Connect How can waiting for Jesus’ return be a way to train you more-and-more in hope? 

Warm-Up

1. What aspects of Christmas do you find stressful? What about Christmas (if any) brings you peace?
2. How peaceful do you think the night Jesus was born was? Why?

Read Luke 2:8-11

3. Who gives a message to the shepherds? Why do you think the shepherds were terrified and afraid? Are there any other examples of an angel of the Lord from the Old Testament you can think of?
4. What is the message of good news? What important titles does the angel give the baby?
5. What does a “saviour” do? Why were the people of God waiting for a saviour? 
6. What type of peace did the people of God long for? What were the current clues that peace had not yet come (hint: see verse 1-3)?
7. What is shalom? How is this peace different from political peace? Who is this type of peace between?
8. Why did the people know they needed rescuing and that they could not rescue themselves?
9. Do you think you need rescuing? What do you need rescuing from? 
10. Do you ever try to rescue yourself? Why do you think you people tend to rely on themselves? 
11. What can we do to mend our relationship with God? 

Read Luke 2:11-14

12. Who does the angel say this baby is? What does “Messiah” mean? What does “the Lord” mean? 
13. What difference does it make that this Messiah is not just from the Lord, but is the Lord? 
14. Who were the people of God expecting to come and save them? How is this Messiah different to who they are expecting? What are the clues at his birth?
15. How does Jesus bring peace? How is this different from how most kings bring peace?
16. Who is this peace for? 
17. Who does God’s favour rest on? How do you know you have God’s favour?
18. Why is it important that peace is from God and not from us?
19. How does faith in Jesus as your Saviour shape your experience of peace? In what way is peace with God certain? In what ways can our experience of peace still change?
20. What helps anchor you to the peace Jesus brings, when you are in the midst of challenges and darkness?

Apply What helps remind you of the ultimate peace that Jesus brings?

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On Your Front Line this Week

Invite someone along to join you for Carols by Glowstick, this Tuesday & Wednesday night.

For Families

• Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read

• Listen (sermon): “Christmas Peace” by Tim Keller:
  https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/christmas-peace/ 
• Listen (sermon): “Heaven Comes to Earth” by Tim Sheppard:
  https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/58761/ 
• Listen (sermon): “The Gift of Peace” by Johnny Dyer:
  https://www.allsouls.org/Groups/206375/H009_Christmas_Peace.aspx?show_media=99601&show_file=109304 
• Listen (sermon): “Peace on Earth” by Glenn Nesbitt:
  https://stebbes.org/sermons/peace-on-earth/#sermons 
• Watch (video): “Shalom - Peace” by the Bible Project:
  https://bibleproject.com/videos/shalom-peace/ 

Series Resources

• Read: “Advent (Fullness of Time Series)” by Tish Harrison Warren. 📚 
• Devotional: “Sing in Exultation”” by Jonanthan Landry Cruse. 📚
• Devotional: “The One True Gift” by Tim Chester. 📚
• Devotional: “Advent for Everyone: Luke” by Tom Wright. 📚
• Read: “What Christians Ought to Believe” by Michael Bird. 📚 
• Read: “Is Christmas Unbelievable” by Rebecca McLaughlin. 📚 
• Read: “The God who Became Human” by Graham Cole. https://bit.ly/3g68RBj  
• Read: “On the Incarnation” by Athanasius. https://bit.ly/3E5gLmB  
• Watch: “The Incarnation (Spoken Word)” by Humble Word. https://bit.ly/3OhgPUP  
• Listen: A Carols Playlist (curated by the St Bart’s staff team): https://spoti.fi/3OaJsTK 

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