Session 1: The Wonder of His Presence

Note to Leader

We intentionally created this study guide with more than enough material so that you can pick the questions that work best for your group. Before your meeting, watch the video, read the study guide’s corresponding session, and decide which questions you’d like to discuss. For more information on using this guide in your group, click the three lines in the menu bar and select How to Use This Guide. Thank you for choosing this study and for faithfully leading your group.

Session Goals

Every session has a point—what each participant should walk away from the discussion knowing, feeling, and doing.

Main Idea: We can trust God even in our unknown circumstances because we have the promise of his presence.

Head Change: To know God is always with us—even in our unknown circumstances.

Heart Change: To feel peace regardless of what difficulties we are facing.

Life Change: To tell others that God is present with us.

Open

Have you ever visited a familiar place or rewatched a familiar movie with a friend or child who was seeing it for the first time? Did their response change your perspective? If so, in what ways?

It’s easy to get comfortable with a place we frequent or a movie we’ve seen countless times. But when we join someone witnessing it for the first time, it can be magical. In a way, we get a chance to see it again with fresh eyes. What delighted us when we first experienced it can delight us again.

In this series, pastor Jarrett Stephens will help us revisit a familiar story—the Christmas story—but with a fresh perspective. In this session, he will explore the wonder of Christ’s presence.

View

Before viewing the session, here are a few important things to look for in Jarrett’s teaching. As you watch, pay attention to how he answers the following questions.

What did the angels say to everyone they visited?

According to Jarrett, what is the message of Christmas?

Watch Session 1: The Wonder of His Presence (13 minutes).

Review

This series focuses on regaining the wonder of Christmas. In this session, we looked at God’s promised presence with his people.

Jarrett opened this session with a story about his family’s Christmas snow globe. For him, having seen it “a thousand times,” it was just a decoration. But for his daughters, seeing it with fresh eyes, they were mesmerized by it. For Christians, the way we see Christmas is often the way Jarrett saw that snow globe. Sometimes it takes the fresh perspective of others to remind us of how wonderful the story of Christmas is. Have you ever found yourself indifferent to the Christmas story? If so, what have you done to reignite your wonder of the Christmas story? If the story never gets old for you, how have you kept it fresh?

Jarrett discussed the stories of three angel visits. Let’s take some time to review each story.

Read Luke 1:26–38. The angel brought Mary good news, but God’s good plan also presented real complications. As Jarrett said, “In her culture, this could cost [Mary] everything—her reputation, her marriage, possibly even her life.” While God will never call us to do something that contradicts his Word, following Christ often costs us something. Maybe it’s passing on a job promotion that would take you away from your family. Or swapping your luxury vacation for a mission trip. 

Luke 1:26–38 ESV

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

When have you obeyed God, even when it cost you something? Was it worth it? In what ways can you focus on God’s faithfulness regardless of the outcome?

Read Matthew 1:18–25. When Joseph found out Mary was pregnant, his world must have felt completely upside down. Through a dream, the Lord sent an angel to encourage Joseph to follow through with his marriage to Mary. While God may not speak to you through a dream, he does speak through his Word and through other believers. 

Matthew 1:18–25 ESV

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

When has God used his Word, a sermon, or a Christian to encourage you in a difficult decision? What could it look like to use Scripture or your words to encourage a believer who is struggling?

Joseph decided he would divorce Mary instead of having her stoned. While his response to Mary’s situation was generous by Jewish standards, God wanted Joseph to go beyond what was socially acceptable and trust him with the outcome. Similarly, we may find that when we have a difficult decision to make, we have more than one option—one that looks right on paper, but isn’t what God has called us to, and one that’s more difficult but we know is what God’s leading us to. 

How do you know what decision to make when there is more than one option? When have you known that the decision you needed to make was the more difficult choice? What was it like to trust God with the outcome?

Read Luke 2:8–15. Jarrett noted that the shepherds were in the field doing their jobs on an ordinary night. In this place, the Lord entered the shepherd’s world and revealed his presence. We can remember God’s presence in our ordinary moments as well. Perhaps it’s in a beautiful sunrise on the way to work. Or in the kindness of a stranger. 

