REALLIFE STUDY GROUP

“What Does God Want For Christmas?”

ICEBREAKER: What was the most memorable or creative gift you ever received for Christmas?

OUTLINE: 10 Gifts for God That Will Release the Blessing in Your Life

1. Forgive someone who does not deserve it

2. Serve someone who could never serve you

3. Bless someone you do not know

4. Encourage someone that is down and out

5. Restore dignity to someone who has disqualified themselves

6. Give thanks for what you already have before you open your first Christmas gift. Thank God for even the empty space

7. Release someone or something to God that you cannot fix or change

8. Make a Prophetic Decree over some impossible situation (Peace goodwill toward men)

9. Give away something that is precious to you and watch what God will do with it.

10. Clear the clutter to make more room for God in your life.

TEXT: Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 2:1-16, 2 Corinthians 9:15

Study Group Questions:

1. While hanging on the cross, which was the first Christmas tree, Jesus the Light of the World became the first Christmas ornament. He then enlightened us and modeled how to forgive those who offend us. Which of the following elements of forgiveness have been most difficult for you to wrap your head around?

a. None of us deserve forgiveness

b. My sin is just as bad as the worst offender

c. Forgiveness is an investment in my future; I may need it someday

d. I would forgive but I’m afraid God might let them off the hook

e. I would forgive but I know they are just going to offend me again

f. If I forgive them they might think what they did to me wasn’t so bad after all

g. Forgiveness requires faith and I just don’t have enough

h. When I refuse to forgive I actually have a problem with pride because I think I am better than the offender

2. Give an example of someone you could serve that may never or could never serve you.

3. How could you bless someone you do not know?

4. What is the most encouraging thing you could say to someone?

5. What are some ways people disqualify themselves in life?

6. Give thanks for something you would like have but you don’t have yet.

7. Identify something God would love to fix for you if you would only let him.

8. Make a positive faith statement about something that you cannot fix in your life.

9. There was no room in the Inn for Baby Jesus. Name one thing you need to de-clutter in your life to make more room for God.