12.23.07
Small Group Plan - December 23, 2007
“An Act of Mercy”
Breath of Heaven
Small Group Plan
December 23, 2007
Dear Small Group Leader,
Which side are you on? Where do you stand? Use the following “Christmas Ice Breaker” with your small group. Read aloud each of the following pair of words or ideas and ask everyone to choose one side or the other. Of course, the fun is in the explanation. Have everyone explain their choice.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Live Tree - Artificial Tree
· Rudolph - Frosty
· Shepherds - Wise man
· Give a gift - Receive a Gift
· Mary - Joseph
· Silent Night - Jingle Bells
· Christmas Eve - Christmas Day
· Matthew - Luke
· Red - Green
· Turkey - Ham
· Apple Pie - Pecan Pie
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
Compassion — Joseph
Matthew 1:18-14, 2:13-15; Luke 2:1-7
· How would you feel if you had been in Joseph’s shoes?
· What would you say to family, friends, and co-workers?
· What were Joseph’s options?
Obedience — Mary
Matthew 1:18, Luke 1:26-56, 2:1-19
· What was revealed to Mary? Why were they revealed to her?
· What might she have felt?
· Do you think she truly understood everything? Explain.
· Why do you think God chose Mary?
· How do you think Mary felt upon hearing Elizabeth’s greeting?
· What does Mary’s song reveal about her? What are some of the themes?
· What was Mary’s response at the end to all the events of Christmas?
Gratitude — Shepherds
Luke 2:8-10
· Why did the angels appear to the shepherds and not someone else?
· Why did the shepherds drop everything to go find out about some baby? Why were they so excited?
· Why do you think it was important to them to see the Baby Jesus first hand?
· Why was the birth of Christ Good News?
Worship — Magi
Matthew 2:1-18
· Why was Jesus important to the Wise men?
· Since they were not even Jews, why do you think the wise men left everything to search for Jesus?
· What is the significance of their gifts?
· How did the wise men respond when they found Jesus?
· Why was Herod so threatened by a baby? What was it that he feared if Jesus were allowed to his place in history?
· What fears do you have if Jesus were to fulfill his place in your life?
· If God had not spoken to the Magi in a dream, what could have happened to Jesus?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· What faith lessons do we learn from Joseph?
· What faith lessons do we learn from Mary?
· What faith lessons do we learn from the shepherds?
· What faith lessons do we learn from the Wise men?
Close by thanking God for this season of sharing.