God: The Model of Surrender

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God: The Model of Surrender Sermon Based Life Group study for the week of December 4 Getting To Know Each Other  What is your full name?  Share what background and/or heritage your family has. Into the Bible Read John 1:1-18  Who is the Word?  What facts can you find about him in verses 1-5 and 10-14?  In verse 5, what is the problem of the world God entered?  How does God, coming in the flesh, help the world understand?  Application: When did you first begin to really understand God’s Rescue Plan? Read Luke 1:26-38  Why is the virgin birth important to help us understand who Jesus is?  Why couldn’t Mary and Joseph’s natural born son be the Christ?  Why did Jesus come as a baby and not an adult king?  Application: Have you ever been fearful about how God would work in your life?  Application: In what areas of your life do you need to understand that nothing is impossible with God (verse 37)? Read Philippians 2:1-11  Why is Jesus the perfect example of humility? What did he surrender?  In verse 7, how did Jesus “make himself nothing”?  Why did Jesus have to surrender if we were going to be saved? (see verse 8)  Application: Have you ever considered Christmas a holiday of surrender and sacrifice?  Application: To better remember Jesus’ birth and purpose for coming, how can we begin to sacrifice in a Christmas culture of materialism? Read Colossians 1:15-20  What does it mean that Jesus is the “image of the invisible God”?  What does “first born” mean in this passage?  What was God’s purpose when He took on human flesh? (verses 19-20)  Why is Christmas proof that Jesus is the only way to heaven?  Application: How has your life been changed by Jesus’ coming?  Application: How can you celebrate Christmas differently this year – to show your family the real reason for the season? Prayer  How can we pray for each other this week?  What Christmas hope are you praying for this season?