Do You Hear What I Hear?

Courage to Dream-Joseph

Monday, December 4                            Matthew 1:18-19

Put yourself in Joseph's shoes here. What would you be feeling, having just found out about Mary? What does it say was his response? What does it say about Joseph?

What would you say are the character attributes of Joseph, based on this story? What kind of person responds the way Joseph did? It seems that God chose Joseph, just as He chose Mary, would you agree? Why or why not?

Tuesday, December 5                                                                    Matthew 1:20-25

Again, reading this passage, what does it say about Joseph? His character? His relationship with God? We all have dreams, but following this dream would have its costs. What would those have been, considering the situation? Socially? Personally?

Have you ever had a dream that changed the way you see things? Have you ever felt like a dream was supposed to teach you something? How would you "test" that dream to see if it was from God?

Wednesday,  December  6                                                  Matthew 2:13-15

Its clear that Joseph had enough of a relationship with God to hear from Him and discern from dreams what God was trying to say. What does this dream tell him? What does the immediacy of Joseph's response say about how we should follow God's lead?

Going to Egypt was not like moving to the suburbs. It would have been difficult for a Jewish family there. Imagine you hear from God in a dream that you're supposed to move your family to Mexico City. What's your response? What would it take to be more like Joseph?

Thursday,  December  7                                                    Matthew 2:16-23

Joseph gets a lot of dreams. How is Joseph's response the same? How was it different?

Joseph had clearly not lost the ability to think or be afraid - yet he followed. What is God challenging you to do right now that you're hesitating about? What's causing you to "be afraid?" Confess that to Him, and take encouragement from Joseph - God honors those who follow His leading!

Friday,  December  8                                                                Luke 1:5-22

Contrast the way Joseph was told the story and the way Zechariah received news of John. How are these two different? What about their reactions?

Zechariah was a righteous man, as was Joseph. But Joseph was a layman, a carpenter. Yet God knew he was up to the task. He had more of a quiet integrity, not being a "priest" like Zechariah. What about your life? How are you building the character and the relationship with God like Joseph?

There's Reason to Hope

Monday, December  11                    Matthew 2:1-12

God speaks in a variety of ways. What are the three different ways that God spoke in this passage? What are the ways you most often "hear" from God? 

Its clear that there was something significant about Jesus' birth-even just from the reactions of the magi, the king, and Jerusalem. How does this story give you hope? Spend some time reflecting on the hope of this season, and thanking God.

Tuesday, December 12                                                                         Micah 5:2-5

The context of this passage is amazing. These are some of the last words of God before a period of silence. In those days, simply quoting a verse was a reference to the whole passage (in this case, at least 2-5). A good Jew would have known the rest of this passage. How does the full passage change the story?

Read verse 3-5 again. How has the greatness of Jesus reached the ends of the earth? What about verse 4? How did and have these words come true? See Romans 15:4.

Wednesday,  December  13                                                      Luke 2:8-15

This passage may be one of the most famous in all of Scripture. What is it communicating-in other words, what's the story here, in your own words?

Verse 14 gives us a window into how the angels see the situation. What do they communicate? Have you ever thought about how the favor of God rests on humanity? How does that give you hope, given the context of their proclamation? Spend some time today thinking about the heart of God in the Christmas story.

Thursday,  December  14                                                 Hebrews 10:19-25

This verse is the direct result of Christmas. What words or phrases jump out at you from this passage? Why? Read v. 24. What does it say about our hope? About the object of our hope?

What does verse 25 have to do with the rest of this passage? Why does the author of Hebrews include that as the capping thought to this whole passage on hope and confidence in God?

Friday,  December  8                                                         Psalm 147:1, 7-11

Read verse 11 again. What is our hope supposed to be in? Sometimes we get lost in hoping in what God will do. This passage encourages us to hope in who God is. It is His nature to be unfailing in love. How does Christmas communicate this truth? How can you celebrate that truth this Christmas?

Believe Anyway

Monday, December  18                  Hebrews 11:1-3, 6

What is the definition of faith given here? Who do you think ‘the ancients' refers to in this passage? What was it for which were they commended? How is your faith this season? 

