Welcome
Thank everyone for coming and making this group a priority in their lives.
Vision
Take 10 seconds to remind people why you are gathering. We are here to honor God and grow as disciples making disciples who are following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and joining Jesus on His mission-to reach, reconcile and restore people to Christ.
Announcements 📬
https://everynationseattle.org/announcements
Warm-Up 🔥
What's the most awkward place you could imagine for a first date, and how do you think you would handle the situation if it actually happened?
Sermon Recap 🎬
Pastor Perry discusses the significance of Jesus' birth through a cosmic and spiritual lens in his sermon. He highlights that Jesus' birth was not only a historical event but also a cosmological occurrence announced by celestial signs, while emphasizing the spiritual warfare surrounding it. Pastor Perry encourages believers to recognize the ongoing battle against the accuser, reminding them that victory lies in the blood of the Lamb and the power of their testimony. He concludes with a charge to confidently proclaim God's goodness and share their experiences of His grace as they head into the New Year.
Suggested Discussion Guide
Please choose ahead of time which of the following questions you want to use for your c-group.
Prayer 🙏(15 min)
Worship and thank God for who you have seen him today through the passage and/or the discussion. Pray for one another.
Prayer Prompts:
Thank everyone for coming and making this group a priority in their lives.
Vision
Take 10 seconds to remind people why you are gathering. We are here to honor God and grow as disciples making disciples who are following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and joining Jesus on His mission-to reach, reconcile and restore people to Christ.
Announcements 📬
https://everynationseattle.org/announcements
Warm-Up 🔥
What's the most awkward place you could imagine for a first date, and how do you think you would handle the situation if it actually happened?
Sermon Recap 🎬
Pastor Perry discusses the significance of Jesus' birth through a cosmic and spiritual lens in his sermon. He highlights that Jesus' birth was not only a historical event but also a cosmological occurrence announced by celestial signs, while emphasizing the spiritual warfare surrounding it. Pastor Perry encourages believers to recognize the ongoing battle against the accuser, reminding them that victory lies in the blood of the Lamb and the power of their testimony. He concludes with a charge to confidently proclaim God's goodness and share their experiences of His grace as they head into the New Year.
Suggested Discussion Guide
Please choose ahead of time which of the following questions you want to use for your c-group.
- What do the celestial signs mentioned in the sermon tell us about the significance of Jesus' birth?
- CONTEXT: Pastor Perry shared how certain star alignments and astrological events led the Magi to recognize the birth of Jesus as royal and significant.
- ACTION: How can understanding the importance of Jesus' birth change the way you view your own life and purpose?
- In what ways does the concept of spiritual warfare, as described in the sermon, influence our daily lives as Christians?
- CONTEXT: Pastor Perry discussed how spiritual warfare surrounds Jesus' birth and continues in our lives, focusing on how the dragon represents spiritual opposition.
- ACTION: Can you identify situations in your life where you feel like you're battling spiritual forces? How can you apply what you learned about this in your personal struggles?
- Why is it important for us to have confidence in the blood of Jesus, according to the pastor's message?
- CONTEXT: The pastor emphasized that the blood of Jesus not only brings forgiveness but also empowers believers to overcome accusations from the enemy.
- ACTION: How does having confidence in the forgiveness Jesus offers change your view of yourself and your actions after making mistakes?
- What does Revelation 12:11 teach us about the power of our testimony and how it can help us in spiritual battles?
- CONTEXT: Pastor Perry highlighted that believers overcame the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, showing the importance of sharing our experiences of faith.
- ACTION: Can you think of a time when sharing your faith or testimony had an impact on yourself or someone else? How can you be more intentional about doing this?
- How can reflecting on God’s past faithfulness help us face challenges today?
- CONTEXT: Pastor Perry encouraged the congregation to look back on their experiences of God’s goodness and how it provides strength and hope for the future.
- ACTION: What are some specific moments in your life where you saw God’s faithfulness? How can recalling those moments equip you to face current difficulties?
Prayer 🙏(15 min)
Worship and thank God for who you have seen him today through the passage and/or the discussion. Pray for one another.
Prayer Prompts:
- You can reflect on how the message about forgiveness challenges you in your relationships this week.
- Think about specific individuals you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from, and pray for the strength to take those steps.
- You can ask for guidance on how to embody the love and grace discussed in the sermon in your daily interactions.
- Think about ways to serve others in your community, inspired by the call to action from the sermon, and pray for opportunities to do so.