The Word Became Flesh (John 1:6-8)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. How would you summarize the message of John the Baptist?

  2. How should John the Baptist’s message increase our faith in Jesus?

  3. John the Baptist was never committed to exalting himself. Instead, he was committed to exalting Jesus. As Christians, how can we practically adopt a similar way of living?

  4. We see in Acts 1:8 that we, too, are called to be witnesses of Jesus. What are some of the biggest obstacles you face when it comes to sharing your faith with others? How can you become more bold in talking about Jesus with those around you?

The Word Became Flesh (John 1:1-4)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. How does John 1:1-4 teach us that the manger wasn’t the beginning of Jesus’ story?

  2. How should these verses deepen our faith in Jesus?

  3. On Sunday, we were reminded that if God did not despise humble living, we shouldn’t either. What are some practical ways we can live humbly during this Christmas season?

  4. What are some of the biggest threats to living humbly during Christmas season?

Zechariah 4:11-14

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. How often do you think about the truth that God is all-seeing? When you do think about it, how does it make you feel?

  2. Why do you think we try to hide from God, even though he’s all-seeing and all-knowing?

  3. How does the message of the cross draw us out of hiding and into the light?

  4. What are the theological implications of the reality that Jesus is the anointed one? How does this shape the way we live?

Zechariah 4:1-10

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. Read verses 6-7. Then, discuss the importance of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.

  2. Why is it important for us to remember that God’s will is often carried out through small and mundane moments in our life?

  3. How have you seen the LORD use small moments in your life for your good and His glory?

  4. On Sunday we learned that “God’s power is often shown to be most glorious when we are at our weakest.” How have you seen God’s power made perfect through your weakness?

Bonus: Spend some time thinking about someone you know that has stewarded the small moments in life well. Give them a call this week to encourage them.

Zechariah 3:6-10

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. How should the reality of our “past, present, and future sins being dealt with viciously on the cross” impact the way we live?

  2. Discuss for a few minutes the implications of Jesus being “the servant, the branch” prophesied about here in verse 8.

  3. What do you think about the stone having seven eyes?

  4. In verse 10, we see God’s people inviting their neighbors to dwell with them under the security and protection of “the branch.” How should this impact the way we evangelize? Who is someone you can be more intentional in sharing the gospel with?

Zechariah 3:1-5

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. Sometimes we unintentionally believe that Satan and the LORD are on equal footing, battling against one another. Yet, in verse 2, after the LORD rebukes Satan, we never see Satan say another word. Why is it important for us to remember that Satan is a created being that must bow in submission to the LORD of hosts?

  2. Spend a few moments discussing how this passage points ahead to the cross.

  3. Do you ever feel the enemy accusing you of not being fit to be a Christian because of your sin? How do these verses speak to you in these moments?

  4. How does these verses practically impact our day-to-day life?

Zechariah 2:6-13

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. In verses 6-7, we see a call to return to Jerusalem from “dwelling with the daughter of Babylon.” Spend a few minutes discussing how these verses teach us that following Jesus is costly.

  2. How do verses 8-9 teach us that following Jesus is worth it?

  3. In verse 10 we see a call to sing and rejoice because the LORD will “dwell in their midst.” Why should the closeness of God provide joy in the life of a Christian?

  4. Have there been moments in your life where you’ve experienced true joy because of God’s presence? Please take a moment to share.

Zechariah 2:1-5

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. Many interpret these verses to be pointing ahead to the New Testament church. Do you agree? Why or why not?

  2. If you agree with these verses pointing ahead to the New Testament church, how does the reality of the church being a “city without walls” impact our day to day lives as Christians?

  3. What does it mean that the LORD’s glory will “be in her midst?” Why is this good news?

Zechariah 1:16-21

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. Why is it important for us to see and remember that the LORD “returned to his people with mercy?” Do you ever have a hard time believing that God will do the same for you? If so, why? When do struggle most to believe this truth about God?

  2. Spend a few moments discussing the already-not-yet aspects of verse 17. How should both aspects impact the life of a believer?

  3. Read and discuss Zechariah 1:18-21. How do these verses teach us that “repentance leads to security?”

Zechariah 1:7-17

Discussion Questions:

  1. Spend a few minutes discussing how the vision given in these verses teach us the truth that God is all-seeing and all-knowing.

  2. In verse 13, the angel describes the “jealousy” God has for his people and “the anger he has for the nations” as “gracious and comforting.” What about these two things are comforting?

  3. How does this passage give us hope?

Suffering in Hope pt. 3

Discussion Questions:

  1. Read Lamentation 3:22-24. What does it mean that there are new mercies every morning?

  2. Why is it important to lament in the midst of suffering? How do we move from lamenting to healing, from grief to peace, from sorrow to hope?

  3. On Sunday, Brady encouraged the sufferer to “seek out real community.” How can we as a community group live out “real community” in the midst of suffering?

Extra credit: What are some of the deepest fears you experience whenever you encounter suffering?

Suffering in Hope pt. 2

Discussion Questions:

  1. Read and discuss Romans 5:1-5. Why is it important to understand that finding hope in suffering takes time?

  2. On Sunday, Brady said, “Our call to make disciples of all nations doesn’t end when suffering begins.” How can we bear witness to Christ through our suffering?

  3. How have you seen God use your suffering to encourage others?

Suffering in Hope pt. 1

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does the “fall” help shape the Christian’s view of suffering?

  2. Spend a few minutes discussing the quote, “Suffering can help us experience the full depth and breadth of God’s love for us in ways we could never fully experience when things are going well.”

  3. Read 1 Peter 1:3-7. What does it mean that we have been “born again to a living hope?” How should this impact the way walk through suffering?

Haggai 2:15-19

Discussion Questions:

  1. In these verses, we see that things didn’t go well for God’s people whenever they chose to walk in disobedience to the LORD. Have you ever walked through a season of prolonged disobedience as a Christian? How did you fare during this season?

  2. What do verses 10-19 teach us about God’s grace?

  3. God’s people ought to be a gracious people because they belong to a gracious God. How can we practically live graciously as Christians?

Haggai 2:10-14

Discussion questions:

  1. How would you summarize the point being made in verse 14?

  2. Why is it important for us to understand that “good works” cannot cleanse us from sin?

  3. Read 1 John 1:8-9 and James 4:8. How can one become cleansed of their sin?

  4. One of the deepest fears of mankind is to be fully known and not fully loved. How does 1 John and James 4 speak to this fear?

Haggai 2:6-9

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. Read Ephesians 2. Why is it so important to see how the promises made here in Haggai are fulfilled in Jesus?

  2. Read Hebrews 12:26-29. How do these verses give us hope for the future?

  3. Haggai 2:8 tells us that the “silver” and “gold” of the nations ultimately belongs to the LORD. Why is so important for us to remember that our God never lacks anything?

Haggai 2:1-5

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. In verse 5, God reminded his people of the covenant he made with them coming out of Egypt. Why is God’s past faithfulness so important for his people to remember?

  2. What are some practical ways that we can remember God’s faithfulness in our day to day lives

  3. God promised to be with his people as they work. Why is it important for us to understand that “we don’t obey to get God; we obey because God’s got us?”

Haggai 1:12-15

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. What does it mean to “fear the LORD?” Why do you think God’s people feared the LORD? What is the correlation between the fear of the LORD and obedience to the LORD?

  2. Whenever God’s people began to obey the LORD, he made a point to tell them that he was with them. Why do you think he did this?

  3. Do you ever find obedience to God to be scary? If so, why?

  4. Have you ever walked in obedience to the LORD and experienced the comforting presence of God? If so, would you be willing to share with the group?