Waiting on God - What Are You Waiting For?

The Israelites waited centuries for the promised Messiah. We have been waiting centuries for His promised return. Much of life is spent waiting on God. Still, through the promises of Scripture and the presence of the Spirit we can find peace and hope even in the absence of immediate answers.

Where Is It Written?

Read Luke 2:21-40. What do you notice as you read it?

What does this passage tell us about Mary and Joseph?

What does this passage tell us about Simeon?

What does this passage tell us about Anna?

How do you think these prophecies spoken over the infant Jesus would have impacted Mary and Joseph?

How Goes Your Walk?

Simeon and Anna have waited a lifetime for this moment. When have you waited a long time for God's work in your life?

When has God used someone who was a stranger to you to influence or "speak into" your life?

What does it mean to you to wait on God - and to seek Him, rather than to seek the things you hope He does for you?

Waiting on God - God of the Overlooked

The Israelites waited centuries for the promised Messiah. We have been waiting centuries for His promised return. Much of life is spent waiting on God. Still, through the promises of Scripture and the presence of the Spirit we can find peace and hope even in the absence of immediate answers.

Where Is It Written?
Read Luke 2:1-20 and Matthew 2:1-12 then Micah 5:2-4.
In what ways did Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem fulfill Micah’s prophecy?
What elements of the prophecy are not yet fully completed?

How Goes Your Walk?
At the time of Jesus’ birth, Bethlehem was a small, easily overlooked village located about 5 miles southwest of the City of Jerusalem.

How has God used easily overlooked people, places or events in your life?

Lord, help us to see your love in simple things. Help us to not overlook what you are doing in our lives.

Family Christmas Tradition Ideas:
* Read Luke 2:1-20 and or Matthew 2:1-12 before opening presents.
* Families with children may wish to use a Nativity set to act out the story as it is read.
* Sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus.
* Make a space at the Christmas Dinner table for Jesus.

Waiting on God - Comfort in the Chaos

The Israelites waited centuries for the promised Messiah. We have been waiting centuries for His promised return. Much of life is spent waiting on God. Still, through the promises of Scripture and the presence of the Spirit we can find peace and hope even in the absence of immediate answers.

Where Is It Written?
Read Isaiah 39:1-8.
What is going on in Judah in the time before the prophecy of Isaiah 40 is given?

Though it is uncertain how much time has passed between Isaiah 39 and 40, we do know that shortly after King Hezekiah's death, the nation of Judah would be taken into exile by the Babylonian empire, to be released about 70 years later.

Read Isaiah 40:1-8
What emotional effect might this passage have to someone who was either under siege or already in exile?

How was this prophecy fulfilled for the exiles?

Read Mark 1:1-8
How was the prophecy of Isaiah 40 fulfilled in John the Baptist?
What parts of Isaiah 40 were only fulfilled in Jesus?

How Goes Your Walk?
How have you found God's comfort in the midst of "chaos?"
How can you help someone in your life find comfort in their chaos?

Waiting on God - Emmanuel

The Israelites waited centuries for the promised Messiah. We have been waiting centuries for His promised return. Much of life is spent waiting on God. Still, through the promises of Scripture and the presence of the Spirit we can find peace and hope even in the absence of immediate answers.

In today's story, King Ahaz was under stress and sold out his faith in order to secure an alliance that he thought would keep him safe. Through Isaiah, God reveals the folly of his actions, showing Ahaz how temporary this false means of security was.

How often are we tempted to take shortcuts rather than truly wait on God? Especially when God gives us signs now that remind us that He always keeps his promises - no matter how long it takes?

Where Is It Written?
King Ahaz was among the worst kings of Judah. Read 2 Kings 16:1-4. What made Ahaz such a bad king?
Read 2 Kings 16:7-9. Who did Ahaz make an alliance with? To fight against whom? How did he pay for the alliance? What do all these actions reveal about his faith in the Lord?

Read Isaiah 7:1-2. Ahaz hears that Aram and Israel have made an alliance to fight against him in Judah. What is his response?

Read Isaiah 7:3-13. What different perspective on Ahaz's situation does Isaiah bring?

Read Isaiah 7:14-17. What promise is given to Ahaz? How does this same promise find MUCH greater fulfillment later?

How Goes Your Walk?
Ahaz received a promise that was partially fulfilled over the next few years but would find its complete fulfillment 700 hundred years later in Jesus.

When have you waited on God for a long time?
What signs has God given you now that His promise for the future can be trusted?
How do you tend to turn away when you are feeling discouraged in a time of waiting?
What advice would you give yourself when, like Ahaz, you are tempted to look to things other than God for your strength?