Echoes of Hope: The Son

No matter what kind of problems and struggles you are facing right now, no matter what kind of season of darkness and pain you might be in, do not abandon hope. As Christians, our hope is still alive because…Immanuel, God is with us. - Pastor Dave

Open: Describe a time you felt absolutely helpless: How did you respond? In what ways did you attempt to fix the situation?     

Read: Isaiah 6-9; Matthew 1-2; Colossians 1 

Discuss:  

1. We have all had moments when we have felt helpless and hopeless. Why does the Christmas season seem to exacerbate these feelings? In what ways should these feelings actually connect us all the more to the Christmas story?  

2. Describe the hopeless situation in Isaiah 7: What is Ahaz’s, King of Judah, reaction? How does “trembled like trees of a forest shaking in the wind” beautifully describe hopeless situations?  

3. How did Ahaz attempt to fix his situation? In what ways do we freeze, fade or fix our situations? What is your natural default? Despite knowing God's promises to take care of us, why do we look to others and to ourselves instead of God? How have you seen this in your life or in the lives of those you know? 

4. God calls Isaiah to bring a message of hope. How does God, through Isaiah, taunt the enemies of Judah?  Describe the four loaded words in Isaiah 7:4: Why is it so difficult to believe at times that God is bigger than our fears? How should the presence of God cause us to stand firm in our faith regardless of the situation?  

5. God graciously offers a sign to Ahaz. What does the fact that he rejects the sign tell us about Ahaz’s character? Describe the sign: How is this sign connected to the Christmas story? 

6. How should “God with us” and “God in us” transform our perspective of life? In Colossians 1:27 Paul says, “Christ in you the hope of glory.” What is the hope of glory? 

Pray: Pray that in the most difficult moments of your life, you will stand confidently in the hope of Christ’s presence with you and in you.   

Memorize/Meditate: All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:22-23 

Echoes of Hope: Humble Child

Christmas is not something that God hid until Jesus came in the flesh. Immediately following the sinful fall, God gave a hope-filled message that promised deliverance from the curse. By coming as a humble child, God made Christmas the eviction notice of the curse of sin and death.

Open: Have you ever experienced a time when having knowledge about something that was going to happen in the future kept you confident in a present difficult moment? Describe this experience:

Read: Genesis 3; Philippians 2; 2 Corinthians 8

Discuss:

1. When you hear the phrase, “Christmas begins with a curse,” what comes to mind? Is this accurate? Why or why not? Describe the curse in Genesis 3:

2. What do you make of the fact that God curses the serpent directly, but not man or woman? What was cursed in the domains of man and woman? In what ways do we experience the weight of the curse today?

3. God gave the promise of a coming curse-breaker before giving the consequence of sin. What does this tell us about God’s character, specifically as it relates to us? Describe the promise to “crush” the serpent’s head: How is this the first declaration of the gospel?

4. Why don’t you think God destroyed Satan in the garden? In what ways can God not undo sin without undoing us? How is God’s longsuffering a picture of His desire for the salvation of many?

5. Christmas came in the most unexpected way. How did Christ humble Himself to come at Christmas? In other words, what was the perspective of Christmas in heaven?

6. How should our hope in the end of the curse cause us to live differently? What does it mean to “have this mind in you that was in Christ Jesus?” Pray that you would be so overwhelmed with God’s compassion for you that you would be compelled to fulfill God’s commission through you.

Pray: Pray for opportunities to talk about God’s compassion with others.

Memorize/Meditate: Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…Philippians 2:5 O

Jonah: When God's Mission Hurts

The reason God seeks sinners, saves sinners, and sends sinners is because God loves sinners. There is no other object of worship who loves sinners like God does. This love is our calling. Unfortunately, too often we are more concerned with our comfort than we are God’s commission. - Pastor Dave

Open: Have you ever felt so compelled to do something that nothing could have stopped you? What was it and why did you feel so strongly about it?

Read: Jonah 4; 2 Corinthians 5:16-20

1. How is God’s capacity of grace greater than our capacity to sin? In what ways is this observed throughout the book of Jonah?

2. At the end of the story, we find Jonah sitting outside the city of Nineveh. What was he expecting to happen? What does this “wait and see” posture tell us about his view of God’s salvation of Nineveh? Does Jonah ever answer God’s question?

3. God sends three illustrations to confront Jonah’s displeasure. Describe each of them: What does it tell us about Jonah that the only time we see him exceedingly happy is when God provides a plant for shade? How does our comfort get in the way of God’s call to share His compassion with a lost world?

4. The word “appointed” is repeated over and over again in the story of Jonah. God appointed a storm, fish, plant, worm, and wind. How are each of these an act of God’s gracious hand toward Jonah? How can discomfort keep us focused on our purpose and mission?

5. If we have experienced God’s compassion, how should we be compelled to accomplish His mission? In what ways do you see a superior attitude toward sinners; an inferior grasp of God’s love; and an ulterior purpose for living in Christianity today?

