It's Complicated (S2): WK 2 - GROUP GUIDE

INTRODUCTION
The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.

OPEN QUESTIONS
Among all the holiday craziness, what are some ways that you seek to put Christ at the center of your Christmas celebrations?

HEAD

1. Read Galatians 4:4, Romans 5:6-8, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1-19 together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading.
2. Why do you think Jesus came to earth when he did?
3. In Romans 5, it says that someone may possibly die for someone who is especially good. Why is this verse so important in understanding both our need for Christ, and his love for us?
4. Wouldn’t it have been easier for Jesus to come when there was a leadership vacuum in the world, with no superpowers of any kind? Why come when the Roman Empire was in charge?
5. So many missed the coming of the Messiah even though they were “looking.” How did they miss it and how do we avoid doing the same thing when it comes to seeing where Jesus is at work? 6. Worship even when we don’t understand is so important. Share with the group some of the ways that help you worship, even when it’s hard.

HEART

1. Waiting for God to show up is so hard. How do you practice waiting and what helps?
2. What is one of your favorite parts of the birth story and why?
3. What do you think helped Jesus resist temptation and the attacks of the devil time and time again, and what can we learn from him that may help us?
4. Have you had an encounter with the resurrected Lord? If so, and you’re willing to share, please do?
5. What does it mean to you that the God of the universe wants to partner with you, to help others know just how much he loves them?

HANDS
This week, spend time reflecting on the birth, the life, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus. Even listen to Scripture being read that covers those stories. Write out what you are grateful to God for as it relates to these stories, and then use that feeling of gratitude to simply show someone in your circle of influence God’s love for them in some tangible way. Maybe it’s a random act of kindness, a note of encouragement, some help with a project. But be the hands and feet of Jesus for someone who needs it, it’s the best gift you could ever give.

LIVING WORDS FOR YOUR WEEK
I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, NLT