December 17, 2023 - Discussion Questions
Head and Heart
Steve Howell
Part of Then Christ Came
December 15, 2023

‌Series: Then Christ Came
Title: Head and Heart
Passage: Luke 1-2
Speaker: Steve Howell (Senior Minister)

Use the following questions and directions based on today’s sermon as a starting point for spiritual discussions with your family or a small group of Christian friends this week.

‌‌Fellowship—Relationship with a Purpose

  • Have you ever been excited to meet a new arrival (your own child, a sibling, a niece or nephew, a grandchild)? Compare your expectations with the reality of meeting this child. How did you react? How did you feel?

‌Growth—Thinking About Spiritual Matters

  • Read the entirety of Luke 1-2. It should take you 10 minutes or less.

  • In Luke’s preface (1:1-4), how does he explain his purpose for writing? Why is it important for Christians to have certainty in our beliefs?

  • Luke focuses on a lot of people in his introduction. Look up the following verses from Luke and list the people we should notice: Luke 1:5, 1:27, 1:41, 2:8, 2:25, 2:36. Who tends to get your attention? Who do you typically ignore? Why?

  • Luke focuses on two parallel birth stories: the birth of John the Baptist, and the birth of Jesus. What is the relationship between these two?

  • Read Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55. Restate it in your own words. How does God’s reversal of expectations for the humble and the proud relate to His work in Jesus?

  • Read Zechariah’s song in Luke 1:68-79. What enemies of God do you think came to mind when Zechariah prophesied this? What enemies of God would Jesus defeat?

  • Why do you think God announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20? How does each person in this scene demonstrate belief? How does each person demonstrate worship?

  • Why should belief in God always result in worship? Would God be pleased with the level of your worship today? Why or why not?

Prayer – Taking Your Thoughts to God

  • Pray for God to expand your heart for Him. Ask for help to rejoice and praise Him for the work of salvation He has accomplished through Jesus.