Week of December 15, 2024 – Revealed: Week 3: Shepherds – Overlooked to Overwhelmed

Small Group Study Guide

Ice Breaker Questions

1.  What’s the best news that you’ve ever received? How did you react?
2. Imagine you were the one tasked with telling others about the Angel’s message. How would you convince people to believe you?

Scripture Passages

• Matthew 2:8-20 – The story of the Shepherds and the angels. 

• Luke 6:20 – Jesus tells us the poor are blessed.

• Matthew 11:28-29 – Jesus gives rest to all who are weary. 

• Romans 3:23 – All have sinned in the eyes of the Lord.

Discussion Questions

• Scriptural Reflection:

• • How did the shepherds respond to the Angel’s message?

• • What did the multitude of angels do after the first angel spoke?

• Personal Connection:

• • When have you received surprising or life-changing news? How did you react?

• • Have you ever experienced a moment where you unexpectedly felt God’s presence? What was that like?

• Practical Implications:

• • The shepherds left their work to see Jesus. What might you need to leave behind or prioritize differently to focus more on Jesus?

• • The shepherds responded immediately to the angel’s message: what area of your life is God calling you to act on without delay?

• Celebrating His Kingship:

• • How can this “peace on earth” message impact how you live and interact with other people today?

• • The shepherds acted immediately upon hearing the good news. What might obedience to God’s message look like in your own life?

• • How does the story of Jesus’s birth deepen your understanding of God’s love and humility?

Action Steps

1. Be open to God’s interruption: Start each day asking God to open your eyes to unexpected opportunities to experience or share his work in your life.
2. Respond with obedience: Identify one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to act and act on it without delay, just as the shepherds did.
3. Share the good news: Think of one person who might need to hear about the hope and joy Jesus brings. Reach out to them this week to share an encouraging word or your testimony.
4. Celebration: Play in a small celebration or act of kindness to remind yourself and others of the joy of Christ’s birth. This could be sharing a meal, giving a gift, or writing a note encouraging someone.

Prayer:

God, thank you for the powerful reminder in your word that you choose ordinary people like shepherds to hear the extraordinary good news of Jesus’s birth. Thank you for bringing hope, joy, and peace to all people through the gift of your son. Help us, like the Shepard’s, respond to your message with Faith and obedience. May we seek Jesus urgently, share his love with others, and live lives that glorify and praise you. Fill our hearts with the joy of knowing you, and guide us to share your peace in a world that so desperately needs it. We praise you, and we give you all of the glory. And it’s in your son’s name we pray, amen.

Merry Christmas!

From our families and church staff to you, we wish you a Christ-filled Christmas! May the hope and joy of King Jesus fill your heart this season.