Week 4: Waiting on the Threshold

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal. (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal)

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants share where they have encountered God this Advent season.

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes)

Read 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 and Luke 1:26-38

When does David realize the situation of where he lives versus where God’s “home” is? [During a time of rest and reflection (v. 1).] What does David propose to do about this situation? How do you think David reacted when Nathan announced that instead of David building God a house, God would be building David a house or lineage?
What do we learn about God from this passage? [God is not caught up in appearances. God desires to be among the people, in their hurts and pains as God works to provide a place for them to rest. God desires a people who reflect God’s nature (v. 10).]
Who was more surprised in these two stories, David or Mary? Why?
Why is part of the Christmas message that nothing is impossible for God? [The Christmas message is based in the miracle of God coming in the form of a vulnerable infant to a desperate people.]
Imagine salvation is like a house. Where are you in relationship to the house? Still outside? On the porch about to come in? In the doorway? In the hallway headed deeper in the house? In the living room by the fire? In an upstairs bedroom?
What are your hopes for this Christmas?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). Ask for a volunteer to lead the group in prayer or read the following prayer in unison:

Holy God who is active and moving among us, we continue to be surprised at how you are concerned for us. Give us the eyes of faith that we might be surprised by your presence the ways you are working within us and within our world this Christmas. Amen.