CONNECT:  This Christmas, how can you revel more in your salvation?

WARM-UP  Question

1. What are some things that you find really satisfying in everyday life? 
2. Who are the most important people in your life? How do you show and demonstrate this?

READ Luke 2:21-28

1. Since Jesus is fully human and fully God, why did he undergo these rituals? What is their significance? 
2. There is little background provided about Simeon other than he was “righteous and devout,” yet he plays a significant role in this passage. How should this be an encouragement to us?
3. So far in Luke, the Holy Spirit has been said to have come on a number of people. Who are these people and why is this outpouring such an exciting thing?
4. What did the Spirit reveal to Simeon? What was to be the role of the Messiah?
5. How did Simeon react to the prompting of the Spirit? How should we discern and react to His prompting? 

READ Luke 2:29-40

1. What was the reaction of Simeon while holding this baby? Why was he ready to be ‘dismissed’?
2. Simeon says that his eyes have seen God’s salvation, what does he mean by that? Who has access to this salvation? Why is salvation so important? If Jesus is integral to salvation, how does this affect where we place him in importance in our lives?
3. What was one of the major roles of the nation of Israel? How did they go with this? How is Jesus the true Israelite?
4. Can you think of some examples of how Jesus caused the falling and rising of the Israelites? 
5. Who were the first people to recognise King Jesus for who he really is? What does this communicate about the type of King Jesus was going to be?
6. In 2020, what are some things you need to leave behind in order to live more effectively with Jesus as King? What are some things that you can do in 2020 to help your relationship with Jesus?
7. Who in 2020 can you share the good news of King Jesus with? How could you do this in 2020?

APPLY: In response to the Gospel, what can help you prioritise Jesus in 2020?

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On Your Frontline This Week: As we enter a new year, who is the one person you can (or continue) to pray for each day, that they would become a follower of Jesus?

Listen:

• “The Nunc Dimittis” by Kent Hughe
• “The Song of Simeon” by Alistair Begg
• “Luke 2:22-38” by Dick Lucas

Read:

• “Maybe You’re Unhappy Because You’re Too Big and Bored” by Trevin Wax
• “Adoring Jesus and Being at Peace, Like Simeon” by Scotty Smith
  

Other Helpful Resources (For Series):

• “Hidden Christmas” by Tim Keller
• The Bible Project on Luke

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