Simeon and Anna

December 27, 2020

Main idea: Meeting Jesus is meeting life.

Luke 2:21-38

1. Joseph and Mary: Pious, but poor (Luke 2:21-24)
2. Simeon
   • Pious (Luke 2:25-26)
   • Overwhelmed (Luke 2:27-32)
   • Prophetic (Luke 2:33-35)
3. Anna (Luke 2:36-38)

Significance

Jesus comes ...

1. ... to save ...
2. ... all types of people ...
3. ... through suffering.

Evaluate two relationships

1. Your relationship with God.
2. Your relationship with others.

Icebreaker

Describe the first time you remember meeting a newborn baby. Who was it? What were your first impressions?

Digging Deeper

1. Read one of the following sections:

   • Joseph and Mary (Luke 2:21-24)
   • Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)
   • Anna (Luke 2:36-38)

2. Answer the following questions based on the section you read.

   • How does Luke describe the character(s) you chose?
   • Besides Mary each of these characters are relatively obscure in Scripture (and even Mary fades to the background after Jesus' birth). Why, then, do you think they are included in Scripture?

3. On Sunday, we saw the following three aspects of Jesus' coming: "Jesus comes [1] to save [2] all types of people [3] through suffering."

   • Why is each of these important in understanding Jesus?
   • What is lost if one is omitted?

4. How would you explain that Jesus is for religious/churched and irreligious/unchurched/dechurched people to a friend?

Next Steps

As we end 2020, discuss these personal questions (taken from The Growth Group Notebook).

• What has God been teaching you this year?
• How have you grown in Christ?
• What have you struggled with this year? What areas of godliness do you need to work on?
• How has God been answering prayer in your group? Who have you seen grow in your group?
• What or who are you thankful to God for in your group?

In addition (or alternatively), discuss these group questions:

• Do you think our group contributed to your growth in Christ this year? If so, in what ways?
• Can you think of changes we could make to our group that might result in a greater impact on your growth in Christ?
• Do you think your participation contributed to the growth in Christ of others in the group? If so, how? If not, why not and how could that change?
• Are you keen to be in the group again next year? If not, is there any reason you feel you can tell us?
• Do you have any suggestions for the leader in terms of how he/she could improve as a group leader? Or about how the group operates?