INTRODUCTION The Christmas season is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. But for many people, it’s complicated. It’s a time of year that surfaces tensions in relationships, unmet expectations, and the pain of absent loved ones. What do you do when the magic and wonder of the Christmas season feels out of reach? How do you reconnect with the reason for the season? DISCUSSION QUESTIONS What part of Sunday’s message stood out to you? Was there anything you disagreed with or that encouraged you? “Jesus is life and light that overcomes the dark. That’s what makes this the most wonderful time of the year.” Read John 20:30‐31 and 1:4‐5 Context: When John, who as an old man sat down to write or dictate his account of Jesus’ life, realized he needed to
document what he had seen, he didn’t begin with the birth narrative. Instead, he began with the implications
and significance of Jesus’ birth. He tells us why this is, in fact, the most wonderful, significant time of year for all
of us. He wrote at a terrible time in the history of the Jews, his people. As he sat to write in these darkest of dark times, he remembered that when the story of Jesus began, it was dark then as well. ● What is the purpose of the Gospel of John? Why is this significant to you and I? (John 20:31) ● How does one have eternal life? How does having a relationship with God change everything? (John 20:31) ● What is the “light” and the “life” that John refers to? (John 1:4) ● Why was the use of the word “light” significant at the time John was writing? What are some ways that darkness tends to creep into our Christmas season? (John 1:4) ● Despite all the darkness around John in his circumstances as he wrote his Gospel, why could he say that the darkness has not overwhelmed the light? Why is this significant for us today as celebrate Christmas? (John 1:5) Is it difficult for you to believe that Jesus’ light can overcome darkness in your life? Why or why not? What are some things complicating this Christmas season for you? How would your stress be reduced if you lived in the truth that Jesus is the life and light that overcomes darkness? What is one way your group can bring light to your Christmas season? MOVING FORWARD During the Christmas season, we’re confronted with problems we can’t solve, people we can’t control, and expectations we can’t meet. It’s important not to lose sight of of the truth that Christmas isn’t the most wonderful time of the year because of what is happening but because of what happened. Christmas isn’t the most wonderful time of the year because of who is with us but because of who is for us. Christmas is a reminder that Jesus is the life and light that overcomes darkness. LIVE IT OUT Memorize: Learn John 1:4‐5 Journaling: Write out your prayers everyday asking God to bring his light into the darkness of the circumstance. Prayer: If you are going through a dark time, ask God to bring his peace into the situation. If you know someone is going through a dark time, pray God would bring peace into their situation. Pray Psalm 23 every day over this season. Accountability: Find someone in the group who will pray for you and encourage you this Christmas season to keep trusting in God’s strength and not your own to walk through the dark times.