DECEMBER 3
IS THERE ROOM?
The hope of Jesus can transform every part of our life, but it’s up to us to let Him in.
Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own, and get together with your running partner, life group, or friends and family to talk through what you are learning.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Share about a time you had a plan, but it didn’t meet your expectations? What was your response?
- Read Luke 2:1-20.
Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say?):
- What do you notice and what are you curious about?
Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean?)
- What do you learn about God?
- What do you learn about humanity?
Now make some applications (what’s my response?)
- How are you encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage?
- What should be our response to this passage?
3. How did each of the characters in the story respond to their situation? How did they exhibit humility? How did they make room for the arrival of Jesus?
4. Read Philippians 2:5-10. How does Jesus exhibit humility? What does this say about God’s nature?
5. Jesus came in the most lowly, humble, messy way.
- Why is it important that He came in this way?
- What does this tell us about the kind of God He is and the kind of Kingdom He’s bringing?
- What hope did this and does this bring to a fallen world?
6. What do you need to do to make room to adore Jesus in this Christmas season?
KEY SCRIPTURE
Luke 2:1-20 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Philippians 2:5-10 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth
PRAYER
Adoration:
An adoration prayer is what it sounds like. Instead of a prayer in which it is asking God for something, it is a prayer that focuses on who God is and worshiping (or adoring) Him for it. You can pray through the names of God OR Pray through things you personally love/ know/ have experienced about God. You can also pray scripture that speaks of his character.
Read the prayer of Mary (Luke 1:46-55) after she received the news from the angel that she would bear the Son of God. And respond with your own prayers of adoration.
TAKE A NEXT STEP
- Take careful inventory of your life. Is there anything crowding the way for you to adore Jesus? What can you cut out of your life (maybe less TV, podcasts, busyness) to make room to be with and adore Jesus?
- Consider praying Mary’s prayer from Luke 1:46-55 each day this week and spending time simply adoring Jesus in prayer.
FOR THE FAMILIES
Hey, families! Here’s a look at what we’re covering with your kids so you can help them continue to grow at home during the week.
THIS WEEK
All month long we are going to be talking about how the story of Jesus’ birth and how we can make room for Jesus this Christmas season!
THE BIBLE: “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:9)
THE MESSAGE: The birth of Jesus was the cause for much joy on earth and in heaven. But when the angel came to deliver an important message to Mary, her first reaction was fear. When the angel explained how she would give birth to the Savior of the world, Mary rejoiced. Even today, the good news of Jesus pushes away fear and worry.
THE BIG IDEA: I will make room in my heart for Jesus!
ASK THIS
Because sometimes you and your kid need a conversation-starter that isn’t,
“So . . . how was church?”
- What do you think would have happened if Mary had not said yes to be the mother of the Savior of the world? Do you ever feel like you’re not good enough for God?
REMEMBER THIS
We imagine that we can’t come to God unless we’ve done all of the right things and not done any bad stuff. But that’s not true. The very reason Jesus came was to make a way for us to get to God when we couldn’t do it on our own. Maybe you don’t think Christmas this year will be much worth celebrating. Some of you have families that are split up, or seem to constantly be fighting. For you, Christmas is a source of worry and anxiety. But you can give this to God, too. You can ask him to take away your worry and to give you more and more of his joy and his peace. You can make room for Jesus by inviting him to be a part of the day.
NEXT WEEK
Next week, we will see how God chose a group of people to be the first to hear about Jesus’ birth!