plan (14 min)

  Discussion:

  1. When it comes to buying Christmas presents, are you a planner or do you just wing it?
  2. Jarrett pointed out that, similar to how we make plans for Christmas, God has a detailed plan to rescue his people. What encouraged you the most from Jarrett’s teaching about God’s plan, and why?
  3. What questions do you wrestle with when you think about sin and restoration? What brokenness do you look forward to God redeeming?
  4. When has God’s plan looked different than what you expected? How did you respond? How might trust in God’s plan help you when you are disappointed?
  5. Do you find yourself eager to share the good news with others? Why, or why not? With whom could you share the good news of God’s plan this Christmas?
  6. When has God’s timing seemed perfect in your situation? When has it felt like God was late to answer your prayer? How so?
  7. Jarrett challenged us to stand on God’s promises. Read Romans 8:1, Hebrews 13:5, and Matthew 11:28. Which of these promises encourages you? For what reasons? What other promises from Scripture help you trust God’s plan?

• Session 4: The Wonder of His People

  Watch: The Wonder of His People (14 min)

  Discussion:

  1. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt out of place, and someone went out of their way to include you? Or have you been the one to include someone? Why do you think it’s important to make others feel wanted?
  2. What do you do to remind yourself that there are still people who need to know that God loves them?
  3. What difference does it make that God planned to offer salvation to “all the families of the earth” from the beginning? What encourages you most about God’s heart to save all people from their sin?
  4. What have you done to make sure that you value Christ’s birth even when you’re busy? What practices have you implemented to help you slow down and intentionally celebrate Christ’s birth?
  5. Who do you know who needs to receive the gift of Jesus this Christmas? What reasons have you heard from others for why they can’t receive the gift of Jesus? How could you respond to those reasons?
  6. In what ways can you share Jesus in your Christmas celebrations this year? How might what you’ve learned in this study help you share the news that everyone can receive God’s gift of salvation?