1. Do you think of Christmas as a peaceful time or a hectic, chaotic time? Why?

2. Read John 1:1-18. Why do you think John was inspired to start his gospel with “In the beginning …” instead of focusing on details about the birth of Jesus like Matthew and Luke?

3. What do we learn about Jesus in the first 5 verses?

4. How would you describe the importance of John the Baptist to the message of Jesus?

5. What do you think vs. 9 means?

6. How would you summarize the mission of Jesus described in verses 14-18?

7. Do you have the peace that comes from trusting Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

Other verses to consider: Luke 2:8-14, Romans 5:1

1. How far back in time can your family genealogy be traced?

2. Who were you related to that we might know about, either good or bad?

3. Read Matthew 1:1-17. What similarities and differences can you think of in the 5 women in the genealogy: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary?

4. How does this list of people reveal the mercy of God?

5. Read Matthew 9:9-13. In the last few years, have you been more like Matthew, the Pharisees, or tax collectors and sinners?

6. What kind of mercy does God desire from us?

7. Who can you show mercy to this Christmas?

1. Which sounds of Christmas do you enjoy the most?

2. Which sounds of Christmas drive you crazy?

3. Read Luke 2:8-20. What stands out to you in these verses?

4. What do you think the angels sounded like when they were praising God?

5. Why do you think God sent angels just to the shepherds to announce Jesus’ birth and how did this benefit other people?

6. What events in your life have you cherished or pondered in your heart like Mary?

7. Who do you know who could benefit from your story of how God led you to Jesus?

Other verses to consider: Luke 1 and 2:1-7

1. How would you define hope?

2. How are hopes heightened at Christmas?

3. In what ways did you feel hopeless before you met Jesus? How about after meeting Jesus? 

4. Read Romans 8:23-25. What is the object of our hope in these verses?

5. Read 1 Peter 1:3-9. In what ways is our hope a living hope?

6. Read 1 John 2:28-3:3. What do these verses say about hope?

7. How can you spread hope to people around us who have no hope?

Other verses to consider: 1 Peter 3:13-17, 1 Thes 4:13-18, Romans 15:13

1. What did you like or dislike about Greek or Roman mythology when you learned about it in school?

2. Read Acts 17:10-34. This part of Paul’s journey was mapped out by which city the new believers smuggled Paul to next to escape from the Jews from Thessalonica. Why would Paul be encouraged by his stop in Berea?

3. How do you examine the Scriptures?

4. When Paul came to Athens, why was he deeply distressed and how did he respond?

5. What ideas for reaching lost friends and family today can we gain from Paul’s interaction with the people of Athens?

6. Why is it so important that people repent in verses 30-31?

7. Who are you most concerned about on Judgement Day?

Other verses to consider: Luke 24:44-47, Hebrews 9:27-28, Romans 2:1-11, 2 Timothy 2:22-26

1. Have you ever been blamed for something that you didn’t do? What happened?

2. Read Acts 16:16-40. Why do you think Paul was so annoyed by the possessed slave girl following them and talking to the people?

3. Why were the slave owners upset with Paul, and what did they tell the magistrates to get them beaten and imprisoned?

4. What do you think caused the jailer to want to be saved?

5. Kyle said, “There always comes a moment when you’re living for God and doing your best to obey and serve Him that you realize it’s going to cost you.” Have you had a moment like that?

6. Have you ever experienced suffering that tested your faith?

Other verses to consider: Matthew 5:10-12, 1 Peter 4:12-19

1. What was the most unusual initiation requirement you experienced to join a group, club, or organization?

2. Read Acts 15:1-21. What was the big problem in Antioch?

3. If you were a new Gentile follower of Jesus, how would you feel about the new requirements given by the Jews from Judea?

4. What steps did Paul take to solve the disagreement?

5. Have you ever encountered a church or a person who made it difficult for people to turn to God? What did they do?

6. Are there any areas of your faith that you struggle with?

7. What exactly does vs. 11 mean?

Other verses to consider: Galatians 5:1-6, Romans 10:5-13, Ephesians 2:4-10

1. Jerel talked about this election season being exhausting. What has exhausted you the most?

2. What fears did political commercials target this year?

3. Have you seen any tension or conflict with family members or friends over politics? What happened? 

4. How should Christian voters determine who they should vote for? 

5. How do you explain the fact that some Christians vote for Democrats and other Christians vote for Republicans? 

6. What are some practical ways we can maintain the unity in the church that Jesus prayed for in John 17, even though we may have differing political views?

7. It is interesting that no one in the Bible ever voted to choose their King, Governor, or Caesar. How does God assure us in the Bible that He is in control no matter who is elected President in 2024?

Other verses to consider: Daniel 2:19-23, Romans 13:1-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Romans 8:28

1. Have you ever idolized anyone? Has anyone ever idolized you? How did it make you feel?

Read Acts 14:8-23. 

