Christmas Presence - HOPE
What is your definition of hope? How did you arrive at that definition?
What is your experience with hope? Has it been good for you? Has it let you down?
Read: Romans 15:4.
Paul seems to think that one of scriptures main purposes is to motivate us and give us hope. Do you think that is true? How have you experienced scripture giving you hope this year?
Read: Romans 8:18-24.
All of creation waits for God to completely fulfill his promises. Is there anything that you are really looking forward to when God returns?
Read: Luke 1:26-45.
How would you respond to knowing that God would use you to fulfill his promise to creation?
Read: The Christian hope is not a cheap hope. It is not immature hope which is optimistic because it does not see the difficulties and has not the experiences of life… The Christian hope has seen everything and endured everything, and still has not despaired, because It believes in God. It Is not hope In the human spirit, In human goodness, In human achievement; It Is hope In the power of God.” – William Barclay
What part of this description of Hope stand out to you the most and why?
Pray: Lord, allow us to look to you for our hope. Help us to be people of hope here and now.