Verse 6 tells us what is required to really please God-what is it? How do we need to approach God, believing what 2 things shown here?  How earnestly are you seeking Him at this time? How are you currently building your faith? 

Tuesday, December 19                                                                       Luke 1:26-38

These verses from Luke show Mary's faith lived out. Mary is a young-perhaps 14 years old. What is her ultimate response to the angel Gabriel? How would you say a younger person's faith and life experiences are better suited for the answer Mary give in verse 38 than someone who has lived longer? What would your response have been if you were visited by an Angel of the Lord?

Why do you suppose as we get older, we get more skeptical? What gives Mary the ability to respond the way she did? What is beautiful about that innocent trust in God? How can you build a little of that into your life and faith?

Wednesday,  December   20                                            John 14:1-4, 6- 7

What comfort does Jesus offer His disciples here? Consider the questions ask by His disciples in John 13:36, 14:8, 14:5, 14:22? What were they wrestling with in these questions? What faith questions trouble you? What should you do with these questions? How are you at turning to God in your faith-and doubt?

Thursday,  December  21                         Mark 2:3-5; 5:25-34, 36; 9:20-24

In these passages several of the healing miracles of Jesus are shown. What is the common thread that Jesus highlights as key to the healings? Were these problems only causing issues for the individuals afflicted? Whose faith was necessary in each case? How are you challenged by these people's need? Their faith? 

In 9:23, what is Jesus' tone as He questions the father? How are you encouraged by this simple response? Have you ever needed to pray this same prayer of the doubting dad? When and why?

Friday,  December  22                                                                        Isaiah 9:2-7

Compare this prophetic writing with New Testament passages Matthew 4:12-17, Luke 1:32 & John 8:12. How does the faith of our Old Testament fathers tie into our New Testament belief? What was the basis of their faith and what is ours? 

Read second half of Isaiah 7: 9-what is commanded? Have you experienced increased confidence since becoming a believer? List some situations of this new boldness.

Christmas: Love is Here

Monday, December  25                      Luke 2:1-7

Read this verse as a family. Who is your favorite character in the Christmas narrative? Mary? Joseph? The shepherds? The Wise Men? Why?

What is the significance of this backward way that God chose to invade our little world? Think for a moment about the idea of a King, THE King, as a newborn, helpless baby. Imagine the precarious nature of that moment. What does it say about God that He did it this way?

Tuesday, December 26                                                                         Luke 1:8-20

Imagine yourself in this story, experiencing the majesty and mystery of this moment. What are you thinking/feeling? Why? What's your reaction to v. 10-11?

Verse 14 quotes an old prophesy in saying, "peace to men, on whom His favor rests." What do you think it means that God ‘favors' men, especially considering the context? Have you ever felt 'favored' by God personally? Why or why not? How can you trust in the truth of this passage?

Wednesday,  December   27                                                         Isaiah 9:6

Think for a moment about that new, helpless baby lying in the manger, the hope and faith this child represented. Is it hard for you to go there? Why or why not?

It is powerful to think about the humility of God in His power. Read verses 1-2 and verse 6 again. How does Jesus fulfill the prophecy in 1-2? How does He fulfill all the names in verse 6? Take a moment to give God the respect and worship He deserves for the humility and grace of all this. 

Thursday,  December  28                                                  Matthew 1:20-23

What, in your mind, is the significance of the name "Immanuel," meaning "God with us?" What about Jesus' birth brings this home for you?

Immanuel means "God with us," and Matthew claims that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of that promise. What is the most significant way you can celebrate (or have celebrated)  that this Christmas?

Friday,  December  29                                                                         1 John 4:9-16

This passage speaks about God sending His Son into the world. It was a move to restore our relationship with Him. What does John say is God's driving motivation? Is that easy or hard for you to believe in your r/ship with God? Why?

According to John, God is always and forever the initiator of reconciliation and restoration when we go astray. What does John say is our response to this initiation from God? How hard do you find it to initiate reconciliation with someone you've gotten sideways with? How can Christmas encourage you?