Christmas Conspiracy - The Christmas Story

Many parents are saddened when their children learn the truth about Santa Claus. Why do you think this causes sadness for them? Why is this Santa Claus myth so important and why do so many of us work so hard to keep the myth alive in our children?

On Christmas (or Christmas Eve), which Christmas story is the one that you share with your children or grandchildren (if you have them) …the “Santa” Christmas story, or the “Jesus” Christmas story? If you haven’t shared one in the past, do you think you should share one in the future? Which one? Why?

In the “Jesus” Christmas story, we are told that Mary “wrapped him [Jesus] in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” God is all-powerful. Can you think of a good reason, or two, why God didn’t see to it that there was a place for them in the inn?

Perhaps part of the reason we like Santa is because it makes sense to us….you get gifts if you’ve been good, but not if you’ve been bad. We sometimes struggle with the whole Jesus thing, because even those who are really, really bad can be forgiven and given new life. Do you struggle with this at times? Are there people you have trouble forgiving and it bothers you that Jesus will forgive them? Do you sometimes have trouble believing that Jesus can forgive YOU for some of the things YOU’VE done? If either (or both) of these are true for you, pray for God’s help with this.  

When you pray, is it like you’re sitting on Santa’s lap and you’re going through your wish list of things you would like or things you would like to have happen? How could your approach to prayer change to that you were praying in the name of Jesus, so that you were praying to follow God’s will for your life? By the way, does it scare you to pray to follow God’s will for your life, since your life might look very, very different if you were to follow God’s will instead of your own? Think about it. Pray about it. 

Christmas Conspiracy - The Family Photo

When was your last family photo? Was it a joyful experience, or challenging? Why is it so important to have a family photo anyway? 

Why is it so important for many of us to send this photo to others? 

When was the last time you looked at a family photo from when you were a kid? What memories does the photo bring to mind? Are they pleasant memories, or memories you would rather not remember? If they are memories you would rather not remember, have you ever sought help dealing with those memories? 

Imagine you are the photographer taking the first Christmas photo of Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and the rest. Is there anything you would have added, or taken away, if this was the photo they were planning on sending out in their Christmas cards that year?

Speaking of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, have you ever thought about the conversation between Mary and her parents when she told them she was pregnant with Jesus, that she was carrying the savior of the world? Can you imagine if you were Mary, the conversation between you and your parents? How about if your daughter was Mary? 

Look at a recent photo of your family. Now imagine that Jesus is in the center of the family photo. Think about how different your family would be if this were the case. What would it take for this to be the reality for you and your family? On the other hand, maybe he’s already there. How different is your family because he is? When did you last celebrate that difference? 

Christmas Conspiracy - Presents or Presence

Of all the presents you’ve ever received for Christmas, which one do you remember the most? Do you know why you remember it so well? How well do you remember the presence of loved ones at Christmas time? If you had to pick, which is most important to you, the presents you’ve received, or the presence of those you love?

What could you do this Christmas to be more present with family and friends? What would you have to sacrifice for this to happen? Is it worth the sacrifice in order to have more time with people you care about?

One of the names we use for Jesus is Emmanuel, which means, God with Us. Is God truly with you at Christmas? How so? What could you do this Christmas season to allow you to be more open to the presence of God, to allow Jesus to be a greater part of your life?

How would you like it if someone decided to take some of the money they were going to buy you a present with and instead, bought a sweater for one of Koshy’s kids or used the money in some other way to help someone else? Would you feel gypped or would you feel really good about it? If you would feel really good about it, why not let someone know, so that maybe they could do that with one of your gifts.  

What would happen this year if instead of buying all of your gifts, you decided to make one or two of the ones you are giving? What would you make and who would you make it for? Seriously consider this as a possibility. And while you’re considering that, consider who on your list would really appreciate it if their gift was a gift for someone else, someone less fortunate, someone who might not get a gift otherwise. Consider making this happen, and letting the person know who you gave their gift to so that they can appreciate it and celebrate it too. 

Christmas Conspiracy - Turkey, Ham, or Jesus

Are you generally stressed out by the time Christmas arrives each year? If so, what could you change to make the season more enjoyable and less stressful? Are you willing to make that change? 

