Three Essential Questions
After watching the message take some time reflect on the following three questions.
- What did you hear? What point in this message was most impactful for you?
- What do you think? How did this message challenge, change, or affirm your thinking?
- What will you do? How will you put into practice what you've learned today?
1. A NO CONDEMNATION CHRISTMAS
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those whoare in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1 (NIV)
"As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORDhas compassion on those who fear him; for he knows howwe are formed, he remembers that we are dust." Psalm 103:13-14 (NIV)
"God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it,but to save it." John 3:17 (TLB)
Action Plan: Take a moment and write down those things you are beating yourself up for. Maybe how you treated someone, a recent sin, a long-lasting grudge? During your daily devotional time, ask Christ for forgiveness, and know that you are forgiven.
2. A NO FEAR CHRISTMAS
"So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearfulslaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adoptedyou as his own children. Now we call him, 'Abba, Father.'" Romans 8:15 (NLT)
"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring yougood news of great joy that will be for all the people.'" Luke 2:10 (NIV)
Action Plan: Write down some fears you have. If you can, also add where those fears are coming from. Discuss with your small group or a trusted friend on how God can help you overcome those fears.
3. A FULL OF HOPE CHRISTMAS
". . . those who hope in Me will not be disappointed." Isaiah 49:23b (NIV)
"But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for itpatiently." Romans 8:25 (NIV)
"The LORD is near to those who are discouraged; he savesthose who have lost all hope." Psalm 34:18 (TEV)
Action Plan: After your list of fears in #2, write down what you are hopeful for in 2021. Take the opportunity to share your hopes with friends and family that may be having a difficult time this season seeing any hope. Share the Good News.
4. A GOD IS WORKING CHRISTMAS
"And we know that in all things God works for the good ofthose who love him, who have been called according to hispurpose." Romans 8:28 (NIV)
"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for usall – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give usall things?" Romans 8:32 (NIV)
Action Plan: Make a commitment to your small group to reach out to your 'neighbors' and invite them to watch Saddleback's Christmas. Maybe a virtual celebration party to watch together?
5. A GOD IS WITH ME CHRISTMAS
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neitherangels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, norany powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else inall creation, will be able to separate us from the love of Godthat is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
"'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son,and they will call him Immanuel' – which means, 'God with us.'" Matthew 1:23 (NIV)
Weekly Action Steps
We recommit our lives to Jesus Christ. Text NEWSTART (1 word) to 99000 or email newstart@saddleback.com
We express our gratitude to God for his goodness by giving back to him. Your generosity online is feeding tens of thousands of out-of-work families and serving many other needs. Give at Saddleback.com/give
We meet in small groups online to discuss what we've heard. To join a group, text SMALLGROUP to 99000 or email SMALLGROUP@saddleback.com.
Listen to our new Doable Discipleship podcast season, "Politics and the Church" at Saddleback.com/learn
