Date: December 8-9, 2012
Series: Comfort and Joy
Message: True Joy
Passage: Luke 2:8-15
INTRODUCTION – 5 MINUTES
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT CHRISTMAS?
Leader note: Just have fun with this question – but move quickly as there is a lot to get to!
- You can’t escape Jesus — the whole world is proclaiming Jesus in Christmas, making things beautiful…
- Celebration
- Being with family
- Family traditions
- childlike excitement
OBSERVATION – 20 MINUTES
READ LUKE 2:8-15. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT THE FIRST CHRISTMAS?
Leader note: When someone gives an observation, ask them “where do you see that?” and then ask the group, “what does that mean – in our own words?” This will help as you move through the question.
Commentary:
Some observations your group may find. There are others however, do not limit it to this list, and don’t give your group this list. Let them “observe and discover” on their own.
- Good news for all people
- no fear – reassurance
- peace
- joy
- comfort
- Savior
- glory of God
- mystery – how is it possible
- awe and wonder
- ironic – hope of the world shows up as a baby
- favor
UNDERSTANDING – 20 MINUTES
THINK OF 3 OR 4 PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE THAT MIGHT FEEL EXCLUDED FROM THIS MESSAGE?
Leader note: Think of those in your life, or people you know, that may feel like they either aren’t welcomed in by the message, or by those who proclaim the message (church, groups of friends, etc).
Commentary:
Some things that might make people feel excluded –
- If sins they engage in are known by others.
- Gay community
- Other religions, or people raised in religions they shun or left a bad taste for Jesus or people who believe in Jesus
- Those who are sad, bad memories from Christmas
- Those who you have a fractured relationship with you or God
APPLICATION – 20 MINUTES
How do I exclude or not aggressive include those people in this good news?
Leader note: This may be a way for you to think about the exclusion – place yourself on the spectrum, how can you move to the left, toward direct inclusion?
the SPECTRUM:
← DIRECT INCLUSION — PASSIVE INCLUSION — PASSIVE EXCLUSION — DIRECT EXCLUSION →
Examples:
Friend who has had affairs – I act superior, like he probably shouldn’t be in church – help enforce the idea that Christmas really isn’t for him.
I am not aggressively including a gay friend of mine. While I want to make sure no one intentionally hurts him but I’m not pursuing him with the good news of Jesus.
I exclude my parents, I don’t invite or go to their house – we have a bad relationship and I don’t want to have them around.
I passively exclude some neighbors at different times – I’m selfish of my time I have with my family, don’t want to share it so I don’t engage them.
Friend who grew up Jewish, now she will celebrate Christmas with me but don’t talk about Jesus, now I exclude her from that part of my life.
WHAT COULD I DO TO HELP THEM SEE THIS IS GOOD NEWS FOR THEM?
Leader note: In the passage it said the good news was for all people, how can you include those in your life you, even passively, exclude?
PRAY: As you end your time together, especially if you will be on break until after the Holidays, take time to pray. Thank God for the awesome gift of Christmas, for lovingly providing a way for us to know Him, his all-sufficient grace, inclusive heart and motivation, and the path of righteousness set before us. Pray for ways to embody the message, the good news of Christmas this year, and to include all Jesus would if He were walking alongside of you – as you shop, as you attend parties, as you make final plans for visits with family and friends. Pray for the Lord’s provision of protection, healing, restored relationships and the embracing of joy, joy in its fullness, throughout the season and into the New Year.
LIVE IT OUT
What would it be like to bring good news to the excluded in our neighborhood or community?
How would people see the church differently if we truly included?