Life Group - Study Guides

The time between that last book of the Old Testament and the New Testament is referred to as “the 400 years of silence.” From the time that Isaiah prophesied of the virgin birth as a sign of the coming Messiah until the birth of Jesus was approximately 700 years. A steadfast hope that God is Who He says He is and will do what He says He will do, kept the Israelites looking for the Promised One. What are you waiting for today? What hope do you have or need?

The carols and Nativity scenes all depict a silent, peaceful night. Yet there was conflict, fear, and chaos swirling around the Christ Child and the region of Bethlehem. Between schedules, financial pressures, far-flung families, and diverse personalities, the Christmas season can bring its own worries and conflict. But God encourages us to live in peace and dispense grace.

It’s almost time for Christmas, and the season can be crazy! In all the busyness, it can be difficult to slow down and take direction from God when our schedules seem to dictate our direction. It can be difficult to trust God and remain faithful to what He has asked of us. As we look at the events of the first Christmas, we see many people who heard from God very directly, but in different ways. In this study, we will talk about how we can stay grounded and rooted in God’s Word and His promises.

During Thanksgiving gatherings, we often ask friends and family around the table to think about a few things for which they are genuinely grateful. Take time to do that before your holiday meal. As you reflect on God’s provision in these and other areas in your life, can you see (perhaps in hindsight) that He has always provided for you, in every situation? Choose to give thanks, not only this week, but with your whole heart and life.

What would you do with one million dollars? You’d probably put some in savings, invest some, pay off some bills and debts, things like that. But somewhere, at some time, you would be generous and give some away, either to a friend, a family member, or a stranger. Yet when we feel we have only a few precious dollars or possessions, we cling tightly to them. God wants us to be generous, so He can be generous right back to us.

Have you ever been proud to be a part of a group? You might have been selected for the Honor Society, Varsity Team, or made Eagle Scout. Maybe you made the President’s Club for top sales. Is there a point where pride in real accomplishments conflicts with our allegiance to God’s kingdom? Is there a tension between pleasing that boss or the cool kid … and doing what we know is right? Let’s talk about it this week.

Strange that we are talking about identity issues on a week where many of us are “playing pretend” and dressing up as Marvel heroes, Disney princesses, or scary creatures. In reality, we all wear masks, striving to make others believe we are someone we are not. Finding our true selves begins with a revelation from God, pertaining to our lives and situations.

The little things we surround ourselves with make an impact. Just as a seed grows in good conditions, we thrive when we create a healthy environment. This week we shifted focus away from distractions and obstacles and onto building God’s Kingdom in us. How do we position ourselves to be blessed with fruitful lives and understanding?

Jesus spent much of His time on earth teaching us about the Kingdom of God, praying for its advent, and telling us how to live with a kingdom mindset. Have you ever wondered what you need to be doing to bring about the kingdom of God? There are some easy answers to that question!

King Solomon is said to be the wisest man who ever ruled. God made him a promise: “Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you” (1 Kings 3:12b, ESV). The book of Proverbs is Solomon’s collected teachings, inspired by God and written down for our benefit. Let’s study what God says about how to be teachable, seeking after His wisdom and truth.