Unwrapping Christmas | The Promise
How to use it: After watching/listening to this week’s message, from November 27, 2022, use the questions to go deeper into the message, with your group…or on your own. The questions will introduce you to the topic, reflect content from the sermon, go ‘Beyond the Message’, & get you thinking about practical applications for your life.
What is your favorite part of the Christmas season? Is there some event or part of Christmas you have a hard time waiting for?
Pastor Mark said there was “400 years of silence” from Malachi 4:5-6 till Matthew 1:1. What effects do you think this period of silence would have had upon the people of Israel who had regularly heard from God through the prophets?
Briefly read Matthew 1:18-2:23 making note of all the prophecies he includes. What phrase does he use to identify a prophecy? In the Gospel of Matthew this phrase is used 12 times. How does that help us know who Matthew was primarily writing for?
Read Luke 1:1-4. What people group is Luke primarily writing for? What was Luke’s purpose and method for writing his Gospel? Is there one account of Jesus’ birth that impacts you more than the other? Why do you think that is?
Using the online sermon notes (or your own notes or reading of the birth narratives) and briefly review the listed prophecies the birth of Jesus fulfilled in Matthew & Luke.
a. What does this reveal about the nature and character of God?
b. Have you ever studied or been in awe of how many prophecies are fulfilled by Jesus?
c. How does this impact us in our relationship with him today?
Before closing in prayer, discuss how your family or group could ensure that the Word of God and the gift of Jesus are the central part of your celebrations this year.