All I Want For Christmas: Gratitude (Luke 1)

What is the most unexpected event you have experienced this week? How did you respond? Did it cause you to be grateful? Why or why not?

This story has three pieces. The first piece is Mary's conversation with an angel. You can read this portion in Luke 1:26-38. The second piece is Mary's conversation with her cousin, Elizabeth. You can read this portion in Luke 1:39-45. The final piece is Mary's conversation with God. You can read this portion in Luke 1:46-55.

How would you describe the swing in emotions Mary was experiencing during this time? What might have caused her to be anxious or afraid? What might have caused her to be joyful? What might have caused her to be angry? What might have caused her to  be at peace?

How would you describe Elizabeth's conversation with Mary?

Who do you know that blesses you whenever you are around them?

What can you do this week to be a blessing to the people around you?

What is your favorite phrase in Mary's prayer (vs.46-55)? Why?

Which phrases recognize God's strength? Which phrases recognize God's mercy? 
 
How have you experienced God's strength and mercy in your life?

What did Mary say in her prayer about God's provision for her and for Israel?

How has God provided for you this week? This month? This year?

Have everyone in the room share 2-3 reasons they are grateful to God.

Challenge everyone who is willing to take a gratitude challenge in which they commit to contact one another every day (text, email, call, etc.) for the sole purpose of sharing one reason they are thankful.

2 Easy Steps To Become A Great Leader (Mark 9)

In your opinion, who is the greatest historical figure of the past 100 years? Why?

What do you think makes someone "great"? What makes someone a great leader?

What made Jesus great?

Read the following passages. After you read each passage, identify one or two principles about "greatness" or "leadership":

• Read Mark 9:35
• Matthew 20:25-28
• Matthew 23:1-12
• Luke 22:24-29

How would you describe Jesus' view on greatness and leadership?

What do you think Jesus meant when he said "the first shall be last"?

What do you think Jesus meant when he said leaders must first be "the servants of all"?

Who is someone you know that willingly puts them self last on a regular basis? Who is someone you know that is always serving other people? Do you consider those people to be great? Why or why not?

How did Jesus put Himself last? How did He serve others?

List three or four people that you can serve this week? What specifically can you do to help them?

What is one situation in your life where you can intentionally put other people ahead of you?

What are the challenges you think might keep you from placing yourself last or serving others? How can you overcome those challenges? How can others help you overcome those challenges?

If you spend a couple minutes in prayer every morning, how will you pray about these challenges? How will you pray for others? How would you like others to pray for you?

What is your goal for this week?

Use Prayer To Prepare Your Heart and The Hearts of Others (Mark 4)

Read Mark 4:1-20.

Why do you think Jesus began by saying, "Listen!"? Why is listening important?

Read the following verses about listening. In each verse, identify one principle about how listening can help you grow.

Proverbs 16:20 Matthew 7:24 Luke 11:28 James 1:22

The story Jesus told in Mark 4 describes four different types of people and how they respond to God's truth. In your own words, describe each of the four types of people.

The good soil talked about by Jesus represents a person with a receptive heart. How would you describe a heart that is receptive to God?

How would you describe a heart that is hardened to God? Has there been a time in your life when you've felt a hardness of heart toward God? How did He soften you?

Jesus explained that some people receive the truth at first but then fall away. In your experience, what causes people to walk away from God?

Since listening to God is important, take a moment and think about what God wants to say to you. If He was going to speak to you about one area of your life, what would it be? What would He say to you?

What is one thing God wants you to give up? What is one thing He wants you to begin doing?

Write down the names of 3-5 people you know who haven't yet accepted the truth about Jesus.

What is one thing you can say to them this week that might help them think about what God wants from them? How can you say it in love?

Take some time and pray for each of the people on your list. Pray that:

• God will soften their heart toward the truth
• God will reveal to them how much He loves you
• God will cause them to be curious about Jesus
• God will use you or someone else to speak the truth to them
• God will convict them of their sin and cause them to desire a new life
• Finally, pray that they will give their life to Jesus and begin following Him.

The Harvest Is Ready But The Workers Are Few (Luke 10)

What are your favorite conversation topics? About what issues do you prefer not to talk? Why?

When was the last time you had an awkward conversation. What happened?

Do you find it easy or difficult to talk to people about God? Why?

Why do you think many people find it awkward to speak about their faith?

Read Luke 10:1-7. How would you summarize Jesus' instructions to his disciples?

If Jesus were to give this same command in today's world, what do you think He would have said?

What do you think it means to speak peace upon a house? How can you speak peace into the lives of those around you?

