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 are you going through that leads to a troubled heart? What makes it hard for you to find joy in this Christmas season?
2. Pastor King points out that Matt. 2:1-12 is not about “we three kings” (the wise men) but contrasting a pretend king (Herod) with the promised King (Jesus). What “pretend kings” (which can also include good things) are ruling your life? Who/what are you living for? Some questions to help you recognize this “king”:
- What do you like to, to try to make sense of your world?
- What matters the most to you?
- What do you need to make life right?
- Where will you find hope?
- What do you believe will save you?
- What needs to happen for you to be happy?
3. How do you tend to respond when what you’re living for is threatened? How is your heart troubled—with fear, confusion, restlessness, dread? How do they draw your attention away from Christ or even to devastation?
4. Review how Jesus, the promised King, is the greatest King: His humble and sacrificial love, grace to sinners, and faithfulness in our times of suffering. He alone is the object of our hope and source of our joy.
5. Take time to join the wise men in worshipping Him who fulfills God’s long-awaited promise. Thank Him for His gifts and confess where they have become gods. In the things that trouble you (question 1), pray and ask Him to help you make sense of your life, provide help and hope, love to serve others better.