2. What do you find interesting about the healing of the crippled man in vs. 8-10?

3. How do you think Paul could see that the crippled man had faith to be made well? 

4. What were the unexpected results of the miraculous healing in vs. 11-18?  

5. How do you think the Jews from Antioch and Iconium won over the crowd to convince them that Paul should not be worshiped but be put to death? 

6. Paul faced heated opposition in almost every city he traveled to in his missionary journeys; Many times his enemies pursued him to the next town when they heard he was there. What impact would this have on you if you were a new follower of Jesus in one of these towns?

Other verses to consider: Matthew 5:10-11, John 16:33 

1. Have you ever been chosen for an important job or special task? What was the outcome and how did it make you feel?

Read Acts 13:1-12. 

2. What was the scene when the Holy Spirit spoke to the prophets and teachers in the church of Antioch?

3. How do you think the Holy Spirit spoke to them that day? 

4. How does the Holy Spirit speak to us today? How can we be ready to hear Him? Can you share about a time that you heard Him?  

5. Have you ever been around someone who strongly opposed Christianity? What happened? 

6. Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit in vs. 9 and at the end of this chapter in vs. 52 the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. Can you describe a time when you felt full of the Spirit?

Other verses to consider: Acts 11:19-30, Ephesians 5:15-21.

1. How would you rate the quality of your sleep? How many hours do you try to get at night? What keeps you from having perfect, restful, rejuvenating, “like a baby,” sleep at night? 

Read Acts 12:1-19. Historians say this happened about 13 years after Jesus died and rose again. 

2. How do you feel about God sending an angel to free Peter but allowing James to be killed by Herod? Can you think of any reasons why?

3. What do you think “earnest prayer” means? Who have you known that would exemplify this type of prayer? 

4. In verses 6-11, what do you find interesting about the details of the angel’s appearance and impact on Peter? 

5. Why do you think they didn’t believe Peter was knocking at the door and told Rhoda she was out of her mind?

6. Have you earnestly prayed for something or someone? What was the outcome? 

Digging Deeper Questions

1. What is the grossest, yuckiest, most horrible thing you have ever eaten and why?

2. Read Acts 10:1-23. Considering the many Roman gods, how do you imagine Cornelius became a devout worshiper of the true God?

3. Why do you think God sent an angel to Cornelius and a vision to Peter 3 times before the 2 men met?

4. Some of the unclean vision animals Peter was told to kill and eat for the first time in his life could have been pigs, snakes, rats, lizards, bats, seagulls, herons, and turtles. Why do you think God told the Jews through Moses not to eat certain animals or associate with Gentiles?

5. What difficulties might be expected in a church made up of both Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians?

6. Is there anyone that Christians today should not associate with?

Other verses to consider: Joshua 23:1-16, 1 Corinthians 5:9-13.

Digging Deeper Questions

1. What was your ambition in life when you were 18 years old? What is your greatest ambition now?

2. Read Luke 12:13-21. What are some different kinds of greed and why is it so dangerous?

3. How would you describe the rich man’s philosophy or life goal?

4. Why do you think God called the rich man a fool?

5. Do you think of yourself as rich? How do you avoid the world’s constant messaging that you can’t be happy until you have MORE MORE MORE?

6. How can we be rich toward God?

Other verses to consider: 1 Timothy 6:17-19, and Galatians 5:22-25.

Digging Deeper Questions

1. Is there anyone in your family who was adopted? What was that like for them or their new parents?

2. Read Ephesians 1:3-14. What are some spiritual blessings that you are thankful for?

3. We see the word "predestined" in vs. 5 and vs. 11. How do you think God predestines and chooses us?

4. In what ways have you felt God’s love as a Father who adopted you into His family?

5. What were the circumstances when you first heard the message of truth about Jesus and believed?

6. How have you felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life since you became a Christian?

Digging Deeper Questions

1. Describe a time in your life when you or someone you know struggled with loneliness?

2. Read Genesis 2:15-25. Why do you think God made Adam first and let him live for some time before making Eve?

3. Jewish tradition considers verses 22-24 the first marriage ceremony when God brings Eve to Adam. In what ways do you think Eve became a suitable helper?

4. What are your thoughts on wives and husbands today being “suitable helpers”?

5. Read Psalm 68:4-6. What are some ways God sets lonely people in families?

6. How can we help God take care of the lonely?

Digging Deeper Questions

1. What are some of the most unusual nicknames someone has called you or someone you know?

2. Read Luke 19:1-10. Do you remember the 4 reasons Ethan gave for why tax collectors were so hated by the Jews?

3. How does Zacchaeus show his faith in Jesus?

4. What do you think Jesus meant in vs. 9 when He said Zacchaeus was a son of Abraham and that today, salvation had come to his house?

5. What were the circumstances in your life when salvation came to your house?

6. Read Romans 5:6-11. Before you decided to follow Jesus, how did your life show that you were an enemy of God?

7. In John 15:14, Jesus told His disciples, “you are my friends if you do what I command”. How would you describe your friendship with Jesus?