Read Isaiah 53:1-12 & I Corinthians 1:23-24. Because Christmas has become the #1 self-focused consumer day in America it continues to be the church’s mission to transform this Santa Claus Jesus holiday back into the coming and reigning of the Messiah. Even though the coming of Jesus was a gift to all, he came with a sacrificial cost, a cradle with a future cross. The church also has a sacrificial mission to fill in building the kingdom of God instead of insulating ourselves from all the evil and hardships in the world.

• In your opinion, what should the church’s Christmas mission be every year?


• Do you view the gift of Christ coming to earth as a great sacrifice of God? In what ways?


• Do you feel that you insulate yourself from the evil and suffering that happens in the world? How and why do you do that?

Re-read Isaiah 53:1-3 & Acts 1:8. Even though Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, he came to this earth to a very basic family, living in very modest conditions, as an ordinary human being. He was not extraordinary either physically or socially, and was for the most part overlooked or rejected by those he came to save. However, God has a different view of beauty and influence and in the power of the Holy Spirit was able to bring healing and reconciliation to all humankind through the life, death & resurrection of Jesus.

• Do you consider yourself to be an ordinary person? Have you ever done anything extraordinary? Explain.


• How do you think God defines beauty and influence? Does it match your definition?


• What ordinary person has had an extraordinary affect or influence on your life? Who are you influencing with your life right now?

Re-Read Isaiah 53:4 & Philippians 1:29. To fully understand Jesus’ mission, you must understand that he didn’t exempt himself from life struggles, pain and suffering, or even death on a cross. Jesus knew that life was and is not fair and because of human sin and brokenness life brings some harsh realities. However, in the midst of it all, Jesus also came to show that God meets us in the middle of those hard times and brings resurrection from it.

• Do you view Jesus as someone who really struggled with a hard life? What are some of Jesus’ struggles that match what you are going through in life right now?


• Name a time God met you in the middle of a life crisis or life struggle? What did God do?

Re-read Isaiah 53:5-6; Colossians 1:21-22; Romans 5:6-10 & Philippians 3:10. This gift of Jesus was not only given in pain and suffering, but also in sacrifice. Jesus was tortured and killed because of sin. Too often people become oblivious to their own ways of selfishness, indifference, and rebellion against God, but because of sin you have become an enemy of God. Your sin is so grievous and hideous that Jesus had to die so that you could be saved from destruction and death. And it is this same sacrificial life that you are now called to live so that others might be saved and live for God. That is what Christmas is truly about.

• Do you think you are somewhat oblivious to the sin and its affects in your life? Explain.


• Do you consider your own sin to be so hideous that Jesus had to be tortured and killed to save you from death and destruction? Why or why not?


• How will you commit to living solely for God and God’s purposes this year? What sacrifices will you possibly make to do that?