Luke 2:8–15 ESV

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

In what circumstances have you been surprised by God’s presence? What are some simple ways you can remind others of God’s presence?

Jarrett said, “We can trust God to show up in our unknown circumstances because the savior the angels promised would be present with them is present with us as well.” In a world where we can’t control our circumstances, we have plenty of reasons to worry or be afraid, but we can trust that God is always with us—even if hard things still happen. 

What tempts you to be afraid or worry? What does this simple but profound instruction not to be afraid do for your heart? Does it give you courage? Comfort you? For what reasons?

The same God who showed up for Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds shows up for us today. Recalling the ways God has provided in the past is powerful. We often call these stories testimonies. 

When has God provided for you in a difficult circumstance? What did it look like to trust God even when the outcome wasn’t what you wanted?

Read Matthew 28:19–20. In Jesus’s final words before ascending to heaven, he commissioned his disciples to spread the good news throughout the world. But before he left, he said he would be present with them always. This promise is for all believers: God is present in our unknown circumstances. As we work to share the gospel with others, we can trust that God is with us. 

Do you struggle to believe that God is with you? If so, for what reasons? What can you do to remember his presence?

Bible Exploration

God’s instructions not to fear and his assurance of being near to his people are found not only in the New Testament, but in the Old Testament as well. God has been making his presence known and encouraging his people from the beginning. In the book of Joshua, for instance, the opening words are similar to those that Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds heard from the angels.

Read Joshua 1:1–9.

Joshua 1:1–9 ESV

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua waited to enter the Promised Land for a long time. From slavery in Egypt to wandering in the desert for forty years, Joshua had done a lot of waiting and watching. But after Moses died, God placed Joshua in charge and told him it was time to conquer the land. It would have been natural and understandable for Joshua to be a little hesitant. In our own lives, we may wait days, weeks, or even years for something to change. But when it happens—for good or bad—it can be hard. 

What changes are you facing that you are hesitant to make or embrace? For what reasons are you hesitant to make or embrace these changes? What comfort do you have in knowing that no matter your circumstances, God is with you?

Re-read Joshua 1:8. God not only promised his presence with the Israelites, but he also instructed the Israelites to keep his Word near and internalize it. God’s Word is a source of comfort, instruction, and encouragement to us as well. 

What Scripture passages bring you comfort when you are uncertain about your next steps? What practices (Scripture memory, regular Bible reading, displaying verses in prominent places) do you use to remember God’s promise of his presence with you?

Re-read verse 9. The message Joshua received from God is the same message Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds received. “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 

In what ways does it encourage you to know that the message of God’s presence is found in both the Old and New Testaments? What other verses do you know that talk about God’s presence?

There’s a difference between ignoring your situation and finding comfort in God’s presence even as you face hardship. As Jarrett acknowledged, you don’t have to be afraid, “not because your circumstances aren’t real. Not because the fear isn’t justified. But because you don’t have to face it alone.” 

What is difficult in your life right now? What hope did this session give you, even as you face hardship? Who in your life is helping you feel less alone? Who do you know who needs to hear that God is with them in their struggles?

Last Word

Jarrett closed this session with a reminder: “The savior who was promised to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds—he’s here, he’s present, he’s with you right now in this very moment.” Christmas reminds us that regardless of our circumstances, we don’t have to be afraid, and we are never alone—God is always with us. This week, remember that Christ is present with you always, and look for ways to share his presence with others.

Deeper Walk

Read: Study Joshua 1:1–9. Make observations on what God instructs Joshua to do and what promises he gives. For example, in verse 2, God instructs Joshua to cross the Jordan with the Israelites. In verse 5, God promises to be with Joshua. In what ways does this passage encourage you?

Write: Reflect on how God has made his presence known in your life in past situations. Journal your gratitude for how he has provided for you. In whatever circumstances you face right now, remind yourself that he is always with you.

Pray: Thank God for his presence in your life. If you are experiencing unknown circumstances, ask God to help you to rely on him instead of living in fear.

Memorize: Commit Joshua 1:9 to memory: “Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (CSB).