THREE THINGS TO KNOW
DON’T MISS THIS. December is here, and CHRISTMAS SERVICES are happening December 21, 22, 23 and 24. Consider who God is calling you to invite to join you at this year’s Christmas service. Learn more and find all service times and locations at adabible.org/christmas/.
GROUP VALUES. This December, we’re focusing on SPIRITUAL PRACTICES. Christians have been doing these activities for centuries in concert with the Holy Spirit to train themselves to be godly. Building or restarting these habits deepens our relationship with God and molds us more into the character of Jesus. This month, amid the hustle and bustle of the season, discuss ways you can slow down together to intentionally draw close to God as a group.
GROW AS A LEADER.One of our core small group values at Ada Bible Church is to INVEST IN OTHERS. Groups often invest in others during the Holiday season by serving. Consider serving together as a group this Christmas! Find our Christmas serving opportunities at adabible.info>THIS WEEKEND>SERVE CHRISTMAS.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
This week, we begin our new sermon series, ANCESTORS OF THE KING. This week, we examine what it means when Jesus is called “the son of Abraham” in Matthew’s Gospel and how God’s promises to Abraham affect our lives today.
ICEBREAKER
What’s a movie you loved when you were younger that didn’t quite hold up when you watched it again years later?
THIS WEEK’S TEXT
Have someone read Genesis 12:1-3 and Matthew 1:1 aloud.
What stands out to you about God’s promises to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3?
Why do you think Matthew begins his Gospel by connecting Jesus to Abraham?
How many times is the word “bless” or “blessing” used in Genesis 12:1-3, and what might that tell us about God’s intentions?
THIS WEEK’S SERMON
Pastor Aaron Buer began our new sermon series, ANCESTORS OF THE KING, by discussing how Jesus fulfilled God’s promises to Abraham. As a group, recall some of the sermon’s big ideas and main points.
How do you see people today trying to find blessing or fulfillment apart from God?
Pastor Aaron defined blessing as “divine favor and provision that leads to flourishing.” When you think about your definition of the blessed life, how similar or different is it from what God offered Abraham—a life of blessing through trusting and following him?
Like Abraham being asked to leave everything familiar, trusting God is often stepping into uncertainty. When do you find it hardest to trust God’s way over your own way? What makes trust difficult?
Share about a time when trusting God’s way—even though it was difficult and the situation may not have changed—led to experiencing his blessing in your life.
God’s blessing was meant to flow through Abraham and his family to others. Think about how you have experienced God’s blessings. How might God want to use those blessings to benefit others this holiday season?
God promised Abraham that all peoples would be blessed through him—a promise fulfilled in Jesus. Who do you know that needs to hear about the blessing of knowing Jesus? What specific opportunities might God be giving you to share with them?
How can our group help each other live out the truth that through Jesus, we are blessed to bless others?
WRAP UP
This week, we discussed how Jesus fulfills God’s promises to Abraham to bless all peoples. What from this conversation or the sermon encouraged or challenged you the most, and why?