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“The Questions of Christmas” (Advent 2007) |
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Week 1 – “How Can I Be So Sure Of This?” (Zechariah’s Question)
First, have everyone share: their name, how long they have been connected to FPC, and what drew them to be in an Advent Group.
Have everyone pick one question from #1 and #2. 1. What was the most surprising Christmas present you ever received?
2. Share an unexpected event (positive or negative) from your life.
Have a couple of people read the passage from Luke 1:5-25.
Have everyone pick one or two questions from #3-6. Hopefully at least one person will address each question.
(v.9a) 3. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Zechariah to go into the temple and burn the incense. What once-in-a-lifetime opportunity have you had?
(v. 12) 4. Can you think of a time when you felt the presence of God? Where were you and what happened? Did you feel comforted, puzzled, challenged, or terrified?
(v.13) 5. In their old age, do you think Zechariah and Elizabeth were still praying for a child? Have you ever had a prayer answered years later? What were you praying for?
(v.14-17) 6. If you’re a parent, what did/do you think your kids might become? Did you have any friends who made predictions about your kids? What did it mean that John would be like Elijah?
(v.19-20) 7. Does it surprise you that Zechariah was made “speechless” for his doubt? Do you ever have doubts?
Have everyone answer this one. 8. Are you more of a question-asker or answer-giver? Give an example.
Questions to think about on your own. 9. What would make you speechless?
10. What questions do you have for God? What messages might God be sending to you?
Week 2 – “How Is This Possible?” (Mary’s Question)
First, have everyone share: one Christmas tradition in your family growing up.
Have everyone pick one question from #1 and #2. 1. Which of the following would be least possible for you right now? Why? -Refrain from eating any holiday treats -Climb a 14’er -Trust God for a miracle -Have or adopt a child
2. Can you remember an unmarried girl in your town who got pregnant? How did she get treated?
Have someone read the passage from Luke 1:26-38.
Have everyone pick one or two questions from #3-6. Hopefully at least one person will address each question.
(v.26-28) 3. How do you envision the angel appearing to Mary?
(v.30) 4. Why do you think Mary had found favor with God? Do you think she initially felt like this was a gift from God?
(v.31-33) 5. How is the declaration of what Jesus would be like different from the angel’s words to Zechariah about he and Elizabeth’s baby? (see Luke 1:15-17)
(v.34-36) 6. How does the angel respond to Mary’s question?
Have everyone answer these. 7. From the Old Testament, come up with a list of the “impossible” things God did.
8. Other than the virgin birth of Jesus, which Biblical miracle is the most difficult for you to believe? Why?
Questions to think about on your own. (Read Luke 1:37-38 and 18:18-27) 9. What impossible thing might God want to do in your life? Are you willing, like Mary, to let it happen?
Week 3 – “Why Choose Me?” (Elizabeth’s Question)
Have everyone pick one question from #1 and #2. 1. What are some of the ways you have been blessed throughout your life?
2. Can you remember a time when you were chosen to do something special? What was it and how did you feel about that?
Have someone read the passage from Luke 1:39-45.
Have everyone pick one or two questions from #3-6. Hopefully at least one person will address each question.
(v.39) 3. Why do you think Mary went with haste? Could there be more than one reason?
4. Do you think Joseph knew anything at this point? For the next three months? (see 1:56)
(v.41-42) 5. What do you think was going through Elizabeth’s mind? How do you think Mary interpreted this first encounter with Elizabeth?
(v.43) 6. How else might you summarize or paraphrase Elizabeth’s question? What do you think amazes Elizabeth most about this whole situation?
Have everyone do these. 7. Can you think of a time when you were self-conscious about how blessed you were relative to someone else (friend, co-worker or family member)? What was/is the area of blessedness and how did/do you feel?
8. Read Genesis 12:1-3. Was God playing favorites? Why?
Questions to think about on your own.
9. What are three things God has chosen you to do?
Week 4 – “What’s the Point of This Life?” (People’s Question About John the Baptist)
Have everyone pick one question from #1 and #2. 1. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
2. Did your parents name you for any particular reason?
Have someone read the passage from Luke 1:57-80.
Have everyone pick one or two questions from #3-6. Hopefully at least one person will address each question.
(v.57-58) 3. What differences do you notice between the birth of John, and Jesus’ eventual birth?
4. What are some of the similarities?
(v.59-63) 5. How much, and in what way, do you think Elizabeth and Zechariah communicated during her pregnancy? How did she know that her baby should be named John? What else do you think she knew?
(v.46-55 is Mary’s song; v.67-79 is Zechariah’s song) 6. What are the differences and similarities between these two songs? What stands out to you in each of them?
Have everyone do these.
7. What do you think John was like when he was growing up? How do you think he prepared for his task of preparing people for Jesus?
8. Besides the standard “I want to be a fireman or a nurse when I grow up,” can you remember imagining and hoping that your life would make a difference? What did you hope for as a teenager? Have you realized some of those hopes?
Questions to think about on your own.
9. From God’s perspective, what is the point of YOUR life? |