Weekly Reading for December 8 – 14
Preparing for Next Week’s Message
Sermon Series: Home for ChristmasSermon Title: Stories Are Told
This reading plan will get your heart and mind set for the next message on December 15, 2024:
- SUNDAY: John 1,
- MONDAY: John 2,
- TUESDAY: John 3,
- WEDNESDAY: John 4,
- THURSDAY: John 5,
- FRIDAY: John 6,
- SATURDAY: John 1,
Reflecting on the Most Recent Sermon
Sermon Series: Home for ChristmasSermon Title: Gifts Are Given and Received
Delivered On: December 8, 2024
VIEW SERMON NOTES
Memorize and Reflect
Matthew 2:11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Prayer Direction
Thank God for the best gift ever, the coming of Jesus so we can have a relationship with God that lasts forever. Ask God to help you know how you can give a gift to Jesus this Christmas to honor Him for His incarnation and for coming to earth to save you. Pray that your focus this Christmas will be on the gift of Jesus more than all the other gifts.“Live It!” Challenge
Give a First Gift — At Shoreline, we talk about giving our first and best gift to Jesus at Christmas. Prayerfully commit to giving your best gift toward Shoreline’s outreach ministries for next year (you can use the special envelopes or the tab on the online giving).Small Group Discussion
What is one of the most memorable or meaningful gifts you have ever received or given?
Read: Matthew 2:1-8. What are some of the unique, surprising, or strange ways God worked in this account of the birth of Jesus?
What clues and images of who Jesus is, do we find in this passage?
Jesus is the King and ruler of all. How are you experiencing Jesus as the leader and ruler of your life?
What is one part of your life that you need to surrender more fully to Jesus, and how can your group members pray for you to do this and cheer you on as you grow in this area of your faith?
Read: Matthew 2:9-12. What do you learn about the hearts and attitudes of these wise men as you read this passage?
Why do you think they took such risks and made great sacrifices to meet Jesus?
What are the risks and sacrifices that God calls us to make today as we follow Jesus? How does this kind of bold following grow our faith?
Jesus brings love, hope, peace, and eternity. How are you experiencing one of these this Christmas, and how can you share it with people in your life who need to meet Jesus?