Does your family have a Christmas meal that is a tradition in your house, or does it change each year? Is the fixing of the meal a joy or a burden? If it is a joy, you should celebrate that. If it is a burden, what could you do to make it less burdensome? What needs to change to make it a joy? 

Is Jesus at the center of Christmas for you? Are you focused more on him, or on the list of things you need to accomplish? What changes could you make in order for Jesus to be the center of attention? Are you will to make those changes? What will it take?

Is Jesus at the center of Christmas in your home? Can you imagine how things around your house would be different if he were? What would it take for that to happen? Are you willing to personally do all that you can to make this happen? 

What can you do outside of your home to put Jesus more at the center of things? In your neighborhood, at your workplace, at places where you do things with other people? Without getting fired, or being looked at like you’re a religious freak or something, how can you help those around you be more aware of the Christ in Christmas? Give this some thought and prayer. We’re sure God will give you some good direction here.

Revolutionary Love - Always Perseveres

Love perseveres. What does that mean to you? Has it been true in your life? When? When did love NOT persevere in your life?

Love perseveres. What makes it difficult for you to live this out? Could this change with God’s help? Have you asked for it? Could you do that now?

The Greeks recognized several types of love: agape (unconditional love), philos (brotherly/sisterly love), and eros (romantic love)

Which of these three do you think would be most likely to persevere? Why? Which would be least likely to persevere? Why? 

Do you love Jesus? Are you willing to feed his sheep? What does that look like? What does that have to do with love perseveres?

Here’s what all of I Corinthians 13:7 (NIV) says: [Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Take a few minutes and think about this entire verse. What would your life look like if you took this verse seriously? Would you need to make some changes? What would they be? Are you willing to do that? With God’s help? Why not ask for it? 

Revolutionary Love - Rejoices In Truth

Do you find it difficult to love someone unconditionally? Why?

Do find it difficult to accept unconditional love from another? Why?

What prayer help with both of these situations? Are you willing to pray that prayer? What is keeping you from praying it today (maybe even right now) and then again tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that…..?

What are some of the iniquities you find in YOUR world? Which of those when you really think about them really grab you, enough that if you kept thinking about them you’d have to do something about them? Is that why you don’t think about them more, because then you’d have to do something? What’s it going to take for you to latch onto one of those iniquities until you do something that makes a difference? 

Are there any global social injustices that have really caught your attention? What are you going to do about it (or them)? Sometimes we think there’s nothing we can do, since we are just one person. This is not true. Most really big initiatives, really big movements have started with individuals. Keep in mind also, you don’t always have to start something new. It is possible to join something that is already rolling. So what is God calling you to start or to be a part of? 

Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. Sometimes the iniquities are not global, or national, or even regional. Sometimes they are right there in our houses, our neighborhoods, our work places. Sometimes rejoicing in iniquities is simply listening when someone else tears someone down, finding pleasure when you hear the “dirt” on someone else. If this happens to you, even on occasion, what can you do to change it? 

Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. Is truth a relative thing, or is it absolute? Where do you look for truth? The best place to look for truth is Scripture, the Bible. And here you will find that truth is not dependent on a particular situation, relative, but rather on God, absolute. Are you reading your Bible regularly? If so, GREAT!!! If not, what’s it going to take?

Revolutionary Love - No Record of Wrongs

Do you keep a record of wrongs? Who has the most entries? Is that person aware of the record that you keep? What is your purpose for keeping a record of wrongs? Do you refer to it often? Is this record a comfort to you or more of a curse? If it is a curse, then why do you keep it? If you have had trouble getting rid of it, have you asked for God’s help? If not, are you willing to ask for God’s help now?

Are you on someone else’s record of wrongs? How often do they remind you of your past mistakes? What do you think it would take for your name to be taken from the list? Have you ever talked to the person about removing your name? What would it take for you to have that conversation? Remember, with God, all things are possible.

Have you ever said the Lord’s Prayer? Remember the part where you say: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us?” Think about it. Do you really want God to forgive you as you forgive others? Would this be a good or bad thing for you? What would have to change in your life so that saying this line would NOT make you uncomfortable? How does not keeping a record of wrongs tie into this? 

