CONNECT: When you are facing challenge, what most helps you to stand firm and depend on the Lord?

WARM-UP

1. When was the last time that you experienced a sense of ʻwonderʼ? What is at the heart of wonder?
2. What is the ʻincarnationʼ? How is verse John 1:14 a brilliant summary of this event and good news?

Read John 1:1-5

1. What are the opening words in Johnʼs Gospel? What do they remind you of?
2. Who is the Word? What is the Word like? When did the Word begin?
3. What are the ways in which John points to the Sonʼs eternal nature? How is he uniquely qualified to bring us life?
4. What is the darkness? How have you experienced that? How is Godʼs light greater than the darkness?

Read John 1:6-14

1. How human did the Son become? What evidence do we have that the Son was not merely masquerading as a human, but truly human?
2. Do you think people struggle more with Jesusʼ humanity or divinity? Why do you think that is the case?
3. Do you ever emphasise Jesusʼ humanity over his divinity (or vice versa)? What could be the effect?
4. How is God becoming human a big ʻYESʼ to our humanity and physical world?
5. What does John mean by the Word making his dwelling among us? How is it related to the tabernacle?
6. What are the implications of Jesus dwelling with us? What significance does that have for you?
7. What are the ways that people try to “find God”? How is it through Jesus that we can meet with God?
8. Re-Read verse 12. What is the status we can receive from Jesus? How do we become ʻchildren of Godʼ?
9. What are the types of filters that prevent or inhibit us from seeing who Jesus is fully? Do you have any filters that particularly are a struggle for you?
10. What could help you this year to let the wonder of the incarnation interrupt your life more?  

APPLY: What is one practical way (this advent) that can help you to grow in the wonder of the incarnation?

On Your Frontline This Week: Who are you going to invite to CAROLS? Of all events in the year - this is the simplest invite! Maybe you could invite a neighbour, family friend, colleague or someone youʼve just met.

Listen, Watch, and Read:          

• WATCH: Seminary Now: Talks on Advent
• LISTEN: Word Became Flesh by Stephen Nichols
• LISTEN: Carols Service Talk by William Taylor
• LISTEN: In the Beginning by Tim Keller
  

SERIES Resources:

• Series Overview (PDF & Audiobook)
• Read: “The God who Became Human” by Graham Cole
• Read: “On the Incarnation” by Athanasius
• Read: “What Christians Ought to Believe” by Michael Bird
• Read: “Is Christmas Unbelievable” by Rebecca McLaughlin
• Watch: “The Word Becomes Human” by the Bible Project
• Watch: “The Incarnation (Spoken Word)” by Humble Word
• Listen: A Carols Playlist (curated by the St Bartʼs staff team)