BIG IDEA
Christmas is supposed to be "the most wonderful time of the year." But, while Christmas is wonderful for some, for many, it is chaotic. We find ourselves caught up in getting the perfect gifts, baking all of the cookies, and decorating perfectly that we forget why we are celebrating. You see, Christmas is all about celebrating Jesus, who stepped into our chaos to bring peace and hope.
BREAK THE ICE
What is your favorite Christmas memory?
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Bible Study
1. How can Christmastime feel chaotic at times?
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read Matthew 1:18-25. Describe the circumstances Joseph found Himself in. How might he have felt betrayed?
Matthew 1:18-25
"This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet: 23 "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son,and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'" 24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus."
"This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet:
23 "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son,and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'"
24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus."
3. Read Luke 2:1-7. How were the circumstances of Jesus' birth chaotic and likely unexpected?
Luke 2:1-7
"At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them."
"At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them."
4. How do you see God's care and provision even amid the chaotic circumstances of Jesus' birth?
Application
1. What circumstances in your life feel chaotic right now?
2. How does Jesus' birth bring peace to the chaos you may feel?
3. What is one practical way you can show trust in God during the chaos you may be experiencing?
Moving Forward
Christ steps into the middle of our chaos and brings peace and hope. We get to be ambassadors of Christ's hope in a world that sometimes feels more chaotic than hopeful to many. Do you have a list of at least three people in your life who are far from Christ with whom you are sharing your faith? If not, take some time to make that list now. When everyone has their list, spend a few minutes praying for these people. Ask God to reveal Himself to these people and continue giving you all opportunities to share. Let's commit this next year to sharing our faith and bringing hope and peace to those around us.
Going Deeper
In the middle of our chaos, Jesus steps in and brings peace. He brings peace to the weary and anxious hearts. Because of Him, we can have a quiet confidence that one day He will make everything right. This, my friends, is the peace everyone is looking for. Let’s take time now to see how Jesus brought peace and continues to bring peace.
Jesus, the Prince of Peace:
Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, a prophet named Isaiah predicted His birth. His prophecy included information on what Jesus would be called, what He would do when He came, and much more. As Isaiah wrote about the Savior to come, He revealed He would bring peace.
1. Read Isaiah 9:6-7.
Isaiah 9:6-7
"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called:Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7 His government and its peace will never end.He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven's Armies will make this happen!"
2. What do we learn about Jesus in this passage of Scripture?
3. How would Jesus bring peace, according to this passage of Scripture?
4. How does this promise of peace bring hope amidst the chaos life brings.
Jesus Brings Peace During Storms:
It is no secret that life brings storms. Some storms are expected and prepared for. Other storms arise and surprise us. What we want the most during these times is peace. Jesus brings the peace that we desperately want during difficult times. Take a look at Scripture to see how Jesus brought peace to His disciples during a literal storm.
1. Read Mark 4:35-41.
Mark 4:35-41
"As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. 38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?" 39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Silence! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" 41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "Even the wind and waves obey him!"
"As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?"
39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Silence! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "Even the wind and waves obey him!"
2. Describe the disciples’ desperation in this passage of Scripture.
3. Compare the disciples’ response to the storm to Jesus’ response to the storm. Why do you think their responses were so different?
4. What type of storms do people face today where they need Jesus’ peace?
5. How does Jesus bring peace to our storms today?
Jesus Leaves His Peace With Us:
Before Jesus left earth and returned to Heaven, He encouraged His disciples. He let them know that He was leaving soon, but He was not leaving them alone. He promised the Holy Spirit. He also promised to leave them with a gift: His peace.
1. Read John 14:27-29.
John 14:27-29
"I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. 28 Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. 29 I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe."
2. Summarize Jesus’ message to His disciples in this passage of Scripture.
3. What is significant about Jesus’ peace?
4. How are Jesus’ followers called to live in light of His gift of peace?
Divide into groups of 2 or 3 and spend a few minutes discussing areas in your life where you need peace. Next, talk about how Jesus brings you hope in the middle of the storm you are facing. Finally, commit to praying for each other over the next week. Pray for peace and confidence in God’s care and provision.
Monthly Memory VerseRomans 15:13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
©2024 Sagebrush Church
