Message on Sunday, December 22, 2019

CHRISTMAS FOR EVERYONE

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE: Titus 2:11-14

Main Theme: Salvation, Transformation, Meaning of Christmas
(See background information below.)

Guide for Crossroads Community Groups:

1. Welcome: Read the purpose of your group:

   Our purpose is to multiply groups. We do this by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and multiply God's kingdom.

2. Worship: Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Show a video with the lyrics, such as  Worthy of it All.

3. Review:

   • What has God been telling you this week in your personal time with Him?

   • How did you do with what you wanted to apply from last week?

   • With whom did you share what you learned last week?

   • Who did you invite to the group for this week?

4. Opening Question:
   Why is the world so full of evil?

5. Introduction: Read the background information below.

6. Word: Read this week’s scripture aloud together. (Goal is that everyone understand the Bible story — keep at it until everyone knows the story.)

   • What key (important) words do you see in these verses?

   • Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.

   • What are the details? What details can you add to what others in the group have said?

7. Discussion: Discuss together the questions below.

8. Application: For these questions, you may want to divide into two groups for males and females.

9. Prayer Time:

   • Pray for an empty chair, representing new people you want to join the group. Think of specific people to pray for by name.

   • Divide into two groups for males and females to pray for the needs of the members of the group.

10. For Next Time:

    • Assign group members who are ready to do different parts of the next meeting as you prepare them (opening question; prayer time; read background info; lead group).

    • Ask each person the name of someone they will invite to the group for next week.
      
      

Background Information

Background Information:

Paul is writing this book to the leader of the followers of Jesus on the Island of Crete, a man named Titus. Titus is the person Paul has left in charge of the churches that are on that Island. The purpose of the letter is to instruct the people on how to live the Christian life. Four times Paul mentions the phrase be eager to do good. Verses 11-14 are a simple summary of the Christian faith. Jesus came and died for us to bring us grace by which we are saved. This grace also teaches us how to behave now and instructs us to wait for Jesus' return with hope. Finally it exhorts us to be active in doing good.

Key Verse: Jesus Christ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own eager to do what is good. — Titus 2:14

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE:

Titus 2:11-14

Discussion Questions

1. What new thing did you discover in the story, or are there any verses that you didn’t know before?

2. What do you learn about God (Father, Jesus, or Holy Spirit) from the story? 

3. What do you learn about people from the story?

4. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

5. What will you take away from this discussion?

6. What will you do with what you have learned?

7. As a result of this study, what do you need to stop doing?

8. As a result of this study, what do you need to start doing?

Commitment — Obedience — Application

1. Jesus taught you this today because someone in your life needs to hear it. With whom in your inner circle of relationships will you share what you have learned through this study?

2. What specifically will you commit to apply in your life from this study?