As we said, our friend Randy says that forgiveness means Never Bringing it Up Again. Is there anything in your life that it would be impossible for you to never bring up again? What is it? Why is it so important for you to cling to it? What will you lose if you never bring it up again? What will you gain? Does the gain outweigh the loss? Seek God’s help if you’d really like to let it go.

I Corinthians 5 (NIV) tells us this: “It [love] is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” Is there any kind of a thread running through this verse, running through the four components of this verse. If so, how are they tied together? How does each part affect each of the other parts. What do you need to do in relation to this entire verse to show revolutionary love to those around you?

Revolutionary Love - Kindness

Who is the kindest person you’ve ever known? Are they still a part of your life?

How was their kindness expressed to you? Did you feel the love of that person through their expression(s) of kindness toward you?

What is the kindest thing you’ve ever done for someone else? What motivated your action? Do you generally consider yourself a kind person? What are some ways that you could be kinder to both people you know, and to people you don’t know?  What would it take to make this happen? 

Look through the Gospel of Mark. Find five examples of where Jesus was kind to people. As a follower of Jesus, are you able to use these examples as models of kindness that you might follow? Why/why not? 

1^st Corinthians 13:4 tells us love is kind, but it also tells us that love is patient, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Is there a connection between these various descriptions of love? Think about, talk about what this connection might be. 

Steve Sjogren says that “Small Things Done with Great Love Can Change the World.” Go to his website, www.servantevangelism.com, and spend some time checking out what is available. Click on some of the articles and take the time to read them. Visiting this website occasionally in the future might be valuable to help keep you tuned into this whole idea of “kindness.” 

Lessons from The Desert - HALT

In John 10:10 Jesus tells us that the thief (Satan) comes only to “steal and kill and destroy.” And so Satan tempts us, trying to lure us to say things we shouldn’t say, do things we shouldn’t do, go to places we shouldn’t go. Satan knows our temptation hot button(s), those areas in our lives where we are most vulnerable, most easily tempted. He usually knows them better than we do. Do you know what your temptation hot button(s)? Do you recognize when you are being tempted in this area, before it happens, while it is happening, or after you have given into the temptation? If it is after the fact, how could you in the future be more aware that you are being tempted, so that you can protect yourself before you give in? 

When are you most vulnerable to temptation? Is it when you are hungry, angry, lonely, tired, or under some other circumstances not mentioned? How can you protect yourself when you are vulnerable in this way? 

What have you done in the past to combat these times of temptation? Have you been successful? If you gave into temptation, how was your life affected? How could you change things in the future? 

Jesus referred to Scripture when Satan tried to temp him in the desert. Do you know Scripture well enough to be able to use it as Jesus did? Are you reading your Bible regularly? If not, what would it take for you to establish a regular Bible study program? Would it help if you were a part of a small group Bible study? What would it take for you to be willing to make this happen? 

Read Ephesians 6:10-18, where Paul talks about putting on the full armor of God. Read this section of Scripture at the beginning of every day for a couple of weeks, until you are very, very familiar with it. Consider starting each day with this Scripture, as a way of keeping yourself aware of Satan’s schemes and focusing yourself on God’s protection from those schemes. 

Lessons from The Desert - If Only

When the Lord supplied the Israelites with manna, he gave them what they needed, not necessarily what they wanted. Has this every happened to you? Has God supplied your needs, but you came up short when it came to your wants? What did you do? Did you have an If Only moment, thinking about how things would be If Only things were different? Did you accept what God supplied without dreaming about more?

Name five If Onlys in your life. (If you don’t have five, name the ones you do have.) Which of these are currently active? Is it healthy for you to continue to visit these desires to rewrite the past? If not, how are you going to let them go? 

We know with our brains that God forgives us, but we wonder with our hearts if He can truly do that? Maybe we find this challenging because it is difficult for us to forgive, especially ourselves. Is there something in your life that needs forgiving? Do you need God’s forgiveness, your own forgiveness, or both? How are you going to make that happen?

We say that God is a god of second chances. Can you think of three examples when God gave you a second chance? Did you deserve it? If not, why do you think God did it? 

