Point one: The joy of the Lord extends to every individual’s circumstance.
Point two: The joy of the Lord is to be expressed communally.
Point three: The joy of the Lord requires a response.
Discussion Questions:
Watch the past message, then choose questions to discuss with your Growth Group.
What was something that stood out to you from this past Sunday’s message? Share what you learned and how it will impact your life.
Read Luke 2:8-20. Why is it important that God chose shepherds to receive the glorious news of Christ’s birth?
Look at Luke 2:11. What do the titles Saviour, Christ, and Lord tell us about who Jesus is?
The shepherds, like others in scripture who meet heavenly beings, react with fear. What does this tell us about the glory of God and how we should initially respond to him?
How does the announcement of good news being given to shepherds rather than priests or kings help us understand that the good news is “for all people”?
The Gospel is good news. It dispels our fear and replaces it with great joy. What does the Gospel mean, and in what ways does it bring you joy?
Look at Luke 2:15-18. What was the reaction of the shepherds? In what ways does their response to the announcement of the birth serve as an example for our everyday lives?
In Luke 2:19, how did Mary respond to what she heard? How is her response to the shepherds model for us in our daily lives?