This Week

GATHERING TOGETHER

Welcome one another, catch up with one another, and share personal stories to encourage, strengthen, and support at a time of isolation and discouragement.

PRAYING TOGETHER

Pray for the well-being of our congregation and community (spiritual, emotional, physical), particularly during this holiday season that can be a trying time for many.

IN THE WORD TOGETHER

Let’s focus our attention on this Advent on the wonderful gift of Christ, given by the Father out of his storehouse of love, grace, and mercy for our salvation!

SERVING TOGETHER

Perhaps mutual service can be an uplifting practice this holiday season

  • Christmas Toyshop OR Bless a Family - see THE WEEKLY for details

REVIEW QUESTION

Any continuing takeaways from last weeks message “What Mary Knew?”

STARTER QUESTION

How are you focusing on Christ this Advent season?

IN THE BOOK

Below there are three different types of questions, so we encourage you to seek a balance if possible. In addition, there is a Leader Study Notes section for further study!

  1. The Understanding questions are designed to refresh your group's memory about the text. These can be answered fairly briefly without a need for longer discussion.

  2. Application questions are structured to draw out the ways the text, as preached, calls us to live. You should make a strong effort in your group to point people to Scripture as they’re discussing these.

  3. We’ve built out Personal Sharing questions that connect with the sermon, but make a more conscious effort to allow the members of your group to know each other better. These help to build a sense of trust by giving people a chance to share their lived experiences.

We pray that as you consider which of these questions work best for your group that God blesses your time together so that the Word of Christ “dwells in you more richly” and you become “knit together in love” as a community.

Joseph's Dilemma

READ: Matthew 1:18-19

UNDERSTANDING:

What was the “Israel dream”? See Psalm 127 & 128.

Why did Joseph initially choose to divorce Mary? How did his decision reveal his character?

APPLICATION:

What’s the takeaway from this part of the story?

PERSONAL SHARING:

When have you found yourself in a challenging circumstance like Joseph’s? How did you respond?

God's Revelation

READ: Matthew 1:20-23

UNDERSTANDING:

What was God’s word to Joseph?

APPLICATION:

What should we emulate from Joseph’s response?

Joseph's Response

READ: Matthew 1:24-25

UNDERSTANDING:

Pastor Dane described Joseph as an “average Joe.” How so?

APPLICATION:

In this passage how did Joseph demonstrate faithfulness in his actions and response to the angel’s message?

What was the “pattern of faithfulness” modeled in this passage? … Anticipation, Devastation, Revelation, Submission/Surrender.

PERSONAL SHARING:

How does the story of Joseph encourage you to live faithfully?

LEADER STUDY NOTES:

No Leader Notes this week.

ONE ANOTHERING:

Whether you are meeting together or not, check in with one another to make sure that everyone is cared for and has what they need. Does someone in your group need help with grocery shopping, childcare, or caring for themselves? Keep a list of the ways you can provide care as a comGroup.

Remember that the Benevolence Ministry is a resource for our comGroups.

  • How can we love or serve one another this week?