Christmas is for the Discouraged

Luke 1

The holiday season is a magnifier. This time of year amplifies the good times, but it also magnifies the bad times. When your dreams don’t come true, aspirations are dashed, and faith is crushed, how do you find hope? Through the Christmas story, we can learn what to do when we feel hopeless or dejected. Christmastime may feel like it’s for the joyful, but through this message, we’ll see why Christmas is for the discouraged.

1. In a culture and nation that makes a huge deal of Christmas, even for those for whom Christmas is completely secular, do you think people are using the “glitter” of Christmas to mask fear and discouragement?

2. Read Psalm 13:1-2; 1 Kings 19:1-4 — If even great kings and prophets can get discouraged, then we should beware the temptation to us. Pastor gave four reasons why we allow ourselves to get discouraged: fatigue, frustration, failure, and fear. Share the cause of your discouragement with the group.

3. Read Luke 1:7, 18 — Do you ever put limits on what God can do through you?

4. Share a time when a disappointment drew you closer to God.

5. Read Luke 1:46-49 — Both Zechariah and Mary received announcements that they were going to have a child. Where Zechariah should have been ecstatic, he was doubtful. Where Mary should have been crushed, she was hopeful. Mary focused on God, while Zechariah focused on himself. Do you feel like Zechariah or Mary right now?

     a. If Mary, can you share what is giving you hope?

6. Read 1 Peter 5:8-11 — What is your A.N.T. (automatic negative thought)?

     a. Can you name where that thought originated from?

7. Read Jeremiah 31:3; Malachi 3:1; Luke 1:67-70 — Zechariah changed his attitude when he saw the love of God.

8. Read Psalm 33:18-19; Psalm 103:1; Psalm 147:11 — Who is this promise given to?

9. Have you ever been in a bad mood and resented it when someone tried to cheer you up? Why do you think that was? When you are disappointed, what choices can you make other than choosing to be discouraged?