the dark side of christmas

CELL MATTERS

“The dark side of Christmas”

OPENING QUESTIONS:

1. What kinds of things do you do to get ready for Christmas?
2. What is one of your family’s favorite traditions to do at Christmas time?

DIGGING DEEPER:

1. READ Malachi 4:1-6.
2. Malachi says a “Day is coming”.  Describe what that day will be like.

    

3. Malachi describes two very different reactions to this day.  What are they? 

    

4. According to verse 5-6, what will God do before that day comes? 

    

5. So God prepared for Christmas by sending a prophet like Elijah ahead of Christ.  How was John the Baptist like Elijah? (see II Kings 1:8)

    

6. Now READ Matthew 2:1-3.

    

7. How did the Magi react to the news of Christ’s birth?

    

8. How did Herod react to the news of Christ’s birth?

    

9. Why do you think their reactions were so different?

    

GETTING PERSONAL:

1. “You can love Jesus and you can hate Jesus but it is impossible to be indifferent about Jesus.”  Do you agree with this statement or disagree?  Why? 
2. In your “journey” toward God, how are you like the Magi?  Have you had to leave anything to follow Jesus?

PRAYER:

1. Pray for those you know who are in a place of rejecting Christ.  Ask God to soften their hearts.  Ask God to soften your own heart as well.
2. Pray for one another’s needs.

PLANNING:

1. What can your group do this Christmas to being God’s hope and love to your friends and neighbors?