Main Scripture Reference - Luke Isaiah 9:1-2

Other Scripture References: Luke 2:8-11; Isaiah 9:6-7

INTRO–‘What Are You Expecting?’

Preparing for Christmas can be quite challenging and can bring twists and turns that you did not expect. You might have already been expecting the best for this Christmas and all of a sudden found yourself in the midst of pain, and instead of shouting for joy found yourself thinking, I didn’t ask for this. Well Christmas may have brought the unexpected to your life whether people related, family related, or job related, but even in the midst of the unexpected you still can fully expect God to show up because that is what Christmas is truly about.

• How has Christmas been a challenge to you so far this year?


• What are you currently waiting on God to do in your life? How patient are you in waiting for God to show up?

STEP #1–‘God Will Show Up Nevertheless’Read Isaiah 9:1-2

If you think preparing for Christmas this year was hard, the prophet Isaiah prepared his people for the first Christmas hundreds of years prior and wrote about the Messiah in truly tough times filled with uncertainty of life and survival. And in the midst of this trouble Isaiah uses a word that you can still use today to stand on the promise and power of God. That word is nevertheless. No matter what you are struggling to overcome, no matter what life issues have come your way, no matter how bleak life can be, nevertheless God will show up! Christmas is God’s vivid reminder that in the midst of uncertainty God shows up to bring you peace, joy, power, hope, and salvation.

• Have you ever been surrounded by uncertainty or pain but nevertheless God showed up? What happened?


• What is one big “unknown” you are facing right now? Do you believe God will show up on your behalf?

STEP #2–‘In Ordinary Days’Read Luke 2:8-9

The amazing thing is that God not only shows up in your life right when you need God, but that God shows up on ordinary days in your ordinary life in ways you can’t even imagine. Sometimes it is the ordinary routine of life that can cause you to become less focused on God and more focused on yourself or your problems. But just like in the story of the shepherds, God lives in the unexpected and can break through your ordinary life to bring you extraordinary blessing.

• How do you feel about your ordinary every day life? How do you stay focused on being faithful?


• Describe a time God broke through your normal life routine and did something unexpected.


• Name how God is guiding you or beginning to show you right steps for your life. Are you taking steps in that direction?

STEP #3–‘To Bring New Life’Read Luke 2:10-11 & Isaiah 9:6-7

But God doesn’t just break through for God’s benefit. God shows up to bring you life. God shows up in the midst of despair to bring hope. God shows up in the midst of pain to bring healing. God shows up in the midst of confusion to bring guidance. God shows up in the midst of death to bring life and light to all who will accept this free gift from God.

• How is God bringing new life to you?


• How can you live your daily life trusting God more and expecting God to transform your journey into “nevertheless” kind of days?