Matthew 2:1-12
- Taking a few minutes to be introspective, what are you searching for right now?
Six hopeful postures for a new year:
Humble Minds – “we have come to worship Him” (verse 2)
- The wise men were pagans, and God met them where they were. In the story of your conversion and those early years of your faith journey, how did God meet you where you were?
- Humbling your mind before God, what new things might you need to learn, what new steps might you need to take, or what uncomfortable/inconvenient situations might you need to step into in 2022?
- Pastor Kevin encouraged us to embrace humility by embracing the words “I might be wrong”. What can happen when we approach life embracing these four words?
Open Eyes – “when they saw the star..” (verse 10)
- Do you find it difficult to step out in faith toward where God is leading when your eyes are open but you cannot see the full path ahead? Are you in one of the situations right now? What do you think keeps you from walking that unknown path in full faith?
- Take a few minutes to write down several instances of when God has been faithful to you, shown up, displayed grace/mercy to you in the past. What are you thinking/feeling after reading over this list?
Lifted Hands – “…they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” (verse 10)
- Pastor Kevin mentioned many ways of thinking about the posture of lifted hands toward God (praise, dependence, surrender, joy, victory, openness – to receive and give, etc). As you think about 2021 and look ahead to 2022, which of these postures do you most identify with right now? Toward which would you like to strive for in 2022?
Bowed Knees – “And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.” (verse 11)
- Pastor Kevin encouraged us to spend some time this week in prayer on our knees (if we are physically able). What about our heart in prayer is changed by this posture?
- In what area of your life do you need to bow your knee in worship and submission to God?
Generous Hearts – “Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” (verse 11)
- Matthew 6:21 says, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What do you treasure? Do you find it hard offerto this to the Lord? What is one step you could take to grow in generosity in 2022 in giving more of this item away to others, for the glory of God to light your world?
Discerning Ears – “And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way” (verse 12)
- What lies, maybe from the Enemy, have you been believing this past year? Lies about yourself, your identity, your abilities, your calling. For 2022, what truth can you find in God’s Word and hearing from the Lord that will combat those lies? How will you commit to telling those lies the truth and give life to yourself, your spouse, your kids, your grandkids by speaking the truth over the lies?
- What is the first ‘voice’ you hear in the mornings? What changes do you need to make in your morning routine so that you are feeding yourself truth before you start your day (“go Biblical before you go digital”)?