At Trailhead, we believe that church is not just about growing in God’s Word but doing so in community. We have designed this study guide to help you follow along with Sunday’s message. Study the scriptures, take notes, and then reinforce what you learned by answering a few questions. Ask others to join you in discussion, whether it be with your family or online with your Trailhead study group. Let’s have church!
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Interactive Scriptures and Notes
Romans 3:23-24 (NIV)
…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:9b (KJV)
If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.
Isaiah 7:9b (NIV)
If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.
1 Peter 1:3-5 (MSG)
What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole.
1 Peter 1:6a (NIV)
In all this you greatly rejoice…
Other Notes
Discussion Questions
Think about the words “good news.” Why is the Christmas message “good news” for us, as opposed to “good thoughts” or “good advice?”
The Book of Isaiah predicts the birth of Jesus by prophesying the coming of 1) a ruler from the bloodline of David, 2) a Servant, and 3) a Messenger. How did/does Jesus encompass all three of these labels?
Why should we rejoice when thinking about the Christmas message? How should that look in our everyday lives?
Personal Reflection
What comes to mind when you think about Christmas? Is it the presents? Music? Food? Now how much focus is placed on the birth of Christ? If it’s not much, what can you do to change that?