Hidden Christmas - Hope
Your past doesn’t define your hope; your future does.
Pastor Frank talked about his family genealogy. Share with your group a little about your background. Is there anyone famous or noteworthy?
Who in your family tree do you most resemble, and how?
Read: Matthew 1:1-17
If you were writing Jesus’ genealogy, would you have included so many notorious people the way Matthew did? Why or why not?
Matthew includes some surprises in Jesus’ family tree: women, Gentiles and sinners. Why do you think he did such an unusual thing as that?
Is there anyone in Jesus’ family tree that you identify with? If so, why?
Pastor Frank said that he thinks Matthew included infamous and unusual people in Jesus’ ancestry to give us hope. Hope that the Kingdom of God includes all people.
Why is hope such a powerful force?
What has been the difference in your life between experiencing hope and hopelessness?
As we begin the season of Advent, where are you finding hope?
Prayer: Pray Ephesians 1:18 – “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”