The strength of the sheep is its nearness to the Shepherd.

Outline: Three facets of our sheep-ness:

1. We are prone to wander (1 Peter 2:25a)

2. We are rescued by the Good Shepherd (1 Peter 2:22-25)

3. We are kept safe in His flock (1 Peter 5:1-4)

Questions for Personal Reflection:

1. The number of people who call themselves Christian is much higher than the number who attend church. Why do you think this is so?

2. What are some things this week that distracted you from your faith? How did church this morning help recenter you?

3. The news of influential Christian leader Philip Yancey’s 8-year affair reminds us that we are always prone to wander. What are some ways we try to convince ourselves we aren’t prone to wander?

4. “No matter how astray we have been; the Good Shepherd brings us home.” Where can you testify to the truth of this in your life?

5. Read Hebrews 10:24-25 and discuss the following:

(a) Do you think streaming a church service or listening to a sermon podcast can replace the gathering? Why or why not?

(b) What are some ways the church gathering stirs you up to greater love and good works?

(c) How does our presence in the gathering provide encouragement to others and ourselves? Share an example of how you have been encouraged by others through the gathering.

(d) What are some reasons you have used to neglect the gathering? What is something you can do to overcome those reasons?

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?

Christmas proclaims that the one who makes all things new, has come!

Outline: Five glimpses of the New Heavens and the New Earth to grow our thirst for Christ's coming

1. Everything will be completely new

2. Everyone with shine withe the beauty of holiness

3. Everyone will enjoy the presence of God

4. Everyone will be perfectly whole and eternally comforted

5. Christians will be finally home.

Questions for Personal Reflection:

1. As Christians we are called to be in the world, but not of the world. What does this mean to you? How is it a challenge to practice?

2. Do you think focusing on Christ requires being opposed to the other fun that comes with the Christmas season? What are some things you have done that have helped keep your focus on Christ amidst the fun of the season?

3. Of the five glimpses of the New Heavens and New Earth, which one most stirred your heart? Share why (Give time for each person to answer)

4. Read Romans 8:28. Do you think that when we get to glory every bad thing that happened to us in this life will have a rational explanation so that we can say “now that makes sense to me”? Why or why not?

5. Read Mark 4:14-20 (discuss each question). (a) How do you see the world making the ground “hard” toward faith in the gospel? (b) Where do you discern “persecution on account of the word” in our world? (c) How is “the deceitfulness of riches” attacking people’s faith? (d) Where do you see “the desire for other things” choking out faith? (e) As you consider all of these, what is the frontline battle with worldliness for you? (f) What are you doing to strengthen your faith to overcome?

6. “Heaven is a gift, given; not a reward, earned.” How does the text of Revelation 21:2 show this? How is this good news for you this week?

Christmas proclaims that the one who defeats evil for good, has come!

Outline: How does Jesus finally defeat evil?

1. He defeats evil as the Victorious Warrior

2. He defeats evil as the Righteous Judge

3. He defeats evil as the Glorious Redeemer

Idols demand everything and give nothing in return. Our only hope from their lures is to replace them with faith in the true God.

Outline:

1. Idols lead us astray

2. Idols lead us to despair

3. Idols lead us to miss out

Questions for Personal Reflection

1. What "Golden Calf" temptations are most common in our culture today, and how do they subtly draw our hearts away from trusting God?

2. God calls the people "stiff-necked," comparing them to the cow they were worshiping. How are we like cattle today? In what areas of your life are you resisting God's guidance, correction, or authority?

3. Consider how the things you mentioned in Question 2 above might have become idols for you personally. Where have those things fallen short for you? What are some ways making those things your ultimate source of hope and joy and peace have failed you in the past?

4. In Exodus 32:1, the people grew impatient waiting for Moses (and God). How does impatience with God's timing lead us toward spiritual compromise?

5. Re-read Exodus 32:11-14 (Moses first intercession for the people). How does this passage challenge the way we pray for others who are wandering or struggling with sin?

6. Moses' final intercession for the people comes in Exodus 32:31-32. How is this our ultimate solution to our idolatry problem? How does this picture of Christ to come bring you the hope and joy and peace you have been looking for in other places?

7. Pray for God to show us the areas in our life that have become idols, their futility, and to make more beautiful and compelling in our hearts the solution - Jesus Christ!

Christ with us is our strength and our reward as we pursue the Great Commission.

Outline: What Christ’s presence supplies for us to make disciples

1. Encouragement from the past

2. Strength for the present

3. Hope in the future

Questions for Personal Reflection:

1. Do you have a story of a great big project that you only got done through the help of someone else?

2. What is most encouraging to you as you reflect on the perseverance and growth of Christianity through history and around the world? Consider your own story: What evidence of Christ’s faithfulness to you in the past can you recall to encourage you and others in the present?

3. Read Romans 8:9-11. According to this passage how is Christ with us? What difference does it make to how you face life and what you do with your life when you recognize you have Christ in you? How can you remind yourself of this truth during your day?

4. Our core value: We are Disciple Makers, states “We commit to being prayerful, authentic, and active witnesses for Christ in our lives.” Of the adjectives: prayerful, authentic, and active – which do you feel you are strongest? Which are you weakest? What can you do to strengthen your commitment to this core value?

5. Read Joshua 5:13-15. What strikes you about this passage? What effect do you think seeing the Commander of the Lord’s Army had on Joshua’s resolve in going to battle? What are some ways we can increase our awareness of Christ’s presence in the work of making disciples?

6. Read 1 Peter 3:15: What are some practical things you can do to make the hope within you more visible to those without it?