If you talk to others about your faith, what is the likelihood you'll be rejected? Did Jesus expect His disciples to be rejected? (read further in the passage)

Read verse 16. How does this verse make you feel? Why?

Was the mission a success or failure for the disciples? How do you know?

If you talk to many others about your faith, what is the likelihood some will be receptive?

Who are three people in your life with whom you know you should talk about God? What can you do this week to speak peace into their lives? What words can you use to share about your faith in Jesus?

What encouragement and motivation do you need from others to help you accomplish this?

God Doesn't Keep Short Accounts... (Daniel 8)

What was your greatest success this past week? What has been your greatest success in the past year?

Who do you consider to be a successful person?

How do you decide whether you are succeeding or failing in life?

How do you think God measures whether or not we are succeeding or failing?

Read Daniel 8:1-4 (the ram is representative of the Medo-Persian empire which was soon to come).

The ram was able to "do as he pleased" and it "became great." Do you think God considered the Persians to be successful? Why or why not?

Why do you think God allowed the Persians to have great success for several centuries? Can you think of ways in which God used the Persian empire to accomplish His will?

Read Daniel 8:5-12 (the goat represents the Greeks, and the four horns represent the four generals who divided Alexander the Great's empire).

Verses 9-12 tell of another horn that came from one of the four. Based on these verses would you describe this king/kingdom as good or bad? Why?

Verse 12 says that this king/kingdom "prospered in everything it did". Why do you think God would allow someone like this to prosper?

Read Luke 13:1-5. The Roman ruler, Pilate, had put down a Jewish rebellion by killing several men and mixing their blood with the sacrifice. Jesus compared their deaths to the deaths of eighteen people who died when a tower fell.

Did Jesus think these people died because they were worse sinners than others? How do you know?

Why does God not always reward the righteous and punish the sinners immediately? What is the implication of Luke 13:5?

If you aren't "successful" in life does that mean you aren't living right? Why or why not?

Does material success indicate that someone is living right? Why or why not?

What do you need to change about your life in view of this discussion?

Joy, Contentment, and Smelly Sheep (Luke 2)

How have you recently experienced joy in your life?

What situations or realities can sometimes be joy-stealers in your life?

How would you explain the difference between "happiness" and "joy"?

Read Luke 2:8-15.

What is your favorite part of this story?

Verse 10 says that the angel's message will bring joy for all people. Why would Jesus' birth bring "joy" to people?

What kind of job would be the modern, American equivalent to the shepherds? Do you think the shepherds were content with their lives, or did their lives lack something?

How can a lack of contentment lead to a lack of joy?

When the shepherds heard that the Messiah had been born, what do you think were the first thoughts they had?

How did Jesus meet the needs of the shepherds? How did Jesus meet our needs? How is Jesus the solution for our lack of contentment?

What are steps we can take in our lives to be more joy-filled? What things which steal our joy can we eliminate from our lives?

Allow Jesus to Enact His Mission on You (Luke 4)

Who do you know that has a great story of being "set free" from something? How have you seen people's lives changed by their relationship with Christ?

As a group, read Luke 4:16-21. The passage in Isaiah (vs.17) is a passage that describes the mission of the coming Messiah. By aligning Himself with this mission, Jesus was identifying Himself as the Messiah.

If you were to identify specific groups of people in the 21st century that are parallel to the ones about whom Jesus is speaking, who would they be (apart from the "obvious" answers)?

• the poor?
• the prisoners?
• the blind?
• the oppressed?

As a group, list and discuss the many stories which record how Jesus fulfilled these prophesies during his life.

What are some ways Jesus accomplished these things spiritually (eg. the spiritually poor, the spiritually blind, etc.)

If we want to be like Jesus, how can we take this mission upon ourselves?

To which of the four groups of people do you believe you are best equipped to minister? Why?

What are some specific things you or the group could do to accomplish these kinds of ministry?

If you were going to place yourself into one of these categories (poor, prisoner, blind, oppressed), which would it be?

How do you need Jesus to enact his mission in your life? What can you set aside so that you are open to His work? What do you need to do so that He can complete His work in you?

How can this group pray for you and work with you?

Faith is Relinquishing Authority to Jesus (Luke 7)

If you could choose any living person to be the emperor of the world, who would you choose (you can't pick God/Jesus)? Why would you choose that person? What kind of person would you not want to have that authority? Why?

Read Luke 7:1-10.

What is the most admirable trait of the Centurion? What is the most admirable trait of the elders?

Why do you think the Centurion had the elders go to Jesus on his behalf? What are some reasons he may have thought Jesus wouldn't listen to him? Do you think Jesus would have gone if the Centurion had asked instead of the elders? Why or why not?

