Reasons for the Season, Part 1: “To Bless the World”
December 3, 2023

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Message Review

The Christmas season can be a bit messy because we, as human beings, are messy. However, it's precisely because of our imperfections that Christmas exists. To understand the reason for Christmas, it's important to know the background of the Christmas Story. Through sending Jesus, God initiated the process of blessing and renewing the world and invited us to restore our relationship with Him.

Main Point: God blessed the world with a unique King who came to establish a distinct kingdom.

Scripture References: Isaiah 49:6; Malachi 1:11; Galatians 4:4; Luke 1:26-28, 31-33.

Bible Study    

The focus Bible passage from the sermon was Genesis 12:1-9. Before going to the Sermon Discussion Questions, study the passage by reading through it together, then talk through it using the Inductive Bible Study Method questions that follow:

  • Context: Discuss the context of this passage (i.e. when it was written, who wrote it, who it was written to, what was going on before and/or after this specific passage, etc.)

  • Observation: What do you notice in this passage?  What words or phrases stick out to you? And why?

  • Interpretation: What was the authors original intent in this passage?  What main point(s) was he trying to communicate, and why is that important?

  • Application: What is one key takeaway or insight you had from this passage? How can or should you apply it to your life?

  • Questions: What questions/tensions do you have from this passage that you would like to discuss?

Discussion Questions

  • What were your initial thoughts or takeaways from the sermon and why?

  • Outside of your personal experience but based on personal observation, how has the coming of Jesus blessed the world?  How has it blessed you?

  • How does understanding the broader biblical narrative, starting from Abraham, change your perspective on the Christmas story?

  • Reread Genesis 12:1-3 as a group. How does this passage connect to the beginning of the Christmas story?

  • How do Abraham's story and God's promise to him relate to our lives today? 

  • Read Isaiah 49:6, Malachi 1:11, Galatians 4:4 as a group. How do these passages suggest Jesus as a blessing to the world?

  • Pastor Matt said, “If the arrival of Jesus was a blessing to the world, shouldn’t Jesus’s followers be a blessing to the world as well?” Do you think most Christians today are perceived as a blessing? Why or why not?

  • What are some challenges or obstacles Followers of Christ face in trying to be a blessing to others? How can we overcome these?

  • In what ways do you feel you are currently a blessing to those around you? Are there areas in your life where you could be more of a blessing?

To watch or listen to Sunday’s sermon, visit our Sermons page.