The coming of Christ is a call to be ready. Have we prepared Him room?

Outline: Three guests that will crowd Christ out of Christmas and our life.

I. Watch out for the Guest "Now! Now! Now!" (vv. 8-9a)

II. Watch out for the Guest "One More Thing" (vv. 10-13)

III. Watch out for the Guest "Blend In" (vv. 14-15)

Questions for Personal Reflection:

1. Icebreaker: What part of getting ready for Christmas do you like the most? The least?

2. What sort of distractions ensnare you most easily? How have you been successful in resisting distractions?

3. The pressure to blend into the culture around us is constant. Where do you feel this pressure regarding how you celebrate Christmas?

4. What are some ways we can make Christmas an idol, i.e. how can we make good things about the season greater than Jesus himself?

5. Read 2 Peter 3:4-10. Imagine someone is doubting that Christ is coming back because it has been so long, what are some things you might remind him from this passage to address his doubt?

6. As Christmas approaches do you feel more like Martha (busy getting everything ready) or more like Mary (enjoying the presence of Christ)? What are some things you’ve said “no” to in choosing the “good portion”?

7. What is one thing you plan on doing on Christmas day to make the day a celebration of Jesus?

Christmas proclaims that the one who gives everlasting life has come!

Outline: Three treasures of everlasting life with Christ

1. Forever and ever we will flourish (22:1-2a)

2. Forever and ever we will be blessed (22:2b-3, 5)

3. Forever and ever we will enjoy God (22:4)

Questions for Personal Reflection:

1. Share a favorite Christmas memory.

2. How have you experienced disappointment and/or disillusionment in this world? What might our disappointments/disillusionments reveal that we are treasuring?

3. What in your life is like the Samaritan woman’s chore of getting water? How specifically does Jesus’ gift of living water – water that is abundant, good, and fulfilling – satisfy this need?

4. Some argue against heaven by saying that perfection means nothing will change/happen and therefore it will be boring. How might you use the description in Rev 22:1-5 to show heaven will never be boring?

5. Read Galatians 3:13-14, what is the relationship between the cross of Christ and our inheritance of heaven’s blessings?

6. Read John 17:23 – How can we use the promise of this verse to make our heart treasure heaven more?

7. What is something that you do now (or can do) during the Christmas season to make the treasure of your heart the hope we have in Jesus?

The remedy to being full of self at Christmas is to dwell in the fullness of God.

Outline: Four experiences of awe we will have in the New Heavens and New Earth

1. We will awe in the fullness of God's love

2. We will awe in the fullness of God's faithfulness

3. We will awe in the fullness of God's holiness

4. We will awe in the fullness of God's glory

Questions for Personal Reflection:

1. Share a time where you have experienced awe.

2. What are some reasons keeping the focus on Jesus is difficult during the Christmas season?

3. Which of the many glorious images of the City of God in Revelation 21 seems to draw your imagination and wonder most?

4. If someone were to suggest that we should not focus so much on Jesus’ suffering on the cross, but rather some other aspect of his ministry, how would you use Revelation 21 to argue the cross must be kept central?

5. Read Genesis 12:3 and Matthew 28:19. (a) How do these two verses show the faithfulness of God’s Word (consider the time transpired and the number of setbacks/obstacles between them)? (b) Read 1 Peter 2:23-24. Where do you need your faith strengthened by this truth today?

6. The city of God has the dimensions of the Holy of Holies meaning Christ has given us full access to God’s presence through his atonement. How can this truth be used to encourage and embolden our prayer life?

7. What is an area of your life that is overwhelming you or consuming too much of you? How would an increased awe of God’s love, faithfulness, holiness, and glory give you peace and perspective for this?