Christmas #1 – The arrival of Immanuel - Impact Groups

Matthew 1:18-25

Ready for Impact (10 minutes)

Catch up on how things have been over the past week. Then ask group members to share a way in which God has worked in your life in a surprising way.

Pray that you’d be deeply impacted by God’s word and be equipped to impact others in Jesus’ name. Ask a group member to read Matthew 1:18-25. We’re not using videos for Christmas Impact groups, so you might like to read the passage twice.

Impacted by the Word (20 minutes)

Suggested questions to help your discussion.

As you heard the account of the birth of Jesus, what caught your attention today?
Joseph was an ordinary man to whom something extraordinary happened. How is his reaction to Mary’s pregnancy totally understandable?
Which of Joseph’s fears does the angel address?
What would it ‘cost’ Joseph to go ahead and marry Mary?
How does the angel convince Joseph to marry Mary and become Jesus’ adoptive father nonetheless?
What strikes most you about what the angel says about Jesus?
The angel gives Jesus the title Immanuel. This means God with us. How does it encourage you that God has not stayed far off?
How does Joseph’s story encourage you to cooperate with God even when he is asking you to do something very difficult?

Impacting Our Hearts (10 minutes)

Matthew 1 teaches us that God sometimes demands risky obedience from his people. Yet he always walks with us, as Immanuel. We are never alone.

Does anyone in your group currently feel in this situation? What is most frightening about it?
What are the ‘costs’ of obedience involved?
How does it encourage you to know that Immanuel is with you?

Pray for these situations and for other needs within your group.

Impacting the University (20 minutes)

As we head into Christmas, there’s lots we’ll miss this year. But what opportunities do we have to show something of the reality of our Immanuel God?

(Leaders – think how you could make this part of your gathering Christmassy. It might be possible to deliver a mince pie or a mulled wine teabag to each member for them to open at this point. Or simply play Christmas music in the background!)

Close your eyes. When you think of Christmas, what do you picture? What does Christmas feel like? Smell like? Sound like?
Even in our unusual circumstances, how can we build a sense of anticipation of Christmas amongst friends or those we live with?

Here are some ideas.

Decorations. How might you bring some cheer to where you live?
Food. Who could you cook some Christmas food with? Perhaps your flat could bake gingerbread houses together?
Surprise. Could you be the one to organise a secret Santa for a group of friends?

Agree the time your Impact Group will meet next week, and close in prayer.