Looking for a Sign (Study Guide)

 “Looking for a Sign”

Sermon Study Guide for December 21, 2025


Downloadable Version


Scripture: Luke 2:8-20


1. The Shepherds

Bethlehem - sheep & shepherds (Psalm 23:1)


at night…


angels



2. The Signs


He will be ______________________________





He will be ______________________________





God shows up in the _____________________






Questions to Discuss or Ponder:

  1. What are some of your favorite road signs? What do they tell you to do?
  2. Why do you think God sent the message to these particular shepherds? Who would God send that same message to today?
  3. Do you believe it matters whether or not we know the date of Jesus’ birth? Why?
  4. Why do you think God sent one angel each to Mary and Joseph but a multitude to the shepherds?
  5. What is unique about each of the “signs”? Why would these be helpful to the shepherds?
  6. What do each of the signs tell us about Jesus?
  7. In what way(s) do you plan to worship the newborn king this Christmas? How does he want you to worship him?


Scripture for the Week:

Monday - Psalm 23

Tuesday - Philippians 2:1-11

Wednesday - Luke 2:1-7

Thursday - John 1:1-14

Friday - Matthew 1:18-25

Saturday - Isaiah 61:10-11


In response to this Scripture, how will you live?




Prayer Prompt: To be looking for signs like the shepherds.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Of the Same Mind

Image
Job 2:11-13 May 18, 2025 • Mount Pleasant UMC Well, it’s been an interesting year so far, but I am glad to be back in the pulpit today. I appreciate Pastor Rick jumping in to help with an extra week of preaching and all the other things, and I have appreciated all the calls and texts and messages and “Facebook likes” and chai tea lattes that have come my way. It has been quite a journey, one that is not over yet as there is yet another surgery in my near future, but I have appreciated the care that has come my way. Many of you know our sermon schedule is prayerfully planned out months in advance. And I can’t tell you how many times someone tells me, “That was exactly what I needed to hear today.” Well, today, I might be the one saying that because it seems that our preplanned schedule has lined up pretty well with my life. So don’t tell me the Holy Spirit can’t work through advance plans! As you know if you’ve been here with us, we’ve been looking at characteristics of communi...
Read more

First Focus (Study Guide)

“First Focus” Sermon Study Guide for April 8, 2018 Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15 Everyone prays… The Lord’s Prayer Jewish & Gentile Prayer “Teach us to pray…” A framework… Myths about prayer 2. Praying the Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven… Hallowed be thy name… Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in  heaven… Give us this day our daily bread… And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who  trespass against us… And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from  evil… For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen. Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What was the first prayer you remember praying? What questions or struggles do you have when it comes to prayer? What has been your pattern of prayer up to this point? Are you satisfied with your prayer life? Why or why not? Why do we tend to believe “myths” about prayer (li...
Read more

God on the Gallows (Study Guide)

  “God on the Gallows” Sermon Study Guide for March 9, 2025 Downloadable Version Scripture: Luke 23:44-49 Power of the cross… 1. Where is God? a world where innocents suffer… Elie Wiesel “God is on the gallows” 2. The Cross a. Sun _____________________ (23:44-45) Amos 8:9-10 b. Curtain _____________________ (23:45) c. Witness ______________________ (23:47) 3. The Others (23:49) Romans 8:18 “Into your hands…” Questions to Discuss or Ponder: When have you experienced or witnessed an innocent person or group suffering? What was your response? Recall a time when you wondered where God was. How did you feel? How did you react? If you had been in the crowd on the day the sun went dark, what would have been your response? What is God trying to say through this sign? Why did the disciples and friends of Jesus stay around for so long? What do you think they were hoping for, watching for? In what way is hope a powerful antidote to the suffering of the world? What is your ...
Read more