December 22 – 28

Weekly Reading for December 22 – 28

Preparing for Next Week’s Message

Sermon Series: Christmas Perspectives
Sermon Title: Through the Eyes of Modern Day Christians

This reading plan will get your heart and mind set for the next message on December 29, 2019:


Reflecting on the Most Recent Sermon

Sermon Series: Christmas Perspectives
Sermon Title: Through the Eyes of the Angels
Delivered On: December 22, 2019

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Memorize and Reflect

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:15)


Prayer Direction

Ask God to open your eyes to see the many ways He still reveals himself in our world. Thank God that you do not need to walk or live in fear since Jesus, the Savior of the World has come. Pray that this Christmas you will worship Jesus, the Savior, with more passion and joy than you ever have before.


“Live It!” Challenge

Welcome Back: Pray about one person you love and care about who used to go to church but has wandered away. If this person lives in the Monterey area, give a call, send a text, or send them some other kind of invitation to a Christmas Eve service (2:30pm, 4pm, & 5:30pm). If they live out of the area, go online and find a great Bible-believing church near where they live and send them the service time and encourage them to attend. Be sure to make this invitation prayerfully and with graciousness.


Small Group Discussion

  1. Tell about how you were introduced to the Christmas story. Were you I children’s Christmas plays or pageants? Did you watch TV shows about the birth of Jesus? Was it parents reading the Bible to you? How did you understand this story as you first learned it?

  2. When you think of the manger scene today, what does it mean to you that God left the glory of heaven and came to earth just to show you the way to salvation and a relationship with the Father?

  3. Read: Matthew 1:18-25. Imagine you were Joseph. Be very serious and practical about this. How do you think you might have responded had you been in Joseph’s situation?

  4. What do you learn about Joseph’s faith and trust in God through this passage?

  5. Read: Luke 1:26-38. Now imagine you were in Mary’s situation and an angel just showed up and brought you this message. How do you think you would have responded?

  6. What do you learn about Mary’s faith and trust in God through this passage? How can her example inspire you?

  7. Read: Luke 2:8-15. Imagine you were one of the shepherds, just doing your job and minding your own business, and angels show up and bring this message. How might you have responded?

  8. What do you learn from the way the shepherds responded to this heavenly announcement? How might their faith encourage you to grow in faith and follow God’s leading more closely?

  9. When God speaks, leads, and calls us…what gets in the way of us following His leading? What gives you courage to follow God’s leading, even when it is challenging and stretches you?

  10. God calls us to share his message of good news, joy, and peace with the world. What is one way you can share the amazing message of Jesus this Christmas season?

  11. Tell about how you were introduced to the Christmas story. Were you I children’s Christmas plays or pageants? Did you watch TV shows about the birth of Jesus? Was it parents reading the Bible to you? How did you understand this story as you first learned it?

  12. When you think of the manger scene today, what does it mean to you that God left the glory of heaven and came to earth just to show you the way to salvation and a relationship with the Father?

  13. Read: Matthew 1:18-25. Imagine you were Joseph. Be very serious and practical about this. How do you think you might have responded had you been in Joseph’s situation?

  14. What do you learn about Joseph’s faith and trust in God through this passage?

  15. Read: Luke 1:26-38. Now imagine you were in Mary’s situation and an angel just showed up and brought you this message. How do you think you would have responded?

  16. What do you learn about Mary’s faith and trust in God through this passage? How can her example inspire you?

  17. Read: Luke 2:8-15. Imagine you were one of the shepherds, just doing your job and minding your own business, and angels show up and bring this message. How might you have responded?

  18. What do you learn from the way the shepherds responded to this heavenly announcement? How might their faith encourage you to grow in faith and follow God’s leading more closely?

  19. When God speaks, leads, and calls us…what gets in the way of us following His leading? What gives you courage to follow God’s leading, even when it is challenging and stretches you?

  20. God calls us to share his message of good news, joy, and peace with the world. What is one way you can share the amazing message of Jesus this Christmas season?