Preaching Point: The Wise Men’s gift of gold should remind us to revere Jesus as the unrivaled King of the universe.

Main Text: Matthew 2:1-12 (ESV) 1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Teaching Points:

1. Affirm Jesus’ Divine Kingship
2. Offer Jesus Your Best, Not Just What’s Left
3. Anticipate Jesus’ Eternal Kingship

Application Questions:

1. What is one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon?
2. Read John 18:36-37, Matthew 2:1-2, and Micah 5:2. How does affirming the Divine Kingship of Jesus reshape your priorities and ambitions?
3. What practical steps should you take this Christmas season to orient your life fully around the Divine Kingship of Jesus?
4. Read 2 Samuel 24:18-25 and Matthew 10:37-39. Where are you tempted, and even guilty, of giving Jesus less than your best and settling to give him whatever is left over?
5. What are the most common culprits that lead you into this pattern, and what steps can you take to eradicate them moving forward?
6. How do these passages, along with the Wise Men and their gifts in Matthew 2:11, challenge you to be intentional about giving Jesus what he truly deserves?
7. Read Luke 1:30-33 and Isaiah 9:6-7. How can you use this Christmas season to better prepare yourself and your family for Jesus’ eternal reign as King?

Main Text: Luke 17:11-19 (ESV) 11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Preaching Point: You must act in accordance with your faith in Jesus and glorify Him as you continually experience the goodness of His grace in salvation.

Teaching Points:

1. Put Your Faith in Jesus Into Action (VV. 11-14)
2. Respond to God’s Grace with Praise and Gratitude (VV. 15-16)
3. Recognize that God Has Met Your Greatest Need Through Christ (VV. 17-19)

Application Questions:

1. What is one observation or application that you found helpful from this week’s sermon?
2. Read Luke 17:11-14. Identify one area where you need to put your faith into action this week. What concrete step will you take to do so?
3. Read Luke 6:46, 1 Peter 1:14-16. Where in your life is Jesus calling you to obey without full clarity or comfort?
4. When you take an honest look at your prayer life, is it dominated more by requests or by thanksgiving?
5. Read Psalm 100:1-5. What daily or weekly practices could you add to better cultivate gratitude to God?
6. How does remembering what Christ has done for you (Eph. 2:1–7; 2 Cor. 5:17) fuel gratitude and worship?
7. Who in your life needs to hear about how Jesus has met your greatest need? Who will you share with this week?

Title: House Rules: God’s Kids and Their Kids

Main Text: Matthew 19:13-15 (ESV) 13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.

Preaching Point: God’s kids must value and welcome children, in part, because their humility and trust display the very qualities God expects from everyone who belongs to His Kingdom.

Teaching Points:

1. Parents: Make Jesus Your Kids’ Number One Priority (V. 13a)
2. Church: Seize Every Opportunity to Teach Our Kids More About Jesus (VV. 13b-15)
3. Grasp The Childlike Nature of Saving Faith (VV. 13b-15)

Application Questions:

1. Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon.
2. Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9. If you are a parent with kids at home, what practical steps can you take to ensure that, as far as it depends on you, Jesus truly becomes your children’s number-one priority?
3. In what situations might you say that Jesus is your top priority, while your daily decisions and habits reveal that He is not?
4. Read Psalm 78:1-8; 2 Timothy 3:14-15; and Proverbs 22:6. Why must we as a church seize every opportunity to teach our kids more about Jesus?
5. What wrong attitudes could you adopt toward children that resemble the disciples in Matthew 19:13 rather than Jesus’ attitude in 19:14-15?
6. Read Matthew 18:1-4 and 1 Corinthians 3:18-19. How does thinking about the nature of children help clarify your understanding of the humility and dependence involved in saving faith?
7. How does being part of a church filled with children help you see aspects of the gospel and saving faith that might be harder to grasp in a congregation without many kids?