December 11, 2022
Discussion Questions:
-What’s your favorite “unexpected” detail in the Christmas story?
What’s one unexpected way God has worked in your life lately?
-Through a divine visitation, Joseph is assured that Mary’s pregnancy is not the result of infidelity but of divine providence. And because of that, God calls Joseph to take two decisive steps: accept Mary & give her son a name.
What would it “cost” Joseph to go ahead and marry Mary?
Sometimes following God will require risky obedience. Can you recall a time when you were certain that God was nudging you toward this kind of obedience? How did you respond?
-Matthew says that Joseph was a just man. Russell talked about the tension Joseph felt between obedience to the law and protecting Mary. There is the sense that Joseph took the path of obedience with compassion.
What do you think of the phrase, ‘obedience with compassion’? What images/examples come to mind?
-Verse 21 contains the most important part of the Angel’s revelation – Jesus’ name revealed his purpose: God himself was coming to earth with the goal of saving people from sin and its consequences.
Who do you know needs Christ’s salvation? How might you share the good news of Jesus with that person?
Will you take time to pray for those people now as a group?