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Discussion Questions How does being "in Christ" (also called Union with Christ) differ from believing things about Jesus, admiring him, or trying to imitate him? How does baptism serve as a reminder of our Union with Christ?  What is the difference between God’s pleasure in us because we belong to Christ and God’s pleasure in how we live? If you truly believe that you are secure in Christ, what might change about the way you face failure, make decisions, relate to others, or pursue holiness this week?

Discussion Questions What do you think Jesus’ parents thought when they heard Simeon’s and Anna’s words? Simeon and Anna were waiting for God’s promised redemption. Which unfulfilled promises of God are you trusting in?  Why is it important that Jesus be both fully human and fully divine?

Discussion Questions Where in your life right now does it feel as though someone or something else is in control? We often confuse glory with impressiveness. Where might you be overlooking God’s work because it seems too ordinary, weak, or unimpressive? Mary treasures; the shepherds respond; the crowd merely wonders. Which of those responses most resembles your relationship with Jesus right now?

Discussion Questions Where do you most long to see God make things right—in your own life, in your relationships, and in the world around you? Where might you be more focused on what you want God to fix around you than what he wants to change within you? How can God’s loving discipline be an expression of his grace in Zechariah’s life? Where have you experienced God’s loving correction and instruction? Zechariah moves from unbelief and silence to faith and praise. What do you think changed in him, and what helps move us toward that same kind of humble, joyful worship?

Discussion Questions What area of your life feels unresolved right now, even though you are trying to trust God in it? When you are confused or discouraged, is your instinct to isolate or to seek God in community? Who has God placed in your life to help you process, discern, and keep going? What problem, fear, or uncertainty are you currently “magnifying”? What would it look like this week to magnify God instead?

Discussion Questions Imagine that you were part of Mary’s family. How would you react to the news of her pregnancy? Discuss the contrast between Zechariah’s and Mary’s responses to Gabriel’s announcements. Why was Jesus born of a virgin? What reasons would God have had for such a miracle?

Discussion Questions Where in your life right now do you find yourself saying with Zechariah, “How can I know?” What circumstances are making it difficult for you to trust God? What is one area where you may only be seeing your “little piece of the story”? How might remembering that God sees the whole story change the way you pray or respond? What would it practically look like this week to trust God’s character when you cannot understand His timing?

Discussion Questions How have your prayers changed as a result of our study of the Lord’s Prayer? What are the situations, habits or circumstances where you are particularly vulnerable to temptation? What would it look like for God to lead you away from that temptation and what role does he invite you to take? How do we experience Jesus’ “mercy and grace to help in time of need” in our lives? How does God’s promise of ultimate deliverance from evil give you hope and enable perseverance in your battle against sin?

Discussion Questions The sermon described the Christian life as one of “daily bread” and “daily mercy.” What would it look like for confession and repentance to become a more regular part of your prayer life without falling into either spiritual carelessness or unhealthy self-condemnation? Is there a person whose name is still on your “ledger,” someone you find yourself thinking, consciously or unconsciously, “You owe me”? What makes that debt difficult to release? In the parable, the king does not deny that the fellow servant owed a real debt. Instead, he asks, “Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” How does remembering the mercy we have received from God shape the way we respond when others wrong us?

Discussion Questions What do you think of when you think of your daily needs? When and why does it feel hard to pray and depend on the lord daily for our needs? How can you rely more deeply on Jesus' daily provision this week?

Discussion Questions: When we pray “your kingdom come,” what are we actually asking God to do? What other “kingdoms” are competing for your attention and allegiance? How can you tell the difference between genuinely seeking God’s will or just asking him to bless something you’ve already decided to do? What areas in your life are easiest to surrender to God’s will? Most difficult? Why? Let's memorize this passage together as a church family! Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Discussion Questions: - Why is it hard for us to put God’s glory ahead of our own? - Take one of God’s attributes and discuss how “holy” it is. - How will our praying look different if we keep this petition in mind?

Discussion Questions Do you generally approach God as a loving Father, a demanding employer, a distant ruler, or a disappointed judge? How might your work or ministry change if it flowed from belovedness rather than anxiety? What is the difference between intimacy with God and treating God casually?

Discussion Questions: Thinking of our "Stop and Pray" assignment (from the Sermon), write down the names of 5 people whom you might be able to stop and pray with this week. How did it go? Who'd you actually pray with? Share your stories in your small group or family. _ What are some areas of your life that you DON'T pray over? Take a few minutes to think of categories. How could you be more childlike in your praying? Let's memorize this passage together as a church family! Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Discussion Questions When you hear “be filled with the Spirit,” do you tend to think primarily about an individual experience? How does Ephesians 5:18–21 broaden that understanding? What tends to fill, influence, or control you instead of the Holy Spirit? How can our community group or church community help one another “keep on being filled with the Spirit”?