Joseph was faced with decisions and realities that were based on questionable circumstances outside his control. Some of us can relate. Others of us create a mess with our own poor choices. yet God has the unique ability to turn every single set of circumstances into into beauty, given the time and trust to do so.
You may want to share communion with your group this week as you strive to discuss the deep disappointments and darkness that may follow people into your living rooms this week. Jesus came to turn despair into hope- but first we have to hand him the pieces.
Additionally, you may want to take time to read as a group the Christmas story and just talk about it. You would be surprised to find out how many Christians and non-Christians alike have never actually read the Christmas story in the Bible, due to over-familiarity or it always feeling like seasonal reading that gets read in December by the pastor.
Thaw
What's something you have learned or come to understand this Christmas season that you didn't realize before?
What's something you feel like you have done to work toward building "your wall"? One brick that you have put in place?
How can the group help you set the first brick?
Leader note: Yes, this is accountability that so many of us desire but don't know how to ask for! Don't let any almost-decisions fall away with time!
What something about the message Sunday that stuck with you?
What has it made you think differently?
Read
- Revelation 21:1-5
- Thoughts?
- How does this resonate with your view of what God is going to do in the future, and how does it run contrary to what you thought was coming?
Leader note: keep in mind that the word for "new" here is kainos in Greek, which is not neos like "never existed prior". This is about refreshing something that already existed, but had worn out and needed REnovation and REdeeming. this matter in the sense of God making good and beautiful out of the worn and broken.
- Have you ever taken a craft or project that a child seemingly ruined and turned it into something good? If yes, what does it require of you to be able to do this?
Leader note: looking for words like creativity, and knowledge of greater options than the child could conceive of. Your wisdom and ability took what the child thought was ruined and re-spun it into something beyond her imagination!
- How does this principle apply to those who call God "Father"?
- How does it apply when you can see how it could be redeemed?
Read
- 1 Peter 2:11-12
- Thoughts?
- Why does Peter call for deeds in response to other's accusations?
- Why is this harder to do than well formed arguments about faith?
- Think of that friend or family member that doesn't understand your journey of faith- perhaps they're even hostile. Would you think a sustained life of inspired living change their perspective? Why or why not?
- How would this change you?
- What's an example of something that you thought was going to be the end of you somehow, that God got you through?
- What's an example of something you question whether or not God will be able to keep you moving through it to see it through to redemption?
Leader note: Take some time in prayer at the end, inviting members to tell of what it is that they think has served as an anchor in their journey of faith. What is it they feel is unforgivable, irredeemable, too broken? What is it that is so disappointing that they don't feel as though there is anything good that could come from it. Perhaps, during communion, you celebrate a God that isn't offended by our inability to see how He can make goodness come of it all. Invite Him to, over the course of weeks, months and years, to blow our minds with His ability to make all things new. Then, as a group, commit to live such good lives in front of the pagans that though they have some nasty things to say about our previous way of life, they will eventually be forced to recognize that change has indeed come.
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