Big Idea: Jesus’ arrival brings us hope.

            Matthew 1:23

• YAKHAL (חַל): to wait for
• QAVAH (קָוָה): to wait
  QAV: cord

            Isaiah 8:17

            Psalm 130:5-7

            1 Peter 1:3

It’s God’s past faithfulness that gives us hope for the future.

            Romans 15:12-13

            1 Peter 1:3-4

Message Questions

In the month of December, we’ll be on an Advent journey together as we remember four things that Jesus’ arrival at Christmas brought us: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. In the midst of the busy Christmas season, Advent invites us to slow down and reflect on the enduring promise of “God with us” each day. This Sunday marks our first week of the Advent series. Pastor Curtis walks us through the hope we have in Jesus this Christmas.

Use these questions to discuss the message from Sunday, focusing on how you can grow as an everyday follower of Jesus and how you can go accomplish what Jesus calls you to do.

1. Have someone read 1 Peter 1:3. The Apostle Peter describes Jesus as a "living hope." How does this description challenge or affirm the way you understand hope? In what ways has Jesus been a source of living hope in your life?
2. Have someone read Psalm 130:5-7. The psalmist waits with expectation for the Lord even in difficult circumstances. How does this tension between waiting and trusting resonate with your own experience of hope?
3. Have someone read Isaiah 8:17. Isaiah describes waiting for the Lord as trusting him despite his apparent silence. Share a time when you felt you were waiting in the tension for God to fulfill a promise or bring clarity. What helped you maintain hope during that time?
4. The sermon emphasized that biblical hope is based on trust in God, not in circumstances. What steps can you take this Advent season to grow in your trust and dependence on God, especially in areas where you feel tension or uncertainty?
5. Romans 15:13 speaks of being filled with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Who in your life might need to hear a message of hope during this season? How can you go and share the hope of Jesus with them in a tangible way this week?