December 25

The Great Commission
Matthew 28:18-20 (HCSB) 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”


Discuss: We are to love others as we love ourselves. How do you love yourself? When we practice Christian disciplines we love ourselves. How are you doing praying, studying the Word, fasting, giving, attending church? How are you doing loving your neighbor (near ones)?

Sing: “O Come All Ye Faithful”
http://www.carols.org.uk/o_come_all_ye_faithfu1.htm


Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to love others as I continue to love myself. Amen.

December 24

The Great Commandment
Mark 12:28-31 (HCSB) 28 One of the scribes approached. When he heard them debating and saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 “This is the most important,” Jesus answered: Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is One. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 31 “The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”


Discuss: So Jesus came into the world as a baby- as a human to save us from our sin. What do we do now? How should that impact our lives? Jesus told us the most important thing. Love God with all you are! Love God with all your heart (worship), your soul (personal time), mind (study the Word) and strength (service and missions). How are you doing in your all out love for God?

Sing: “Joy to the World”
http://www.carols.org.uk/a27-joy-to-the-world.htm



Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me love God with all that I am. Amen.

December 23

Matthew 2:10-11 (HCSB) 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure. 11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Read the complete passage: Matthew 2:9-12 (HCSB)

Discuss: Christmas is about giving. God gave His son. The wise men gave gifts to Jesus. What gifts do you bring? Just as God gave us His Son, He also gave us gifts with which to serve. How can you use those gifts to give back to Him?

Sing: “We Three Kings”
http://www.carols.org.uk/we_three_kings_of_0rient_are.htm


Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me serve you as a gift to you. Amen.

December 22

Matthew 2:1-2 (HCSB) 1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

Read the complete passage: Matthew 2:1-8

Discuss: The wise men sought out Jesus. How many times in our lives do we forget to seek Jesus for the answers to our problems and questions? What is something you need to seek Jesus about today?

Sing: “O Holy Night”
http://www.carols.org.uk/a32-o-holy-night.htm


Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to seek you to be the answer for my questions. Amen.

December 21

Luke 2:17-18 (HCSB) 17 After seeing [them], they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Read the complete passage: Luke 2:15-20

Discuss: When the shepherds heard, they wanted to tell others. We should also want to tell the story of Jesus to others. How can you share the message of Jesus with others today?

Sing: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
http://www.carols.org.uk/o_come_come_emmanuel.htm

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to be a messenger of the good news like the shepherds. Amen.

December 20

Luke 2:10-11 (HCSB) 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.

Read the complete passage: Luke 2:8-14

Discuss: Good news of great joy! How’s your joy meter this time of year? Isn’t it funny that the time of year we sing about the great joy tends to be the most stress filled time of the year? Relax! Celebrate! Have Joy!

Sing: “Angels We have heard on high”
http://www.christmas-carols.net/carols/heard-on-high.html

Prayer: Lord Jesus, it is joyous to know you have come! Give me joy in this season and always! Amen.

December 19

Luke 2:7 (HCSB) Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a manger—because there was no room for them at the inn.

Read the complete passage: Luke 2:1-7

Discuss: When you get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas, do you sometimes have no room for Jesus? What place does he have in your home/office/life this Christmas?

Sing: “Go Tell it on the Mountain”
http://www.carols.org.uk/ba20-go-tell-it-to-the-mountain.htm

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to clear out the clutter of my life and have room to make Jesus the most important thing. Amen.

December 18

Matthew 1:20-21 (HCSB) 20 …an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to (Joseph)… saying, “…(Mary) will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
Read the complete passage Matthew 1:20-24

Discuss: Jesus’ name literally means “one who saves.” Jesus came to save us from our sin. Remember to share this message with someone this week!

Sing: “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”
http://www.carols.org.uk/it_came_upon_a_midnight_clear.htm

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for coming at Christmas to save us from our sins. Amen.

December 17

Luke 1:35, 37 (HCSB) The angel replied to (Mary): “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the holy One to be born will be called the Son of God….For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Read the complete passage Luke 1:26-38

Discuss: What would you do if God shared that you would be a part of the impossible? What tasks/assignments has God given you that you asked “how can this be?”

Sing: “Silent Night”
http://www.carols.org.uk/silent_night.htm

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to accept your will even when it seems impossible. Amen.

December 16

Isaiah 7:14 (HCSB) Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.

Discuss: Jesus was to be called “Immanuel” or “Emmanuel” This means “God with us.” How has God been with you this past year?

Sing: “Emmanuel”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am so glad you are with me! May I live in Your presence each day. Amen.