6. What do you make of the ending of the book of Jonah? Why do you think it ends so abruptly? How is this an invitation to fulfill God’s commission in our world today?

Pray: Pray that you would be so overwhelmed with God’s compassion for you that you would be compelled to fulfill God’s commission through you. Pray for opportunities to talk about God’s compassion with others.

Memorize/Meditate: Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord. Psalms 36:6

Jonah: God Being God

The more we understand the consistency of God’s character, the more we are consistently overwhelmed by joy regardless of our circumstances. - Pastor Dave

Open: Describe a time you were angry: Have you ever been angry with God? Explain:

Read: Jonah 4; Exodus 32-34

Discuss:

1. If the story of Jonah was about Nineveh it would have ended at Chapter 3. What makes Chapter 4 so confusing and awkward? What do you make of Jonah’s reaction to the repentance of Nineveh and the mercy of God? How has this story been more about Jonah than Nineveh?

2. It says that Jonah was “displeased” with God. What does “displeased” actually mean? Why is Jonah angry? What about God’s character makes Jonah angry? What are our default responses to emotional moments? Are you a type of person who denies, hides or reveals your emotions? What does Jonah do?

3. How is prayer a great way to deal with our emotions? God doesn’t fault Jonah for his feelings. Notice the terms connected to “I” (“I said”; “I fled”; “I knew”; “Take my life”). What does this tell us about Jonah’s thoughts concerning God’s character?

4. The beautiful phrase “You are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love…” shows up as a type of creed for His people. Describe the circumstances in Exodus 32-34 that give us God’s description of Himself with these terms: How can we know God’s character, but not submit to God’s character in moments of frustration?

5. God responds with a simple yet profound question. Where are the areas of your life right now that could leave you questioning God’s character? How are our responses a reflection of our hearts?

Pray: Pray that you would embrace God’s faithful, consistent character even at times you might not understand what He is doing.

Memorize/Meditate: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Psalm 103:8

Jonah: A Fish Called Brokeness

Jonah: Sum of All Fear

We all have things we are afraid of. And our responses can vary. But when we change the object of our fear to God, it changes the response of our fear to obedience. It’s the fear of God that sets us free from the fear of our circumstances. - Pastor Dave

Open: Have you ever been afraid of something? Describe what made you afraid and how you responded:

Read: Jonah 1; Genesis 3; Psalm 56:3; Luke 1:50

Discuss:

1. How is fear the basis of running from God? How did fear play an integral part of the sinful fall in Genesis 3? In what ways was Jonah afraid of God’s call?

2. How do our responses reveal our beliefs about fearful situations? Has there ever been a time you had a wrong response to fear? Describe how the sailors demonstrated a wrong fear and a wrong response in the beginning of Jonah: How does our tendency to take control illustrate wrong responses to fear?

3. Describe how Jonah had the right fear but wrong response: Describe God’s sovereignty: In what ways do you know that God is in control but fail to give Him control? Do you agree with this statement? “We believe that God is in control but spend most of our lives trying to get out of His control.”

4. How does Jonah’s disobedience reveal a defective fear of God? What is the difference between being afraid of God and fearing God? How do the sailors illustrate this truth (see verses 5, 10, and 16)?

5. In what ways does God “flip the focus” of our fear? Was Jonah attempting to be the hero when he told the sailors to throw him overboard? Why or why not? What are the areas of your life where you need to be less afraid and have more fear of God?

Pray: Pray for a healthy fear of the circumstances in your life and that you would respond with intentional worship and deeper commitment.

Memorize/Meditate: When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalms 56:3

Jonah: Storms of Grace

God is so committed to connecting His purpose to our lives that He graciously uses storms to keep us focused on His call. These storms have a way of revealing where our confidence actually lies. So much so that God is committed to destroying every ship that would take me away from Him. - Pastor Dave

Open: Have you ever felt like running away from home or actually did run away from home? Why or Why not? Describe the details:   

Read: Jonah 1; Proverbs 3:11-12 

Discuss:  

1. Is it true that God knows us better than we know ourselves? How have you seen this in your own life? Is it equally true that God knows how to reach us at just the right moment? In what ways have you observed this truth in your life?  

2. How does verse 4 begin a shift of Divine interruptions? What does this tell us about God’s plan to get our attention? Has God ever used Divine interruptions to get your attention? Describe some of these:  

3. What did God use to get Jonah’s attention? In what ways does it seem that God intentionally interrupts areas that we put our confidence in? Describe the power of the storm in Jonah 1?  

3. Describe the contrast between the reactions of the sailors and Jonah: How do our choices affect those around us? Why is it that people who run from God are often the last to make the connection that God is the one trying to get their attention? How do we naturally respond to these storms through logical solutions?  

4. How could Jonah be asleep during this great storm? What does this tell us about Jonah’s disobedience? Who has God used in your life to wake you up when you are running from God? How is this entire story a picture of God’s grace? Describe E+R=O (Events + Responses = Outcomes):  

Pray: Pray that you would see the storms of your life as opportunities to respond to God’s call of obedience. 

