December 26, 2021
Body Language | The After Party
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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Luke 2:21-35
Message Questions:
- Do a little research on the Jewish requirements for baby boys being born and purification rites for new moms. What were all those requirements saying to the parents?
- What has God clearly told you to do? Beyond seeing obedience as drudgery, what might God be saying to you through what he’s asked you to do?
- Simeon had “the Holy Spirit on him.” The Holy Spirit had revealed to him he wouldn’t die before he saw the Messiah. He was “moved by the Spirit.” Can you relate to Simeon? What, if any, is your experience of the Holy Spirit?
- Salvation will come from this baby! Explain what people might have imagined that to look like and then explain what you understand salvation to include.
- “This child is destined to cause the rising and falling of many in Israel, and to be a sign spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.” None of us likes a hard time but we seem to be promised it here. How do you navigate the difficulties that come your way for believing in Jesus?
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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Recent Sermons
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.
Mark 1:35 - Jesus modelled a life of restraint and rhythm, showing us how to live with peace and purpose even amid urgency through the practices he shared.
Luke 6:39-49 - Jesus reminds us that we all have teachers shaping us. Some lead us astray, but when we follow him, we learn to live as we were truly meant to.
Romans 12:1-2 - Jesus’ invitation is to follow him: to be with him, become like him, and do what he did. We surrender control to Jesus, resist the pattern of the world that shapes us, and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit for transformation.
Mark 1:16-18 -We begin our series on Practicing the Way—exploring how Jesus’ rhythms of prayer, fasting, solitude, and Sabbath invite ordinary people to grow in grace and intimacy with God
Acts 17:16-34 -Paul shares the hope of Jesus in everyday language, guiding seekers toward truth and showing where their search for God had gone astray.