Why do you think the Centurion said, "I do not deserve to have you come under my roof."? What things has Jesus done for you that you didn't deserve?

What are some things that people sometimes think they deserve from God? Are they right or wrong? Why?

Have you ever felt God didn't give you something you deserved?  How did you deal with that?

Read verse eight, have several people explain what it means in their own words?

The Centurion's authority was over soldiers, and they had to do what he told them. Over what did he think Jesus had authority? Was he right?

Is there anything over which Jesus doesn't have authority? How does your answer to that question impact the way you live your life?

Are there any areas of your life from which you need to release control to Jesus? How might you go about doing that? What is one step you could take in the right direction?

Extreme Home Makeover: The Roof is Falling! (Luke 5)

Who was your best friend growing up? Why were you so close? What made this person a good friend?

What is the greatest gift you've ever received from a friend? 

Read Luke 5:17-26.

What is your opinion of the friends in this story? In what ways can we look at the friends in this story as an example for us?

Are there parts of this story that you do not like? Why?

If you had been one of the friends, how would you have responded when Jesus said, "Your sins are forgiven?"

Why do you think Jesus said this before he healed the man?

Do you think this man was paralyzed because of his sins? Why or why not? Does it matter?

Were this man's sins forgiven? Did Jesus have authority to forgive sins? Why did Jesus think it was important to heal the man?

Which was more important for this man: to be healed of his paralysis or to be forgiven for his sins? Why? 

Who do you know that needs healing and forgiveness from Jesus? What is one thing you can do this week to bring this person closer to meeting Jesus?

We can't be exactly like Jesus, because Jesus was God. However, we can strive to be as much like him as possible. How can this story inspire you to be like Jesus? What can you do that is like his act of forgiving sins? What can you do that is like his act of healing the man?

How can this group pray for you this week?

Extra Study Questions about John the Baptist

Read Matthew 3:1-17. What do you think was the primary message of John? What do you think it means to “repent?” 

What kind of “fruit” does repentance produce (vs.8)?

Read Mark 1:1-11. John was sent to prepare the way for Jesus. How did he accomplish this? 

How can we prepare people's hearts to meet Jesus? How can you do that this week?

Read Luke 3:1-20. In this chapter, John interacts with many people. Which is your favorite? Why? 

What do you think John would say to you? When someone confronts you, how do you avoid responding like Herod did?

Read John 1:1-8. What was the task God sent John to do? How is our task similar and/or different from John's task? 

In what way can we testify that Jesus is the light of the world?

Read John 1:29-34. John's experience with Jesus provided gave him a powerful testimony. What has been your experience with Jesus?

What can you tell others that Jesus has done for you?

Who Really Wrote the Bible? (2 Peter 1)

Talk about a time when you have been an eye-witness to an amazing or unforgettable event. How did this experience change you? Are you still impacted by it today? How?

Read 2 Peter 1:16-18. Do you know what event Peter is talking about in these verses?

Read Matthew 17:1-8 (this story is also repeated in Mark 9:2-8 and Luke 9:28-36). What is most amazing about this story? How do you think it changed Peter, John, and James?

Read 2 Peter 1:19. How did this amazing experience give Peter confidence?

What do you think it means to "pay attention" to the writings of the prophets? How well do you pay attention to the writing of the Bible right now? What keeps you from paying closer attention?

Read 2 Peter 1:20-21. According to Peter, how was the Bible written? Compare these verses to 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Why does it make a difference whether the words in the Bible come from God or from man?

According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, for what is God's Word useful? How can you let the Bible do these things in your life?

What do you need to do in the coming weeks to improve your relationship with the Bible? What are you going to do in order to pay better attention to God's Word?

How can this group help you?

Extra resources for learning about the Bible: About the Bible: Short Answers to Big Questions (Exploring Christian Faith), What the Bible is All About: Bible Handbook: NIV Edition, Rick Warren's Bible Study Methods: Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God's Word

Setting Priorities (Luke 23)

Have each person in the group share their top three priorities for the coming week? Do they have a plan for accomplishing these priorities?

Should all Christians have the same top priorities in life? Why or why not?

What are some things that should be priorities in the life of a Christian?

Read Luke 23:1-5. What was the top priority of the people who brought Jesus to Pilate? Why do you think this was so important to them?

How do you deal with people who have a great hatred for God and/or Christians? Do you talk to them about your faith? Why or why not?

Read Luke 23:6-12. What was Herod's top priority in his interaction with Jesus (hint: look at verse 8)? What do you think Herod was hoping to see?

