“Shepherd, Not Conqueror”
Message Recap
Many hoped for a Messiah who would overthrow oppressors and claim a throne with force. Instead, Jesus arrived as a Shepherd — guiding, protecting, lifting up the broken and wandering. His strength was tender. His leadership was personal. His power looked like compassion.
Ice Breaker:
• Describe your week as a weather forecast.
• Who was a shepherd-like figure when you were growing up?
• Share a time when you picked the wrong “shepherd”.
Questions for the Heart:
• What part of Jesus’ shepherd-like nature brings you comfort right now?
• Where might He be gently leading you in this season?
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The Waiting — A Reading on Peace
Scripture: Luke 1:26–38
A Gentle Reflection
Mary stood in a moment that held uncertainty, wonder, fear, and promise all at once. She didn’t receive a full explanation — she received an invitation to trust. Her peace wasn’t rooted in her understanding of the plan, but in the presence of the One who held the plan.
Jesus came quietly, like a shepherd, reminding us that God often works through stillness rather than spectacle. Peace enters not when life becomes simple, but when we recognize that God is nearby.
Questions for Reflection
• How can you create small moments of stillness to welcome God’s peace this week?
• When has God met you gently in a season of waiting?
• What part of Mary’s faith helps guide your own?