Light & Life To All He Brings
God loves us so much that He gave us Jesus, the most perfect gift possible, so that we can live with Him forever (John 3:16).
KEY VERSES
John 3:16 (NASB)
16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.
Luke 2:11 (NASB)
11 For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Matthew 1:21 (NASB)
21 She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1)
1 Timothy 1:15 (NASB)
15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost. (1 Timothy)
UNDERSTANDING
Do you enjoy finding the perfect gift for the people you love at Christmas, or would you rather they just tell you what to get them? Why?
Do you typically give gifts that are personal or gifts that meet a need? What is an example of a gift that accomplishes both at the same time?
What is a gift you have given or received at Christmas that was especially meaningful? Explain. If you were the giver, was your gift received in the way you intended? Explain.
Pastor Jeff said, “Not every Christmas gift comes beautifully boxed, tied up with a ribbon and bow.” In your own words, what did he mean by that? How should that truth impact your life this Christmas season?
Why did God send Jesus to earth? What are some other reasons people might give for Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection?
Why does the gospel require us to always hold God’s love for us and Jesus’s coming together? When we ignore or dismiss God’s love as the motivating factor for Jesus’s advent, what do we miss out on?
What did the gospel cost God? What did it give you in return?
Why isn’t it enough to merely know that God loves us? Why must we consider the manner in which God demonstrates His love for us through the sacrifice of His Son?
How does this verse speak to the personal nature of God’s gift of Jesus?
Some people equate “personal” with “unique to me alone.” Why is that attitude about God’s gift of Jesus short-sighted?
What happens when people understand “you” in Luke 2:11 in its context to the shepherds, but not to themselves personally (i.e. They fail to understand, appreciate, and accept the perfect gift God has given them. They see God not as a loving Father but as Someone they must somehow attempt to please.)?
What does it look like when people understand “you” in Luke 2:11 to only include them personally, but not other people (i.e. They don’t share the gospel.)?
God’s love for you and all of us motivated Him to send the gift of His Son Jesus. From these two verses, why did God send Jesus?
Paul lived his whole post-conversion life preaching the gospel on mission at great personal cost and sacrifice. Considering this, why do you think Paul called himself “foremost” among sinners?
Why must we see our need for Jesus before we can truly receive the perfect gift of Jesus?
What is different about a person who understands his or her greatest need as forgiveness from sin? How can you know if you’re taking your sin and need for forgiveness for granted?
APPLICATION
The perfect gift of Jesus is personal and meets a specific need. Which of these two points of application stand out to you the most today? Why?
What is a situation in your life where you need to see some light and life? What light and life does God’s perfect gift of Jesus bring to that situation?
With whom can you share the light and life of Jesus, God’s perfect gift? What is difficult about that?
What from this week’s study should motivate you to share the gospel with regularity?
WANT TO DIVE DEEPER?
Joining a group is a great way to know people and strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ. Take a look at available groups to get plugged in to and find the group that is right for you.
GIVING
Everything that happens at LCC is because of your generous gifts. When you give to God through LCC, you're helping reach thousands with the Gospel each week and are making a difference for the Lowcountry and around the world.