INTRODUCTION

This week we are in our third and final week of our journey into the true story of Christmas. There are many harmless misconceptions many of us may have had about Christmas, but when those misconceptions lead to us having false ideas about Jesus it can quickly go from harmless to harmful. Let’s dig into more of the truth about Jesus and the purpose for Him coming to earth in the first place. The purpose of Jesus leaving heaven and coming to earth is literally an eternal matter of life and death.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Most of our childhoods probably have more similarities than differences. What is one thing from your childhood that was quite a bit different from most other people’s childhood (better, worse, stranger, or other reasons that you are willing to mention)?
2. Jesus does not count our sins against us. He came to bring us “peace with God.“ Would you consider yourself to live your life at peace with God? Perhaps a better question is what could you do to have a greater depth in your peace with God?
3. Jesus invites us to live free from animosity towards anyone else. He came to bring “peace to men.“ What do you sense the Lord leading you to do so that you can have greater peace with those around you?
4. Is there a specific person that it is hard for you to be at peace with? Consider how Jesus wants you to experience freedom by choosing to release that person (or those people) from the turmoil they are causing you internally. Without sharing details let someone know that you have taken this courageous and difficult step.
5. Does the enemy of your soul whisper to you the believable lie that you have committed sins that are too horrible for Jesus to cover? What does Jesus have to say about that? What Jesus did on the cross has limited effects, or no power at all, in our lives if we do not choose to believe it. How can you grow in experiencing the full freedom that Jesus has provided for each of us by covering our sins?
6. The first five verses of Psalm 103 clearly and specifically tell us what Jesus has provided for all of us when they declare, “Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” What is one of these benefits that you readily acknowledge in your life? What is one of these benefits that you either do not experience regularly or have a hard time believing is for you?

MOVING FORWARD

Jesus came to provide all of us life and it more abundantly. In order to experience what He came to bring us we need to learn more and more about who He is and what He did. We hope these past three weeks have not only enlightened you on more truth about Jesus, but we also hope that it has stirred up an appetite to get to know more and more about your Savior, your Healer, your Redeemer, and your Messiah.

Merry Christmas!