UNTOLD: The Shepherds
- How do I become someone “on who God’s favor rests”?
- How would you describe God’s favor?
- How does the bible describe God’s favor? (Psalm 5:12, Isaiah 58:11, Psalm 84:11, Proverbs 3:3-4)
- What misperceptions have you had about God’s favor?
- God’s favor is for those that believe God is enough. What obstacles get in the way of you believing that God is enough in every situation and circumstance? How can you overcome those hurdles and receive God’s enough?
- Why do you think God choose to announce the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the World, to lowly shepherds?
- The shepherds had nothing to offer to the God but themselves. He came to earth and invited those had nothing to offer but themselves to join him in HIS GOOD WORK. How do we join God’s work?
- When God created each of us in His own image, he said “It is very good”. How do we get beyond thinking God desires what we can do for him, our performance, and just know all he wants is me…….an intimate, loving relationship?
- Comparison is the killer to knowing that God is enough. It will always make us feel either inferior or superior and neither of these honor God. How do we break free of the comparison trap? How do we focus on running the race God has set before us (Hebrews 12:1) without being distracted by comparison?
Luke 2:8-14 NIV And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Matthew 5:3-6 NIV “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Psalm 73: 2-5, 21-26 NLT But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.
Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.