Which statement best represents your Christmas shopping style: 1. I buy presents throughout the year and finish early. 2. I have barely started and am hoping I will be be able to find something for everyone on my list.

What part of the Christmas story is most impactful to you?

Describe how you felt the first time you experienced the Love of God. What in the Bible do you think has helped you get a greater revelation of the Love of God? Consider Romans 8:31-39 as you reflect.

How does our response to God determine the way he responds to us? Who in the Bible demonstrated that principle?

Consider the prophet Jonah’s response to God. Even when he did obey God, he did it begrudgingly and without thankfulness. How did his attitude affect the way that God responded to him?

Now consider king David. How could you describe his attitude toward God? What do you know about David’s life that may have helped him develop a heart of love toward God?

What did the star symbolically represent to the wise men? What do you think their attitudes toward God and what He was doing were like as they were following the star?

In our society today, what are the benefits of humility? What, if any, are the disadvantages of humility?

Read Philippians 2:3-11. How was Jesus our example of humility? In what ways was he humble? What do you think Jesus did because of His humility, and how do you think it fueled his relationship with His Father and allowed Him to do miracles?

Who else in the Bible stands out to you because of their humility?

In what ways did the wise men demonstrate an act of humility when they entered the house where Jesus was?

Why is giving connected to humility?

Have you ever caught yourself not acting in humility toward God? What do you think are some symptoms that you have moved your heart out of a place of humility? What can you do to move back to an attitude of humility?

Where do you prefer to do your Christmas shopping: online or in store? Why?

What is one dream for your life that you actively believing for?

What was significant about God’s plans for Mary? How do you think understanding that God’s plans were bigger than her plans helped Mary throughout her life?

What did Mary’s song to the Lord reveal about her understanding that God’s plans were bigger than her plans?

What excuses could Mary have given the angel or herself?

What excuses do you give when you start to dream about your future? Why do you think it is so easy to discount our own abilities? How can looking at your own abilities wrongly limit your capacity to dream?

What did Pastor Nathan say are the two lies the devil wants us to believe? Why are both of these examples of wrong thinking? What can you do to correct your thinking if you fall into one of those categories?

After receiving the news from the angel, what did Mary fix her thoughts on? Read Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT). What do you think it means to “fix” your thoughts? What evidence will our lives have if our thoughts are fixed on God?

Why is it so important for us to put our thoughts on the Lord? What can happen if we try to draw strength from our own abilities?

What happens when we behold the obstacles in our life?

Why does trusting God even when we can’t see the whole plan fuel our faith?

How does it feel to have your faith tested? Share a time when your faith was tested and what you did to build your faith during that time.

Where do you find your strength? What have you tried to use as a substitute for the grace and strength of God? Why can’t those things help us achieve the incredible plans God has for us?

If you are comfortable, share with the group something that you are believing for that requires the strength of God. Encourage each other by sharing the ways that you are encouraging yourself in the Lord as you stand firm in faith!

What is your favorite Christmas cookie?

Would you rather get one big present, or many smaller presents?

Why did Zechariah’s response provoke the angel to cause Zechariah to be mute? What did it reveal about His mindset toward the miraculous?

How does what we meditate on affect our ability to believe the Word of God? Describe a time when you had to fix your thinking to align with the Word of God?

What is the difference between ordinary and normal? What does it mean to confront the ordinary thinking in your life? How does understanding that the Word, not our situation or our earthly perspective, is truth affect your mentality toward your thoughts and feelings?

Why do you think it was Zechariah’s ability to speak that was inhibited in this situation?

Which do you find more difficult to control, your thoughts or your words? Does one lead to the other?

Why do Christians have to guard their mouths even more than unsaved people? What risks do we face when we choose not to master our speech?

How was Mary’s response different than Zechariah’s response to the angel’s news? Why did God honor Mary and remove Zechariah's ability to speak?

Why did Mary choose to go to Elizabeth’s house? How did Elizabeth’s response confirm that she was a good choice?

Consider the book of Job. What did Job’s decision not to curse God after he lost nearly everything reveal about his thoughts and words?

How would you describe Job’s friends’ response to his situation? (Job 4:7-8, Job 8:20) What did it reveal about their thoughts toward God? What do you think a good circle of friends should have done for Job? How did their negativity ultimately affect Job?

What qualities do you look for in a Godly friend? Describe one quality you are feeling challenged to work on in yourself.