Once Upon a Christmas
Light Up The Darkness - Week 3
December 18, 2022 | By Jim Burgen
Jesus never told us to save the world. He just told us to bring his light into it. In "Light Up The Darkness" we learn how God is going to use us to bring hope to the hopeless.
SETLIST
Go Tell It On The Mountain
Make Room by Josh Farro, Rebekah White, Evelyn Heideriqui, and Lucas Cortazio 2018 FYWBTG (Admin. by Lori Kelly Rights & Licenses) and Remaining portion is unaffiliated
Underneath the Tree
All Hail King Jesus by Jeremy Riddle, Peter Mattis, Ran Jackson, and Steffany Gretzinger 2017 Bethel Music Publishing and Remaining portion is unaffiliated
GROUPS QUESTIONS
// Bible References
Matthew 5:14-16, Philippians 2:3-11
// Community Question
Exposure to other cultures can challenge us to reflect on what we think is important. The central priorities of the Massai are brotherhood (“we” not “I” mentality) and their faith in the provisions of God despite not being wealthy by our standards. What could we learn from the Massai way of life in how we approach ours?
// Discussion Questions
1. Out of the three responses to frustration with the world, (angry, walk away, lose hope) which one do we resonate with? Why?
2. Read Matthew 5:14-16. Christ says we are the light of the world. How can we bring the light of Christ into situations that make us angry, give up, or lose hope?
3. Similarly, Matthew says we have the light of Christ in us, what if we asked Christ into our pain? What difference do you think it would make?
4. Read Philippians 2:3-11 This passage describes how Jesus left heaven and jumped into the middle of our mess and paid the ultimate price to rescue us. What would it look like for us to let our light shine before people so they see what is possible and turn to Jesus to be saved?
5. Jim cast vision for the future of Flatirons to help plant other “Flatirons-like” churches all around the United States, and even other parts of the world. He encouraged us to consider how we may get involved with that vision - to reach out, to give to, and maybe even move to Phoenix to partner with our first Church planters. What’s one thing you or your group can do to support this vision?
// Challenge:
Next Sunday is a big opportunity to share our light with others, who is God prompting us to invite to service next week and experience our reason for hope?
