Herod | A Promise of Peace Week 4
What’s your favorite scene from the Christmas movie Elf? (and if you haven’t watched it, please go do that immediately…please!) Sigh But if you haven’t, share a scene from your favorite Christmas movie.
Herod craved the acceptance and approval of others to find fulfillment, but was frustrated because the people around him were unable to meet his needs. Where have you been frustrated in your own life, and what is your natural response to that frustration?
Read Psalm 37:8. Anger is a natural response when we feel injustice, but with Jesus we have the power to respond with grace. Where have feelings of anger and discontent sucked peace out of your life, and where do you see the potential for growth?
Read 1 Peter 4:10-11. We’re all just middle managers, stewards of the gifts and blessings God has given us. In what area of your life can you surrender your expectations and develop a servant’s heart this week? Share a specific gift or story with the group, and decide on an action step.
Now close your time in prayer. Here’s an example: “Lord, thank you for sending your son Jesus to save us. Thank you that we can depend on your promises, that nothing and no one can thwart your plans. We ask for the faith to find our ultimate peace in you and the identity that you give us as your children, rather than the identities that others put on us. Please banish the spirits of anger and discontentment from us. We love you and trust in your plans for our lives. Amen.”
“Peace on earth, good will to men.” Yeah, right—not these days. How is our Christmas supposed to be peaceful when it feels like there’s opposition and resistance everywhere we look? Everywhere we turn, there’s someone or something else tearing apart our hopes for peace this Christmas. If that’s how you feel, then you’re not alone—this is exactly the sort of situation Jesus himself arrived in two thousand years ago. Today Brian talks about how we let go of our plans and make room for the peace Jesus offers.