Ice breaker/connect:
When spending time with someone, are you a “face-to-face” person who wants to have a heartfelt conversation, a “shoulder-to-shoulder” person who like to take on tasks or hobbies together, or do you have another favorite way of being with friends?
Opening prayer:
For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst. (Matt 18:20 NASB) Invite the Holy Spirit to be part of your discussion, giving you wisdom to share, insight into the Lord’s character, and opening your eyes to His truth.
Discussion:
- “…they shall name Him Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”
Read John 14:23 and Acts 2:38
o Do you regularly experience God’s presence with you? If so, please share what those experiences are like. How do you stay attuned to His presence? If you do not regularly feel God’s presence – what do you think gets in the way? - Do you know people who do a great job of making you feel seen and heard when you are in their presence? What do they do that helps you feel that way?
- Are these behaviors we should use with God to acknowledge His presence in our lives and build our relationship with him?
- How would being with Jesus in Israel in the first century, walking, resting, eating, and doing life together – being in his physical presence - be different from having a relationship here and now with the Holy Spirit?
- Read John 1:48 and 4:17-18 & 4:29 – does it give you comfort or encouragement to know that the same God who amazed these people with what He knew of them is with you and knows you as well? How important to your relationship with Jesus is it that He knows you so well? Is there someone in your life you can encourage or comfort through being with them and getting to know them well?
After Party and Advent:
This week’s After Party is an activity borrowed from our Advent series. You can find that video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibeqM29eXIk
If you appreciated the exercise, you can see the whole video and all our other Advent content at https://northshore.church/advent/
Closing Prayer:
“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” – Thank the Lord for His faithful and dependable presence in our lives. Ask Him to help us see and feel His presence with us that we would build our relationship – our friendship – with Him that our future would be part of His kingdom here and now and forever in His presence for eternity.