December 15

Micah 5:2 (HCSB) Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity, from eternity

Discuss: The small town of Bethlehem became the mighty birthplace of the King! Have you ever considered anything that you have done as small? When you serve Jesus, nothing you do is small!

Sing: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
http://www.carols.org.uk/o_little_town_of_bethlehem.htm

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to serve you no matter how I feel about the extent of my service. May the small things I do for you, give great glory to God! Amen.

December 14

Isaiah 40:11 (HCSB) He protects His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries [them] in the fold of His [garment]. He gently leads those that are nursing.

Discuss: What are the times when you need and want Jesus to gather you in His arms? When do you resist this? How does Jesus lead the young?

Sing: “Away in a Manger”
http://wilstar.com/xmas/awayinamanger.htm

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Take me in your arms and comfort me. Forgive me where I fail you and restore me to yourself. Amen.

December 13

Isaiah 9:7 (HCSB) The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.

Discuss: Jesus’ kingdom is forever! How can you better understand the concept of forever? How does this help you in your discipleship journey?

Sing: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
http://www.carols.org.uk/god_rest_ye_merry_gentlemen.htm

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you came to establish a kingdom that will last forever. Thank you for letting me be a part of that kingdom. Amen.

December 12

Isaiah 9:6 (HCSB) For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Discuss: How has Jesus been a Wonderful Counselor to you? Mighty God? Eternal Father? Prince of Peace?

Sing: “What Child is This?”
http://wilstar.com/xmas/whatchildisthis.htm


Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so gracious to us. Thank you for guiding us as Counselor, God, Father, and Friend, full of peace! Amen.

December 11

Isaiah 60:1,3; 49:6 (HCSB) 1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord shines over you…3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your radiance… “I will also make you a light for the nations, to be My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Discuss: What does it mean to you that Jesus is the “light of the world.” How can we show Jesus as a light to the nations?

Sing: “Joy to the World”
http://www.carols.org.uk/a27-joy-to-the-world.htm


Prayer: Lord Jesus, You came to be the light to the nations. Help us to share your love to those around us to help fulfill that promise. Amen.

December 10

Isaiah 9:2 (HCSB) The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of darkness, a light has dawned.

Discuss: This week we will see different things that the prophets predicted about the Messiah, Jesus.
What does it mean to you to “walk in darkness?” How did Jesus fulfill this promise of being a light?

Sing: “The First Noel”
http://www.carols.org.uk/the_first_noel.htm

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you sent your helpers, the prophets to prepare the way for your first coming! Thank you that you came to be the light of the world! Amen.

December 9

John 3:17 (HCSB) For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

Discuss: What is your view of God? Do you see Him as a jolly old man who gives love and joy like Santa Clause? Do you see Hi as a task master waiting for you to do something wrong? What does this verse indicate about the nature of God?

Sing: “O Come, All ye Faithful”
http://www.carols.org.uk/o_come_all_ye_faithful.htm

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Thank you that God loves and seeks to save rather than condemn. Thank you for saving me. Amen.

December 8

John 3:16 (HCSB) “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Discuss: Some say the story of the gospel is in this verse. Could you use this verse to help someone know God? How? Have you made the decision to follow Jesus? If not, do it today!

Sing: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
http://www.carols.org.uk/o_little_town_of_bethlehem.htm

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I ask you to forgive my sin and want to accept the gift of your Son into my life. I want Jesus to be in control in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

December 7

1 John 4:9 (HCSB) God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

Discuss: Why did Jesus came into the world? How can we “live through Him?”

Sing: “Jesus Loves Me”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Thank you for sending Jesus. Thank you that we have the joy of living through Jesus. In His name, Amen!

December 6

John 1:29 (HCSB) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Discuss: Who did John the Baptist say Jesus was? What does that mean?

Sing: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

http://www.carols.org.uk/hark_the_herald_angels_sing.htm

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that you came as a lamb to be a sacrifice for our sins. Thank you. Amen.

December 5

Romans 3:23 (HCSB) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Discuss: How many of us have sinned? What does it mean to “fall short of God’s Glory?”

Sing: “Jesus Loves the Little Children”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you love us and want us to realize we are sinners. Forgive us for our sin. In Jesus’ name, amen.

December 4

Isaiah 53:6 (HCSB) We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished Him for the iniquity of us all.

Discuss: How have you gone astray like a sheep? Have you needed someone to guide your way? How was Jesus punished for the iniquity (sin) of us all?

Sing: “Good, Christian Men, Rejoice”
http://www.carols.org.uk/good_christian_men_rejo1ce.htm

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for our sin. Thank you that when we went astray, you came after us. In Jesus name, Amen.