Breaking Ground
When was the last time you laughed really hard? Who were you with, what made you laugh, & how did it make you feel?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued Advent by reflecting upon how Jesus’ birth transforms our understanding of joy.
Begin by reflecting on the word joy.
How do you define joy? What circumstances or experiences tend to make you feel joyful? Which ones prevent you from feeling joy?
Read Matthew 2:1-12. In this text, we find some strange characters present at Jesus’ birth called the Magi. In Jesus’ day, Magi were 1.) spiritual astrologers following cosmic signs for important historical/divine events; 2.) travelers from a distant land; & 3.) definitively not ethnically, nor religiously, Jewish. As such, they’re the last people we should expect to seek out, find, & become the first to worship Jesus as the Jewish Messiah. However, despite this, they are who experience joy over Christ’s arrival, while Israel’s religious insiders are disturbed by it.
Why do you think the Magi seek out & rejocie at Christ’s arrival? Consider attributes like openness, humility, willingness, etc.
Alternatively, why do you think these religious insiders are disturbed by Jesus’ arrival? Why don’t they go to seek him out? Consider attributes like certainty, judgmentalism, pride, etc.
Critically, as discussed on Sunday, biblical joy is NOT synonymous with happiness. Instead of being an emotion or feeling, it’s an internal posture grounded in our awareness of God’s Presence with us & trust in His promises within all circumstances.
How does this biblical vision of joy help us understand the Magi’s story? How does Christ’s arrival, & their presence at it, provide us with a radical example of this divine joy?
How is this vision of joy different from happiness or those given to us by our culture? How does this change where & when we should expect to be able to experience joy in our lives?
Where do you need to embrace Advent Joy during this season? How might it change the way you see, think about, & respond to the areas of your life that have left you feeling uneasy, hurting, or disturbed?
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time each week to reflect upon the Sunday sermon.
- Read Matthew 2:1-12. Make note of key characters, decisions, & attitudes throughout the story.
- Who experiences joy in this story? Who is left disturbed? Why do you think that is?
- Where are you feeling disturbed in this season? What’s creating those feelings?
- How might believing that Jesus was with you in all things change your attitude, perspective, posture, & choices within what you’ve identified? How might that produce a different kind of joy within you during this Advent season?
Journal about how this prayer practice makes you feel this week. Share your experience with your group next week.
Additional Resources*
Centered Set Church by Mark D. Baker
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent & Christmas
TheBibleProject.com
Coming Up This Week:*
December 21st: Join us next Sunday as we continue Advent!
* Please see mye3.org for details.