December 1, 2024

THE POWER OF CHRISTMAS

The Power of Hope
Icebreakers:
What's your favorite game to play around the holidays?
What's something you hoped for when you were a kid? What's something you're hoping for in your life right now?

Discussion:

1. While for some people, the holidays are joyful times of celebrating and gathering with friends and family, for other people it can be times of despair and hopelessness.
   1. What are some things people experience that can lead to a sense of despair and loss of hope?
      Leader note: trauma, loss, abandonment, financial setbacks, health problems, etc.
   2. Do you know people who have experienced any of these things?
   3. Have you experienced any of these things? Would you be willing to tell us about it?
2. Read Isaiah 9:2-7.
   1. What's the darkness the people were walking in?
      Leader note: spiritual confusion, moral corruption, fear of other nations invading them
   2. How did they fall into this darkness?
      Leader note: rebelling against God, not trusting him 
   3. What are some things they did to get out of that darkness?
      Leader note: turned to other nations to make political alliances, looked for guidance from spiritists and mediums (consulting the dead), pray to and worship false gods and idols
   4. What would the consequences of their rebellion be?
      Leader note: exile, captivity by Assyria (700's B.C.) and Babylon (500's B.C.)
   5. What is God's promise to them?
      Leader note: provide a messiah to lead them out of that darkness and into the light, initially this was through King Hezekiah and other leaders like Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, but ultimately and most fully through Jesus
3. In what ways does faith in Jesus change our lives and give us hope?
   Leader note: healing, peace, eternal confidence, truth, wisdom, Holy Spirit's presence, encouragement, etc.​

Prayer
Take time to ask for personal prayer requests and pray for each other.