Why do you think God doesn't do miracles all the time? Read Luke 11:29-32. What does this teach about signs and miracles?

Read Luke 23:39. What was the top priority of this criminal?

When have you found yourself wishing God would do something for you (either provide something or get you out of a situation)? Should we ever have these kinds of expectations for God? Why or why not?

Read Luke 23:40-42. What was the top priority of this criminal?

Why did Jesus honor the request of this criminal? How can this criminal serve as a good example to us?

Based on what you've read and talked about, what is one priority you want to set for the coming the week? How can this group help you accomplish it?

Resisting Temptation: (Luke 4)

What unhealthy food is most tempting for you? How hard to work to avoid that temptation? How successful are you?

Think about other people who are at the same stage of life as you. What common temptations do you think are strongest for these people? Why?

Read Luke 4:1-13.

Which of these three temptations do you have questions about? Have the group discuss these questions.

Which of Satan's temptations to Jesus would have been most difficult for you to resist? Why?

Look at the Scripture passages Jesus used to fight temptations (listed below). List some present-day situations when these same Scriptures might apply:

• "Man does not live on bread alone."
• "Worship the Lord your God and serve him only."
• "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."

Think about the common temptations you talked about at the beginning. What Scripture passages can you think of that might help you fight against these temptations.

Read 1 Corinthians 10:12-13. How are these verses a warning to you? How are these verses an encouragement to you?

What are some steps any person could take in order to better resist temptation? How can people prepare themselves for temptation before it ever comes?

What can this group do for you?

When God Acts Strangely: (Luke 2)

Who is one historical figure (now dead) with whom you'd like to talk? What is one question you would ask?

What is a question to which you've never been able to find an answer?

If you could ask Jesus one question, what would it be?

Read Luke 2:41-50. Why do you think everyone was amazed by Jesus? What kinds of things do you think he was talking about? What types of questions do you think he was asking?

How can asking questions help us to grow spiritually? Is there a time or place when we should not ask questions? Are there questions we shouldn't ask?

Do you think Joseph and Mary were wrong in the way they treated Jesus in this passage? Why or why not? Do you think Jesus behaved a little strangely in this passage? Why or why not?

For parents, have your children ever not lived up to your expectations? What did you do?

For everyone, has God ever not met your expectations? What do you do when God doesn't do things the way you would like?

As a group, read Ephesians 3:20-21. What has God done for you that you couldn't even have imagined?

This week, when you find yourself questioning what God is doing, remind yourself of all He's already done for you. Then ask Him what He's doing!

Leaving It Behind: Genesis 12

What are two or three possessions you would never want to part with? Why?

Why is giving things up often so difficult? What are some situations when giving things up is very easy?

Read Genesis 12:1. God tells Abraham (still called "Abram" in this passage) to leave his city, his friends, and his family (each translation differs, but this is a close approximation).

Which of these three do you think would be most difficult to leave (city, friends, family)? Why?

Why do you think God asked Abraham to leave? Why couldn't he have stayed where he was and received God's blessing?

Read Luke 9:57-62. What did Jesus say these people needed to leave behind in order to follow him?

Read Matthew 19:16-22. What did Jesus say this person needed to leave behind in order to follow him?

If Jesus were to interact with people today, what kinds of things do you think he would tell them to leave behind in order to follow him?

What are the things you think God might be telling you to leave behind so that you can follow him? Why is this hard to do?

How can this group encourage you as you seek to follow God?

Prepare the Way for Jesus (Luke 3)

How do you (and your family) prepare for Christmas each year? Have your preparations been different this year than in the past? Why or why not?

If you could describe the "perfect" Christmas moment, what would it look like? What kinds of things do you do in order to try to make a moment like this happen?

Read Luke 3:1-6. What was John preparing for? What do you think it means to "prepare the way?"

Christmas is a time when we celebrate the coming of Christ into the world. Share with the group about when Christ first came into your personal world. How were you first introduced to Jesus?

Look at verses 5-6. According to John, a lot of work needed to be done on the "roads" to make them ready for the Messiah. What kind of work often needs to be done in people's lives to make them ready for Jesus? What kind of work needed to be done in your life to make you ready for Jesus?

Look at verse 3. "Repentance" was at the heart of John's message. What does it mean to repent? How does repenting of our sins help us prepare our lives for Christ?

Verse 8 says to produce fruit that is consistent with repentance. What kind of fruit in someone's life shows that they have repented? Is repentance a one time thing or must it be repeated? Why and how?

What part of your life's path needs to be prepared for Jesus? How can you accomplish this? How can this group help and/or pray for you?

