Welcome to Sunday Fuel! This series of questions is designed to assist your personal reflection and fellowship with others about the sermon from this past Sunday.
1. What stressors or burdens are you facing alone this Christmas season? What sins do you bear privately out of shame? What do you wish would go away?
2. What gospel truths did Pastor Allen highlight from this passage that are important for you to remember or rehearse, especially when you feel alone? Take time to meditate on the significance of Jesus’ name (Yahweh saves) and Immanuel (God with us) in relation to your burden, sin, or trial.
3. Given these truths, how will you actively respond to the Lord? Will you
- Put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to save you from your sins?
- Turn to Him when you feel alone or abandoned?
- Mourn that which is not clean and pristine?
- Humbly admit where you struggle with unbelief and ask Him to grow your faith?
- Confess the ways you are relying on yourself to escape your situation?
- Bring your fears to the God of peace?
- Pray about your cares believing He cares for you?
- Forgive, absorbing the cost of someone’s hurt directed at you?
- Invite Him to show you how staying in your present difficult situation is a way He wants to bless you and deepen your faith
- Obey what you know He commands, relying on His strength to help?
- Faithfully do what is needed today as your heart waits on Him for tomorrow?
- Take the risk of sharing your burdens with another brother or sister in Christ?
Pick one or two ways to respond in faith to the God who has drawn near to us.
4. Worship and rest in Immanuel, God with us. Two songs to reflect on in worship: