A Worthy Interruption | An Advent Series

A Timely Interruption (Galatians 4:4-5)

December 25, 2022 • Pastor Doug Thuen

A Costly Interruption (Luke 1:26-38)

December 18, 2022 • Pastor Doug Thuen

“A Costly Interruption” December 18, 2022 Luke 1:26-38 Study Questions 1. Read Luke 1:26-38. What are some characteristics of Mary that stand out to you, and why? 2. What progression do you see in Mary’s responses (See verses 29, 34, 38)? How does Gabriel answer her question about how this could happen (See verses 35-37)? Have you ever experienced going from confusion to questioning to faith? What was the situation? 3. Verse 29 indicates that Mary was ‘perplexed’ (NIV – ‘greatly troubled’). Do you see this as a strength or a weakness? Explain. 4. What were some ‘costs’ Mary was willing to go through in order to trust in God’s plan for her life? What has following Jesus cost you? 5. What is the significance of the virgin birth? Why was it necessary? (See Hebrews 2:14-17.) How is salvation obtained? (See Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:21.) How do you reconcile that salvation is a gift of grace, and yet there still will be a cost in following Christ? 6. In verse 28, Gabriel calls Mary ‘favored one’. Does God show favoritism? (See Romans 2:11; Acts 10:34-35. Additional passages: John 15:9; Ephesians 2:4-5; 1 John 3:1; Psalm 31:7; John 15:13.) Is there a difference between ‘favored one’ and ‘favorite one’? Why/why not? 7. Even Mary stated she wasn’t sinless by admitting her need of a Savior (Luke 1:46). How was she blessed and how are we blessed like her? (See Ephesians 1:3.) 8. Mary responded to God’s divine interruption in her life by affirming she was a ‘bondservant’ of the Lord. Give examples of how you see this lived out throughout her lifetime on earth in the Gospels? What cost is there in following Christ in your life today? How has this study better prepared you to follow Jesus no matter what the cost?

An Unexpected Interruption (Luke 2:1-20)

December 11, 2022 • Pastor Doug Thuen

An Unexpected Interruption December 11, 2022 Luke 2:1-20 Study Questions 1. Read Luke 2:1-10. What is symbolic about God announcing Jesus’ birth to some of the lowliest members of society? How does God’s message through the angelic hosts to the shepherds relate to Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55? 2. How can these verses from Luke 2 reassure you when you’re tempted to feel unworthy of God’s love? 3. What did the angel reveal about Jesus’ uniqueness? How would you describe to someone that Jesus is fully divine and fully human? 4. How did the shepherds initially react when the angels appeared to them? Why do you think? How would you have reacted? 5. Read Matthew 2:3-5. How did the shepherds’ reaction to the news of the Messiah’s arrival compare to the religious leaders’ reaction? What is significant about this contrast? 6. Read Luke 2:11-20. What changed in the hearts of the shepherds? Why? Describe a time in your life when God unexpectedly interrupted your plans. Did it turn out for His purpose and glory? How? Discuss examples in the Bible where God interrupts His chosen servant(s) to accomplish His purpose(s) for His glory. 7. What excuses are we tempted to give when the Lord calls us to follow Him in a different/ new direction? How do the following passages help you understand the relationship between man’s plans and God’s sovereign will: Isaiah 14:27; Proverbs 16:9; James 4:13-15? 8. According to Sunday’s message, how can we better discern the voice and leading of God in our lives?

An Anticipated Interruption (Matthew 2:1-12)

December 4, 2022 • Pastor Doug Thuen

An Anticipated Interruption December 4, 2022 Matthew 2:1-12 Study Questions 1. Read Matthew 2:1-12. What external and internal factors prompted the Magi to search for Jesus? 2. What did the Magi acknowledge about Jesus? What titles did they give him? 3. How did King Herod react to the visit of the Magi? Why did he react that way? 4. How were the Magi led to Christ? What reaction did they have when they found the Christ Child? What did worshiping Jesus involve for the Magi? What was the significance of the gifts they gave Him? How does this influence your understanding of worship? 5. Compare the similarities and differences between Christ’s first coming (the Incarnation) and His Second Coming. (See also Matthew 24:36; John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 1:7.) 6. Read Mark 13:32-33. What does this passage tell us about the date and time of Jesus return? How would your life be different if you did know the exact date and time? 7. Read Matthew 24:36-44. In this particular passage, how does Jesus prepare us to live? 8. How does this study better prepare you for the return of Christ for His church? How are you living in anticipation similarly to the Magi? How does this impact your daily walk with Jesus?