Christmas Invitations: You are invited into the story of Jesus
The accounts of the birth of Jesus is full of unlikely participants, yet they were invited in by God to be part of history. God is a God of invitations to join Him in His story of redemption.
Week 3: Christmas Invitations: Invited to Trust & Obey – Matthew 1:18-25; 2:13-23
God’s invitation to Joseph was to trust God by obeying what He asked Him to do, even when it’s difficult. That is God’s invitation to us as well. Trust and obey.
LIVE OAK CONNECTION POINT:
Join us for Christmas Eve services on December 24 at 3:00, 4:30, and 6:00pm. Find more details at live-oak.org/christmaseve
DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- What’s something the holidays make you grateful for — or long for?
- Who or what helps you stay grounded during the holiday chaos?
- What do you know about Joseph? Share details you know.
READ: Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 2:13-23
Spend some time SOAPing this passage. You can either spend time SOAPing individually and documenting for a several minutes and then spend time sharing with each -OR- SOAP in real time with each other. Either way make as many observations as you can.
- Observations: What are the things that stand out to you about this passage?
- How would you summarize this passage in one sentence?
- What does this passage tell me about who God is?
- What does this passage tell me about who I am?
- What did Joseph have to set aside to say “yes” to God’s plans for him? How did his plans change?
- What do you think of when you hear the word “obedience”? Why do you think obedience matters to God?
- Why is it sometimes difficult to trust God’s commands and plans?
Doug challenged us to answer these 4 questions:
- Am I willing to change my plans to fulfill God’s purposes and His plans for me?
- Am I being selective in the truth of God I cling to? Do I hold on to His promises but skip over some of His commands?
- When was the last time you did something, or did not do something, simply because God asked you to? Explain.
- Where and how is God inviting you to say “yes” and trust and obey?
- What else stood out from this week’s sermon?
- APPLICATION: What is your big takeaway from this week’s sermon? Be specific.
NEXT STEPS:
Everyone has a next step to apply what we have learned. What is your next step?Be specific.
*** 3 SERVICES (8:30am/10am/ 11:30am):
>What service will you be ATTENDING starting January 11, 2026?
>If you already serve on Sundays, what service will you be SERVING starting January 11?
>If you not already serving on Sundays, would you pray about serving on Sundays to allow us to create a service for us to make room for more?
*Go to SIGN UP & EVENTS to let us know which service you will be attending and serving, or to sign up to serve.
MEMORY VERSE: *Challenge yourself or your group to commit this verse to memory:
John 14:23 “Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.’”
PRAYER:
Spend some time praying for each other.
Scripture References:
Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 2:13-23; 1 John 5:3 John 14:23; John 6:38-40; Philippians 2:6-8