Meeting the Messiah (Luke 2)

Talk about a time in your life when you met someone unexpectedly. Was it awkward? exciting? disappointing? fun?

Read Luke 2:25-35. Have several people talk about one or two verses that stick in their mind when reading this passage.

Verse 25 says that Simeon was "righteous" and "devout". Have you ever known someone you could describe using those words? What do you think those words mean?

WORD STUDY: The word "righteous" could also be translated "equitable". It is really a reference to Simeon's treatment of other people. The word "devout" could also be translated "pious". It is a reference to Simeon's relationship to God.

How does our relationship with other people impact our relationship with God? How does our relationship with God impact our relationship with other people?

Read verse 29. Once Simeon met Jesus, he was ready to die. What are 2-3 things you want to accomplish or see happen before you die? Do you have plans to make those things happen?

What do you think God wants to do through you before you die?

Simeon said to Joseph and Mary that "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel". What do you think he meant be this? (1 Peter 2:4-8 may provide some helpful insight)

Simeon said that Jesus would be a sign. What do you think this sign was pointing to? Why do you think Simeon said that some would "speak against" this sign?

What are the different responses that people have to Jesus? Is it possible for Christians to ever "reject" or "speak against" Jesus (think about Peter)? Why or why not?

Simeon may not have expected to see the Messiah come as a baby, but he was still able to recognize him when He came. Can you recognize how Jesus is coming into your life right now? What is he asking you to do or be? How will you respond?

Let It Be (Luke 1)

What is the most unbelievable experience you have ever had? Would you want to do it again? Why or why not?

Read Luke 1:26-35.

Have different group members tell what is (in their minds) the most unbelievable part of this story.

Read verse 29. Why do you think Mary was troubled/confused? What do you think were the thoughts racing through her head?

Time-Out for Doctrine: (More about Mary in a minute) Why do you think it was important that Jesus was born through a normal pregnancy? Why do you think it was important that He was born from a virgin? (warning: these issues have been debated by theologians for centuries!)

If you were Mary, what is the first thing you would have done when the angel left? Why?

What difficulties can you imagine Mary faced during her pregnancy (check out Matthew 1:18-19)?

If God sent an angel to you to deliver a message that you were about to enter a 9 month trial which would be worse than anything you'd ever been through, how would you respond?

Read Mary's response in Luke 1:38.

Mary begins her response by calling herself the servant of the Lord. What do you think it means for someone to be the servant of the Lord? How can we live as servants of the Lord?

Mary's response is, "Let it be..." or "May it happen". Why do you think Mary was willing to give up control of her life?

We all know that God desires to have control of our lives. How do some people avoid giving God control of their lives?

What areas of control in your life do you need to hand over to God? How can this group help you?

Take Up Your Cross (Luke 9:23-24)

Have you ever been followed by someone? Was it funny, fulfilling, or creepy? Why?

As a group, list five synonyms for the word, "discipleship". Have people explain why they chose the words they did.

How would you describe the process someone should follow if they want to be a disciple of Jesus? or, explain why a process might not work.

Read Luke 9:23.

What do you think it means to "deny yourself?"

What do you think it means to "take up your cross?"

Why do you think Jesus said to take up your cross DAILY?

What do you think it means to "follow Jesus?"

What does it look to every day deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus? (give specifics from your life or another person's life)

Is this a command for a brand new Christian, for someone who is ready to take a "next step" in their relationship with Christ, or for all Christians? Why?

What is easy about obeying this verse? What is difficult about obeying this verse?

Read Luke 9:24. What do you think it means to "lose your life?"

After looking at these words from Jesus, what is one thing you want to do differently in your life this week?

The Promise: Poets and Prophets Keep the Hope Alive

• How do difficult times in our lives cause your relationship with God to change (positively and negatively)?  Are there promises from Scripture that you think about when you experience life's difficulties?  Which ones are most meaningful to you?
• God waited years to fulfill His promises to Israel.  Have you experienced times when God seems to not answer your prayers?  How do you respond when He seemingly does not answer your prayers?
• Talk about times when your "spiritual heartbeat" has slowed down.  What types of things cause your spiritual heartbeat to quicken?
• Skim and summarize or read Luke 24:13-35.  Like the men on the Emmaus Road, we do not always understand the meaning of the scripture passages that we read.  What spiritual resources do we have to help us understand these truths? 
• As a group, brainstorm a list of names and pictures that are used to portray the Promised Christ.  Which one or ones are your favorites and why?
• When you think about God's promises, which promises are easiest to cling to?  Which ones are more difficult?  Why?
• How can the group help you embrace God's promises more fully?