Sermon Questions 2026-01-04

Series: Old Stories, New Stories
Text: Matthew 2:1-23
Title: A Radical Arrival

Invited: Welcome back to LIFE Group! Share about your holiday time – highlights and lowlights.

Loved: This will be a season of growing in our storytelling about the work of Jesus. Why is sharing Jesus stories (from the Bible, from our lives) important?

Shaped:

• Using both observations from the text and your holy imagination: How did Jesus’ arrival affect the lives of the Magi? Herod? Joseph and Mary?
• What do the events of this chapter tell you about God and the kingdom brought by the newborn King Jesus? Put differently, what and who seem important to God?
• Have you ever had the opportunity to “share the gospel” or share an overview of the Bible (God’s big redemption plan) with someone else? Share about this experience – how did you feel? How did it go? How did they respond? Whether or not you’ve shared it with someone else before, how would you summarize the Story of God’s Redemption / “the gospel”? Consider watching James Choung’s “True Story” summary together (search “James Choung True Story” on YouTube, and you should find Part 1 and Part 2, both 3-minute videos).
• Pastor Cara observes that Jesus’ arrival brings radical good, radical danger (opposition), and/or radical difference (change), depending on your perspective on Jesus. Which of these feels true in your life? Share a personal story of your walk with Jesus in which you show radical good/danger/difference – perhaps it’s a story of Jesus’ current work in your life; perhaps it’s the story of how you came to trust and follow Jesus; perhaps it’s a summary of the “so what?” difference Jesus makes in your life.

Sent: How do you want to grow in your ability to share (new or old) stories about Jesus in the coming season? Pray together for the Spirit’s help and guidance.