LEAN IN
- Share about the first time you went to church? (Who invited you? What people did you meet? What “feelings” did you have? Was it a positive experience?)
- How do you personally take ownership of helping others feel welcome on a Sunday morning or in a group time?
- Why do some people struggle with allowing themselves to be part of a faith community? Do they have valid reasons?
LOOK UP
Scripture: Acts 6:1-10
When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
OBSERVATIONS (What does the text say?)
- What do you notice and what are you curious about?
- What stood out to you about Simeon and Anna’s response to meeting Jesus?
- Verse 33 says that Mary and Joseph marveled at the things said about Jesus. Why do you think that is? Did they not truly believe the angel of the Lord who had already foreshadowed the importance of Jesus?
INTERPRETATIONS (What does the passage mean?)
- What do you learn about God?
- What do you learn about humanity?
- What do you learn about obedience from Mary and Joseph?
- What does this passage model for us about multi-generational people within the church?
APPLICATIONS (What’s my response?)
- How are you encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage?
- What should be our response to this passage?
- Do you have the same eyes to see the people who come to church the way Simeon and Anna had eyes to see Jesus?
PRAYER
Lead your group in a prayer that includes those who are endeavoring to be obedient to God by staying connected to His church, and those who are an active part of His church and needing to welcome and embrace those who are newer to the notion of spiritual community.
Lord, in some form or fashion we are challenged by the life of Mary and Joseph, and their desire to be obedient to the law for the sake of Jesus. May we align ourselves in such a way that being with the larger spiritual community is not a burden, but a life-giving practice that makes us more like you. Our desire is to walk in obedience and to be intentional about our own plight.
We hope to grow into maturity, and to be more like Simeon and Anna who are faithfully serving you, and are used to speak life in Jesus’ purpose and to affirm His parents that you are with them. We want to be your hands and feet in our own church community, but we need your help to see people for how you created them, and to have the courage to speak words of life that affirm who you’ve called them to be.
The church community is not about one person, but all of its persons locking arm in arm to find practical and godly ways to lift each other up for your name sake.
STEP OUT
This Week:
- Looking back, someone invited you to church, so let’s find new ways to compel others to return home to Gateway. Find 2-3 people you already know, and invite them as your guest to any one of Gateway’s campuses.
- Like Simeon and Anna, be praying for how you can show up on a Sunday, or in a group, and to consider bringing words of encouragement to people who seek to follow Jesus faithfully.
- Re-read Luke 2:22-40 this week. How does it read differently than when you heard it in a message or previously studied it in your group?
Additional Scripture References:
- Hebrews 10:23-25; Leviticus 12:8