Read: Luke 2:1-20
Merry Christmas. May the joy brought through Christ's birth fill your heart today.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
December 17, 2011
Read: Matthew 1:24-25, Romans 10:1-13 (Advent Reading: 2 Samuel 7:23-29)
What does it mean to be saved from your sins? How is this accomplished?
In what ways does Joseph model for us what it means to trust and follow Christ?
How do you think being a Christian should impact the way Christmas is celebrated?
What does it mean to be saved from your sins? How is this accomplished?
In what ways does Joseph model for us what it means to trust and follow Christ?
How do you think being a Christian should impact the way Christmas is celebrated?
Friday, December 16, 2011
December 16, 2011
Read: Matthew 1:21-23, Colossians 1:15-23, Ephesians 2:1-10 (Advent Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-16)
How does Christmas relate to the cross? (i.e. message from the angel)
What is at stake if we only focus on the birth of Christ at Christmas?
How do you see culture gradually changing and reducing the significance of Christmas today? Why?
How does Christmas relate to the cross? (i.e. message from the angel)
What is at stake if we only focus on the birth of Christ at Christmas?
How do you see culture gradually changing and reducing the significance of Christmas today? Why?
Thursday, December 15, 2011
December 15, 2011
Read: Matthew 1:1-20, Luke 3:23-37, Jeremiah 22:24-30 (Advent Reading: Psalm 80:1-7)
What is the difference between Luke’s and Matthew’s genealogy listings for Jesus? Why is this important?
What do you know about Jechoniah that would pose a problem for him to be listed? (i.e., Matthew 1:11-12)
Why is the virgin birth necessary to solve this problem? (Hint: bypass Jechoniah’s curse)
What is the difference between Luke’s and Matthew’s genealogy listings for Jesus? Why is this important?
What do you know about Jechoniah that would pose a problem for him to be listed? (i.e., Matthew 1:11-12)
Why is the virgin birth necessary to solve this problem? (Hint: bypass Jechoniah’s curse)
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
December 14, 2011
Read: Matthew 1:18-23, John 3:16-17, 14:6, Mark 10:45 (Advent Reading: Zechariah 8:1-8)
How does the virgin birth relate to Christ coming to save people from their sins? (Hint: sinless sacrifice)
What does this say about Jesus’ role and purpose for Christmas?
Consider how your Christmas celebration can highlight this truth and make plans on how to do it.
How does the virgin birth relate to Christ coming to save people from their sins? (Hint: sinless sacrifice)
What does this say about Jesus’ role and purpose for Christmas?
Consider how your Christmas celebration can highlight this truth and make plans on how to do it.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
December 13, 2011
Read: Matthew 1:18-20, 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 (Advent Reading: Isaiah 29:17-24)
Describe why Adam and Jesus have similar birth stories. In what way are they very different?
How can Adam’s birth help you explain the miracle of Jesus’ birth?
How does the virgin birth of Jesus relate with how God works in the life of a Christian? (Hint: supernatural)
Describe why Adam and Jesus have similar birth stories. In what way are they very different?
How can Adam’s birth help you explain the miracle of Jesus’ birth?
How does the virgin birth of Jesus relate with how God works in the life of a Christian? (Hint: supernatural)
Monday, December 12, 2011
December 12, 2011
Read: Matthew 1:18-20, John 1:1-14 (Advent ReAding: Psalm 42)
How is Jesus described before the first Christmas? What was his role?
What are the implications of this truth when compared to other religious leaders of the past or present?
In what way does this elevate your perspective of Jesus and celebrating Christmas?
How is Jesus described before the first Christmas? What was his role?
What are the implications of this truth when compared to other religious leaders of the past or present?
In what way does this elevate your perspective of Jesus and celebrating Christmas?
Saturday, December 10, 2011
December 10, 2011
Read: 1 Peter 1:1-9 (Advent Reading: Luke 3:1-18)
What perspective does Peter give his readers in order to help them endure challenging times?
How does this once again relate to the principle of God working in challenging times?
Describe a time of personal spiritual growth and surrounding circumstances. What do you see?
What perspective does Peter give his readers in order to help them endure challenging times?
How does this once again relate to the principle of God working in challenging times?
Describe a time of personal spiritual growth and surrounding circumstances. What do you see?
Friday, December 9, 2011
December 9, 2011
Read: Genesis 37:12-26, 39:1-23, 41:1-43 (Advent Reading: Psalm 146:5-10)
What is especially important about Joseph’s journey when it comes to trusting God?
