The Birth of Christmas

December 20, 2020

Main idea: Jesus comes to give peace.

Jesus is ...

  • ... truly God. (John 1:1-5)
  • ... truly human. (John 1:14)
  • ... truly God's peace. (Romans 5:1)

Icebreaker

Are you looking forward to the end of Advent? Why or why not?

Digging Deeper

  1. Pantheism suggests that the universe is God (or indistinguishable from God) and not personal. God, therefore, is an "impersonal all-encompassing force, made up of all things and all creatures in the natural order." [source]

    • What do you find attractive about pantheism?
    • What do you find unattractive about pantheism?
    • How does John 1:1-5 stand in contrast to pantheism?

  2. Docetism suggests that Jesus only appeared to be human.

    • Why do you think this heresy arose? What is it trying to achieve?
    • What do you find disturbing about docetism?
    • How does John 1:14 refute docetism?

[Overachievers click here for more info]

  1. Which truth captivates you more: "Jesus is fully and truly God" or "Jesus is fully and truly human"? Why?

  2. Related, which truth challenges you more? Why?

  3. Finally, which truth do you find most difficult to defend?

Next Steps

  1. How is Jesus God's peace? (Hint: Read Romans 5:1, 6-8)

  2. Why is it good news that God not only empathizes with us, but redeems us from sin?

  3. How can you celebrate Jesus as truly God and truly human this Christmas?

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