December 5, 2021
Body Language: Baby of Peace
The Christian hope jumps into history in the most unlikely and improbable way: a baby. Incarnation. God with us. Immanuel. And no one saw it coming.
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Songs for this week: Spotify
1 Samuel 4
Message Questions:
Take the time to read the passage with your group. I know it’s long. Pretend it’s a bedtime story (just don’t fall asleep!)
- What stands out most to you from this story?
- Describe how this story differs from the story of Matthew 1:22-23.
- How does Jesus, Immanuel, actually bring “peace on earth” and how does he bring it into a person’s life who chooses to believe Him?
- Work as a group to understand the Hebrew word “Shalom.” Are you experiencing Shalom these days? If so, what does that look like, if not, what has gotten in the way?
- Why does God put these horrific stories in the Bible?
Extend your small group discussion with the expanded guide for today’s message. It includes more questions and soul training practices for you and your small group.
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Luke 1:26-38 - This Christmas, discover how God is on the move—sending Gabriel to Mary in Nazareth and inviting ordinary people into the greatest story ever told. Explore Mary’s costly yet courageous “yes” and what it reveals about the Christian life.
Luke 1:5-17 - The first Christmas bursts to life with promise and purpose—God sets His plan in motion, beginning in Jerusalem with an elderly priest and a miraculous birth announcement. Excitement is rising, and the story is just beginning.
Mark 3:32-35 - Discover why community is the most essential practice for following Jesus. This week’s passage highlights the kind of people we’re called to walk with—those who do the will of God.
Jn. 15:5-17 - Discover how staying connected to Jesus—the true vine—produces lasting spiritual fruit. Learn how a simple Rule of Life, shaped by practices like prayer, Scripture, sabbath, solitude, community, and service, helps us remain rooted in Him.
Mark 2:17 - Jesus came to call sinners—those who know they miss the mark. Following him begins with humility and self-awareness, not perfection.
Matthew 26:36-39 - Christian practices like prayer and Sabbath quiet the noise so we can hear God’s voice and face the deeper emotions He invites us to heal.
