Connect Who this Christmas would you love to receive the gift of salvation? How can you encourage & pray for them?

Warm-Up

1. What is something that you look forward to (every year, or even every week)?
2. How often do you think about Jesus’ return? How important has it been to your faith?

Read 2 Peter 3:1-7

3. Why is Peter writing this letter? Whose words does he want them to recall?
4. What is the main question of the scoffers/false teachers? Have you ever wondered the same thing?
5. Where did the idea that Jesus will ‘come again’ originate from? Can you find examples in the gospels?
6. On the scale from distant & detached to present & active - where do you think God sits? Why?
7. What examples does Peter give of God’s active work in the world? What do the actions include?
8. How do you feel about the idea of judgement? Why do you think Christians might be susceptible to either ignoring or over-emphasising judgement?
9. Read John 5:25-29. Who is entrusted to be the judge? What will happen to all people when Jesus returns? Is this different to what you expect?
10. On your frontlines, where do you see the effects of sin and death? What would it look like if sin and death were removed forever? 
11. Read Isaiah 65:17-19. What does God promise to create? What is your favourite aspect?

Read 2 Peter 3:8-15

12. Why can we conclude that Jesus’ delay is not from forgetfulness or a broken promise?
13. What does the Lord’s patience enable? Who do you long to come to repentance? How have you seen the Lord’s patience give time for people to turn to Jesus?
14. What might be a next step for the people on your frontlines who don’t know Jesus?
15. What warning will we get about Jesus’ return? 
16. What kind of people should we be like as we wait? How does how we wait reflect who we wait for?
17. What changes might you need to make to grow in godliness and holiness?
18. How can Christmas be a reminder of God’s promise to return in glory? 

Apply What changes might you need to make to grow in godliness and holiness?

On Your Front Line this Week

How can you bring grace and love to your interactions and transactions this week?

For Families

• Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read

• Listen: “The Dangerous God” by Tim Keller: https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/the-dangerous-god/‍
• Listen: “Living in the Light of Christ’s Return” by William Taylor: https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/54466/‍
• Listen: “He will come again” by Luke Ijaz: https://www.allsouls.org/Media/AllMedia.aspx?show_media=139285&show_file=150291‍
• Listen: “God’s New Thing (with Q&A)” (Isaiah 65) by Tim Sheppard: https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/56962/‍
• Watch: “Day of the Lord” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/day-of-the-lord/

Series Resources

• Read: “Rejoice: Advent in all the Scriptures” by Chris Wright & John Stott: https://bit.ly/46GUMi1  
• Read: “Advent (Fullness of Time Series)” by Tish Harrison Warren: https://bit.ly/3uGoy9r  
• Read: “The God who Became Human” by Graham Cole. https://bit.ly/3g68RBj  
• Read: “On the Incarnation” by Athanasius. https://bit.ly/3E5gLmB  
• Read: “Is Christmas Unbelievable” by Rebecca McLaughlin. https://bit.ly/3E6X79K  
• Watch: “The Word Becomes Human” by the Bible Project. https://bit.ly/3UEL8HB  ‍
• Listen: A Carols Playlist (curated by the St Bart’s staff team): https://spoti.fi/3OaJsTK