The Advent season allows us to focus on the joyful and miraculous first coming of Jesus, God’s Son and our Savior. This Advent season our theme is Immanuel, which means God With Us. For this first sermon of the series we will explore, “God with us in our hopes and fears.” Whether we’re besieged by an overwhelming enemy, peacefully rocking our newborn baby, or any circumstance in between, God has promised to be with us; and God is faithful to keep his promise.

Discussion Questions:

What is an example of an event in the Bible or the life of another believer from history that you can see they trusted in God’s promise to be with them?
When was a time that you were greatly comforted by the promise or experience of God with us?
What is the difference between believing God’s promise with one’s mind and living out life in that promise?
What makes it difficult for you to trust God’s promise to be with us?
What do you tend to trust in rather than trusting in God and his
presence/provision?
What are some areas of your life that you need to live the experience of God with us?
What are some ways that you may be able to help others to believe and live out the promise of God with us?
What are some application points that this promise has for our church as a corporate body?

Prayer Points:

Pray for the joy of Christ to flood our hearts this Advent Season!
Ask God to impress upon each of us the depth and power of his promise to be with us.
Pray for those who feel far from God or especially lonely. Pray that they will feel drawn to God through Jesus and will have their souls ministered to in a supernatural way.
Pray that we will not only believe God’s Immanuel promise, but that we will trust it and live by it!
Ask God to show us the glory of Christ’s coming to be our Savior and motivate us to join him in proclaiming Christ so that all may hear, believe, and be saved.