How would you have been tempted to respond differently if you were in Joseph’s situation?
How does timing and patience play into the struggle? What specifically is God teaching you?
What is especially important about Joseph’s journey when it comes to trusting God?
How would you have been tempted to respond differently if you were in Joseph’s situation?
How does timing and patience play into the struggle? What specifically is God teaching you?
Thursday, December 8, 2011
December 8, 2011
Read: 2 Corinthians 11:24-12:10 (Advent Reading: Psalm 21)
How does Paul describe his many challenges in light of spiritual growth and a walk with the Lord?
What does this teach you about expectations and how to recognize God’s leading?
Consider a Christmas challenge you will be facing this year and ask God for His perspective.
How does Paul describe his many challenges in light of spiritual growth and a walk with the Lord?
What does this teach you about expectations and how to recognize God’s leading?
Consider a Christmas challenge you will be facing this year and ask God for His perspective.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
December 7, 2011
Read: 1 Samuel 23:7-24:22 (Advent Reading: Matthew 22:34-46)
Knowing God promised David would be the next king, how could he have responded to Saul’s resistance?
In what way was David trusting in the Lord rather than taking things into his own hands?
How well do you do in difficult situations and trusting God? Why? What are you learning about faith?
Knowing God promised David would be the next king, how could he have responded to Saul’s resistance?
In what way was David trusting in the Lord rather than taking things into his own hands?
How well do you do in difficult situations and trusting God? Why? What are you learning about faith?
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
December 6, 2011
Read: Luke 1:5-25, 57-66 (Advent Reading: Matthew 22:23-33)
In what way was Zechariah & Elizabeth’s experience similar to Joseph & Mary’s experience? (i.e. Monday’s devotional)
Why do you think God does His greatest work during challenging times?
How do you typically feel during the Christmas season? How are Zechariah & Elizabeth an encouragement?
In what way was Zechariah & Elizabeth’s experience similar to Joseph & Mary’s experience? (i.e. Monday’s devotional)
Why do you think God does His greatest work during challenging times?
How do you typically feel during the Christmas season? How are Zechariah & Elizabeth an encouragement?
Monday, December 5, 2011
December 5, 2011
Read: Matthew 1:18-24 (Advent Reading: Luke 1:57-80)
Why would Joseph have been tempted to divorce Mary when he found out she was pregnant?
Why would Mary’s pregnancy have been especially challenging? (i.e. cultural implications)
What can we learn about God, given He provided the Savior of the world through difficult circumstances?
Why would Joseph have been tempted to divorce Mary when he found out she was pregnant?
Why would Mary’s pregnancy have been especially challenging? (i.e. cultural implications)
What can we learn about God, given He provided the Savior of the world through difficult circumstances?
Saturday, December 3, 2011
December 3, 2011
Read: Numbers 20 (Advent Reading: Matthew 22:15-22)
What were the set of circumstances?
How did the leaders respond? Why was this an issue for God?
What does this teach you? How does it motivate you to trust God when you might normally get frustrated or angry?
What were the set of circumstances?
How did the leaders respond? Why was this an issue for God?
What does this teach you? How does it motivate you to trust God when you might normally get frustrated or angry?
Friday, December 2, 2011
December 2, 2011
Read: Exodus 17:1-7 (Advent Reading: Matthew 22:1-14)
Here we see the 1st historical account of Meribah & Massah. What was going on? What were God’s people doing?
What was God’s purpose for their current circumstance?
How do you handle trials and disappointment? What can you learn from this?
Here we see the 1st historical account of Meribah & Massah. What was going on? What were God’s people doing?
What was God’s purpose for their current circumstance?
How do you handle trials and disappointment? What can you learn from this?
Thursday, December 1, 2011
December 1, 2011
Read: Psalm 95:8-11 (Advent Reading: Matthew 21:33-46)
How has the tone changed from the first seven verses? What is being communicated by this sudden transition?
What is the major warning here and how does it relate to the first seven verses?
How does God react? How does that challenge your thinking? Do you need to realign any values?
Which of these two sections creates the biggest issue for you? Pray and ask God for the grace to grow in that area.
How has the tone changed from the first seven verses? What is being communicated by this sudden transition?
What is the major warning here and how does it relate to the first seven verses?
How does God react? How does that challenge your thinking? Do you need to realign any values?
Which of these two sections creates the biggest issue for you? Pray and ask God for the grace to grow in that area.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)