As Christ-followers we need to be able to GIVE second chances. Can you give two examples of when you gave someone a second chance? Can you give a current example of someone who needs you to give them a second chance? Are you able to give them the second chance? Why/Why not? 

Lessons From The Desert - No Way-Yahweh

When the Israelites looked up and saw Pharaoh’s army coming after them as they camped next to the sea, their lack of faith caused them to wonder if they would have been better off as slaves in Egypt. Moses, on the other hand, told them to not be afraid, that the Lord would fight for them, they just needed to be still.

Generally speaking, are you more like the Israelites or Moses? Do you tend to have a lack of faith or an abundance of faith? If you tend to lack faith, what would it take for that to change? Is it possible for you to trust God more?

Think of a “No Way” situation in your life. Did you look to Yahweh for comfort, strength, and direction, or did you rely simply on yourself or somebody else? What was the outcome? Would it have been different if you had turned to Yahweh?

Read chapter 16 of Genesis. Even though God had promised Abram and Sarai children, they figured it was a “No Way” situation and as a result, took matters into their own hands. What was the result?

Read 2 Chronicles chapter 20 to see how King Jehoshaphat turned to Yahweh when he and the Israelites were facing a “No Way” situation. What can we learn from this faithful king of Israel?

Lessons from The Desert - I Am

Have you ever actually been in the desert? Which one? For how long? What did it feel like? What do you remember the most?

If you haven’t been in the actual desert, what’s the closest to it that you’ve been?

We often use the desert as a metaphor for a time in our lives when we felt real isolated, when things were not going our way, when we felt removed from God or those around us, or both. Have you had such a desert experience in your life? Can you remember what brought it on? Can you remember how you felt? What brought you out of the desert?

Deserts make us thirsty. We often find when we are facing deserts in our lives that we too are thirsting for something. We find ourselves really parched. Usually we find that we are thirsting for the Sacred, the Holy….we are thirsting for God. Have you ever felt that kind of desert inspired thirst? What brought it on? How long did it last? Did you quench that thirst? If so, how? If not, are you still thirsty? What are you going to do to quench the thirst.

As we said in the message on Sunday, Moses basically got three things from the time he spent in the desert before he visited Pharaoh. (1) God shared with him what God’s plans were for him, (2) God called him by name, (3) God revealed God’s Name (YHWH or Yahweh) to him. When you’ve spent time in the desert, did God use that time to help you grow? How? If you find yourself in the desert in the future, how do you think God will use that time to help you grow?

Craig Banes shares the following in his book entitled, ­Sacred Thirst:

…the most important things to remember about the desert is that God never wants anyone to stay there. There is no easy way out, but one of the worst mistakes we can make is to get used to living in the dry places. The only point of going through the desert is to get to the Promised Land, where we are at home with God. And the only way to enter the land is to realize the thirst we feel is a longing for the sacred. Sacred Thirst, p. 14.

What does this quote mean to you? Do you agree with Barnes?

Why/Why not?

Can I get A Withness - Barnabas

One of the most important withnesses that we can have is a Barnabas, an encourager. 

Do you agree with this statement? Why/Why not? 

Thinking back, name the Barnabases in your life. Write them out on a piece of paper if this helps you. Think about each one and what made them a Barnabas for you. Which one was your greatest encourager? Why?

Who are the current Barnabas Withnesses in your life? As they encourage you, are they helping you move from being self-conscious and self-centered to surrendering yourself and centering your thoughts on others? How so?

Who are you currently a Barnabas to? Who needs you to be their Barnabas? What’s stopping you? When are you most likely to be in Barnabas mode? Least likely? What would it take for the Barnabas mode to occur more often? 

How can you encourage your friends who don’t know Jesus to check Him out? 

Welcome to remix!

Welcome to the Connection REMIX Blog for the Middletown Campus. Each week following the Sunday message a new post will be uploaded that is designed to expand on the message from Sunday morning or give new insight to the topic, as well as some questions or challenges to help you go deeper. Please feel free to post comments and let us know what is connecting with you. We hope that this is another way to help you get connected to Jesus and the Life He offers!