Christmas On The Way

• What’s the best Christmas present you ever got?
  

• Which is better:

• • Gingerbread men or gingerbread houses?
  • Christmas music or Christmas movies?
  • Waking up early on Christmas morning or sleeping late?
  • Hot chocolate or eggnog?
  • Making a snowman or making snow angels?

• You’re in a Christmas play — which part would you rather have: Mary, Joseph, an angel, a shepherd, a wise man, a stable animal, or the star?
  

Ask eGroup members to share their favorite points from the sermon, what spoke to them, a phrase or moment from the sermon they related to the most, or questions they have. If members have a hard time recalling the sermon, talk through your notes and share your favorite points.

• When did you first hear the Christmas story? Do you remember if anything in particular stood out to you when you first heard it?
  

• When you hear the story now, what’s the most significant part of it to you? Why?
  

• Divide your group into four smaller groups, and tell each group to look at one of these passages — each one shows a different perspective. Give them a few minutes to read through it.

• • Matthew 1:18-24 — Joseph
  • Matthew 2:3-12 — The Magi (wise men)
  • Luke 1:26-38 — Mary
  • Luke 2:8-18 — The shepherds
  Ask one person from each group to give a short recap of what they read.

• Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men all experienced Jesus after making a decision that moved them toward God — what decisions did they each make? (Joseph chose to stay with Mary, the Magi chose to search for and worship Jesus instead of reporting back to King Herod, Mary chose to accept God’s will through what the angel told her, and the shepherds chose to journey to Bethlehem.)
  

• Talk about some challenges or struggles each person/group might have faced in making their decisions. Whose challenges do you identify with the most? Why?

• • Share about a tough decision you made that moved you toward God. How did you experience Him differently after you made that choice?

• Read Romans 3:21-26 in the Good News Translation. God chose imperfect people to raise Jesus and spread the story of His birth. God isn’t seeking the perfect, but the person. How does this passage in Romans prove that’s true? (Talk about what this passage says about WHY God sent Jesus.) What parts of the Christmas story prove God isn’t seeking the perfect? (Look back at the four stories we read if you need to.)
  

• Why do we sometimes try to appear perfect to God instead of approaching Him authentically?

• • Are there any ways you’re trying to approach God with perfection? (How is a perfection mindset keeping you from connecting with God? How could that keep you from experiencing Him?)
  • How can you make a move toward God even in your imperfection? (Think about something that will open you up to experience God in a new way. You could share a testimony about how God showed you grace, challenge yourself to pray more honestly, study someone in the Bible who faced similar imperfections, etc.)

• Are there any challenges you’ll face this Christmas season? How can these new perspectives on God’s desires and why He sent Jesus encourage you on the way to Christmas (as you experience the Christmas season)?
  

Based on our conversation, how do you want to experience this Christmas season differently? Write yourself a “Christmas Vision Statement” by filling in these blanks: “This Christmas season, I’ll remember ____________, and I’ll move toward God by ____________.” Text it to your group, and pray for each other.

Ask eGroup members to share any prayer requests they have. Record any notes or prayer requests to pray for members during the week.

Father, thank You for sending Your Son to us, and thank You for showing us Your grace and goodness through the people You chose to witness His coming. Reveal to us the imperfections we’re trying to keep from You so we can approach You authentically and grow to be more like Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.