Memorize/Meditate: My son, do not despise the Lord 's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11-12

Jonah: Hiding Somewhere, Running Nowhere

Like Jonah, we all have a propensity to run and hide when God’s plan doesn’t seem to make sense. And oddly enough, there will always be a “ship heading to Tarshish.” But we learn that the God of great expenditure pursues selfish fugitives. Sin is overcome by grace; desperation is overwhelmed by deliverance; and great sin runs into a greater Savior. - Pastor Dave

Open: Have you ever played hide and seek? Where was a favorite place to hide? Why?  

Read: Jonah 1; 2 Kings 14; Nahum 3:1-4; Psalm 139:1-12 

Discuss:  

1. Have you ever tried to run or hide from God? Why or Why not? Describe what running from God looks like: What were the circumstances that caused you to run from God?  

2. Describe Jonah’s resume: How was his success as a prophet unique? How does this reality fit into the story of Jonah as a whole?  

3. Describe the relationship between Israel and Assyria (Ninevah): Why did Jonah go to such great lengths to avoid going to Ninevah? What does it say to you that a city like Ninevah was a part of God’s plan? 

4. Notice the use of words like “Arise” (vs. 2); “come up” (vs. 2); “rose” (vs. 3); “went down” (vs. 3). Describe the use of these words in the text. How do these words describe Jonah’s intentional disobedience? 

5. All of us have “that thing” that could cause us to run. For Jonah it was Ninevah...What is it or what could it be in your life that would cause you to run and hide? 

Pray: Pray that you would turn from the areas where you are running from God and rekindle your relationship afresh and anew. 

Memorize/Meditate: Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? Psalm 139:7

We Are One

The church isn’t perfect. It’s filled with many “spots” and “wrinkles.” But when we experience the unity and power of the gospel, the church becomes a place that displays God’s glory. Unity reveals His character and power accomplishes His mission

Open: Have you ever attempted to accomplish a task alone only to find it much easier when you had help? Describe the situation: How did having someone help you make the task easier and more enjoyable?

Read: John 17; Ephesians 5; 1 Corinthians 1

Discuss:

1. In Ephesians 5, Paul describes a future moment when the church will be “without spot or wrinkle.” What “spots” and “wrinkles” do you see in the church in general today? In what ways have these observations changed throughout the years? How have you experienced these personally? How have you caused some of these imperfections?

2. We live in an increasingly connected, yet fragmented society. While we are more connected than ever, we are also lonelier than ever. Do you believe this is true? Why or why not? How does this effect the mission and ministry of the church? How does this make being a part of the church more difficult?

3. Paul describes the importance of unity in 1 Corinthians 1. How is unity a reflection of Christ? How is unity more than mere agreement of beliefs? How is the unity of the church centered on the gospel of Christ? How does this fulfill Christ’s prayer in John 17?

4. How does the world view wisdom and power? How is the gospel of Christ foolishness in the world’s eyes? How does God demonstrate His power in the foolishness of the gospel?

5. How does the power of the gospel give us the power to live on mission? What are the areas of your life where you feel inadequate? How could this be seen as a moment to “boast in the Lord’s power”? How is the church the demonstration of God’s power? Pray for Crossroads to be unified in purpose and effective in mission.

Pray: Pray for your commitment to join God’s role in His gospel mission.

Memorize/Meditate: But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

Legacy: What Are You Passing?

What are we passing to the next generation? Is it merely better economic standards, educational opportunities, and endless entertainment options? What if a better life isn’t the best? God calls us to invest in the next generation…so that they don’t merely survive life, but surrender to the wonder and majesty of God.

Open: Describe a tradition that you have in your family? How long has this tradition existed? What do you like most about the tradition?

Read: Judges 1-2; Deuteronomy 6:1-15

Discuss:

1. What do you find most different about the next generation? How did the previous generation find your generation unique? What makes generational transfer so difficult?

2. Describe the context of Judges 1-2: Joshua exhorts the people of Israel to remember God. But Judges 2 says that the next generation did not follow God. How is there a level of responsibility placed upon the previous generation to lead the next generation spiritually? In what ways did Israel fail to do this?

3. Deuteronomy 6 describes a process for leading and training the next generation. List some of the ways we are urged to engage the next generation: In what ways do we complicate this? Have you ever heard the expression, “I miss the good ‘ole days”? While true, how can this complicate our impact to the next generation?

4. How important is it to share stories of God’s faithfulness? How do you see a deficiency of sharing God’s faithfulness in Christianity today? What are some examples from your story that would be important to pass to the next generation?

5. When you consider the next generation, what do you see us passing onto them? Spend some time considering how you are leading and investing in the next generation. What are some ways you can encourage, exhort and cheer for them?

Pray: No matter your age, pray that you would be an encouragement and blessing to the next generation. Ask God to give you someone from the next generation to encourage, exhort and cheer. Read:

Memorize/Meditate: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:4-7