12.1.24 Huddle
Opening Discussion
- If someone got you the perfect gift, what would it be?
Read and Discuss
Matthew 2:1-6
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born.
5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet:
6 And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah:
Because out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.”
- Why were Herod and all Jerusalem disturbed at the news of the wise men?
- How did so many people miss the birth of Jesus when it was right in front of them?
- How do people miss the importance of Jesus today?
Extra Questions
- What are some ways you miss Jesus in the day to day of life?
- Why did the wise men come to worship Jesus?
- Who are some people in your life that may be seeking a savior?
- How can you point them to Jesus this week?
Matthew 2:7-12
7 Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.”
9 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.
- When presented with the same information, why did Herod respond the way he did, and the wise men respond the way they did?
- When you were presented with the good news of Jesus, how did you respond?
- Why did the wise men feel compelled to bring gifts to Jesus?
- What keeps some people from giving to the Lord?
Extra Questions
- What gifts do you have to offer to the Lord?
- When was a time when you were overwhelmed with joy?
- How did you worship the Lord in that moment?
- What are some things the Lord is leading you toward or away from in this season of life?
- How are you responding to those things?
Discipleship Questions
- Who is someone in your life that is resistant to the good news of Jesus?
- How could you talk to them in a loving way this week?
- What can you do this week to listen to the Holy Spirit’s leading?
- Are there any areas in your life where you may be heading in a bad direction?
- Who can help you meet with to help get you back on track?
Memorize it!
Matthew 2:10
10 When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy.
Prayer TACOS!
Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for the wise men and how their journey can inspire us to follow Jesus
Adoration- Worship the Lord for His overwhelming joy
Confess to the times you have listened to your own leanings and followed your own desires instead of what Jesus asked you to do
Others- Ask the Lord to give you an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with someone who is going down the wrong path
Self- Pray that the Lord would give you ears to hear His leading through the Holy Spirit this week