In One Moment: A Moment of Fear (Herod)
Matthew 2:1-16
Connect:
Share how you have seen God in the Highs and Lows of your week.
Discuss how resolutions made last week in “growing more like Jesus” worked themselves out— what did God do in and through you (Phil 2:13)? Celebrate those together!
Prayer:
Pray that God would lead your discussion time and bring fresh insight, conviction, and hope through your time together.
Read: Matthew 2:1-16
Review: Remind the group of the focus of this series:
o This series takes us through the pivotal decisions that changed everything and ‘made Christmas”, so the critical question is, “Will it change YOU?”!
o Last few weeks we looked at Adam and Eve , then Joseph and Mary, and now to King Herod!
The Grand Tour of the message: Thinking back on what you heard this Sunday…
o What did you learn about God?
o What did you learn about people?
o What did you learn about yourself?
o What do you want to commit to putting into practice?
Reflect:
Read Mat 2:1-3. Discuss this passage.
o Herod was a survivor— the “right move” was whatever it took to survive here, now. Work as a group to identify some character traits from the sermon/Scripture that show this trait.
o Scott compared the Magi’s mission to asking Kim Jong-un to help find the next emperor of Korea! Why was “all of Jerusalem” disturbed about the news?
o It’s difficult to talk to someone who feels threatened. When you feel threatened by someone, what do you do to respond to that threat? Answer first with your reflexive response, and then with your chosen response.
Read Matthew 2:4-6. Discuss these questions
o “…out of you will come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel”: There are many qualities of godly leadership; discuss how a “Shepherd” has qualities God was using to distinguish Jesus’ Person and role.
o Read John 10:10-11. How can we tell the difference between a friendly thief and a friendly shepherd on the front end of that connection?
Read Matthew 2:7-8. Discuss the following questions
o It sounds like God used a Star to draw the ‘magicians’ and ‘astrologers’ to Bethlehem, and in that way the “outsiders” became “Insiders” (possibly because of Daniel’s testimony many years ago (Daniel 2:48). God forbids his people to practice astrology (e.g. Deut 18:9, 12-14), so what was happening here?
o These Magi clearly thought they has some kind of connection with this “King of the Jews” and had “come to worship Him”. Just from what you see in the story here, what did “worship” mean to them?
Read Matthew 2:9-12. Discuss the following questions
o The Magi got their moment to worship Jesus. Herod did not get that opportunity. Do you think he might have changed his mind, or do you think he was already committed to kill Jesus? Why or why not?
o Read Matt 2:16: That sounds like something beyond fear; what kind of offense responds in this way?
o Are there roots of that kind of capacity to be offended in us? What will keep us from losing our place in God’s story?
Respond:
o “Will it change you” is the call to decision and action here. Break out into pairs and share how the question hits you, here, now, specifically in the area of “What does it take for you to feel threatened?”. Pray that the Lord would search and know your heart, and take the time to recommit yourself under the Lordship of Jesus as He lives HIS life through YOU!
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