Memory Verse: John 15:8 - This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Takeaway: Let’s determine to follow these three simple rules in 2018, God helping us.

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6 - “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Main Point: When looking for the help we need to navigate life we need to look to Jesus first.  
Takeaway: Look to Jesus as your forever-faithful, forever-present, forever-truthful, forever-loving confidant, advisor and Savior.
(Suggested Memory Verse) – Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

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Questions 

1. Imagine entering Jesus’ office and sitting down across from him to have a conversation about what’s on your mind. What would you want to talk about today? 

1. What qualities would you say go into making a good counselor? Which of those qualities do you have? How do you see them exhibited by Jesus?

Table Discussion Question — Read Psalm 16, and then look again at verse 11. How is God bringing you joy today? What is he teaching you about how to live?

Main Point: Contentment isn’t about what I possess, but trusting God more and loving stuff less.  

Takeaway: This Christmas, give yourself the gift of contentment. 
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Discussion Questions 

1) What is one toy from a childhood Christmas that you thought you would die if you didn’t get? 

2) Are there circumstances in your life that you think make it hard to be content and at peace?

3) How does your perspective change when you make a concerted effort to “recognize the good”? 

4) Have you decided that you will only be happy when ________ happens? (What’s in that blank for you?) How can you find contentment and joy separate from that?  

Table Discussion Question — Share three practical things that you can do this Christmas to give yourself the gift of contentment. 

Main Point: Integrity is found at the intersection of conviction and trust.
Takeaway: Live in such a way that even people who disagree with you will admire how you live.
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Discussion Questions
Have you ever known someone like Daniel who consistently rose to the top in whatever they were doing? What qualities distinguished that person among their peers?
How can being consistent lead you to being exceptional?
How is your prayer life these days? If improvement is needed, what changes can you make?
Is your heart clear? If not, what conversations do you need to have to get there?
Table Discussion Question — What does a life of integrity look like on a practical level? How do the people around a person of integrity view them? How do people treat someone that they’ve found to be lacking in integrity?

Main Idea: God has a message for those who reject him, and for those who don’t.
Takeaway: On our own we cannot “be enough” but God has not left us on our own.
Memory verse: But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-6
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Questions
1. Stories about people “falling from grace” seem to be a part of our news almost daily. What should be our attitude/response to these? (Read Proverbs 24:17 and Galatians 6:1 for some guidance.)

2. What are some ways we might start to show contempt for the things of God? What might be some warning signs that we are headed down that slope?

3. Have you ever had to speak a hard truth to someone with more authority or power than you? What was that like? If you’ve been on the receiving end of that (you were the one spoken to by someone in a lower position), what was that like?

4. None of us are perfect followers of Jesus. Left to ourselves we’d all be “found wanting.” How do you deal with feelings of not being “good enough”? Where or when do you most feel that way, if you do? How has your relationship with Jesus helped you, or not, with those feelings?

Table Discussion Question: Imagine that God sent you a message, not of warning, but of encouragement. What do you think he would say to you?

Main Point: Trusting God is based on his nature, not your circumstances. 
Takeaway: What would someone in your position do if they trusted God completely? Do it! 
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Discussion Questions 
What is a time in your life when you had to fully trust God? How did that turn out? 
Where do you fall on the range of being “just along for the ride”to being a “control-freak”? 
Read Daniel 3:16-18 — what strikes you about the hope, faith, and trust that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had in their time of trial? 
Table Discussion Question: What would someone in your position do if they trusted God completely? What practical steps can you take to begin doing that right now?

Main Idea: We need to keep our convictions about God regardless of the culture around us.
Take away: No matter what the culture around me claims I will remember…God’s got this; and God’s got me.
Suggested Memory Verse: Daniel 2:20-21 - “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.”

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Questions

1. What are some things you believe about the world today, and about God? How do those things influence each other?

1. Where or how do you feel isolated or at odds with the culture around you? How does your faith in God sustain you or help you at those times?

1. What impossible situation have you faced that God got you through? How did he get you through that?

1. What role does prayer play in our ability to stay true to our convictions? What role does community and fellowship with other followers of Jesus play?

Table Discussion Question: What blessings or gifts has God given to you that will help you to maintain your beliefs and convictions about Him?

Main Point: Humility is a valuable commodity to God.
Takeaway: Continually pursue humility by the grace of God. 

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Discussion Questions

1) It’s far more enjoyable to be humble and have someone else exalt you than it is to exalt yourself and have someone else humble you. Share a story about a time that you’ve been humbled. What happened, how did you feel, and do you do anything differently now as a result of it? 

2) In what ways are you tempted to justify your pride? How does Philippians 2:5-8 impact that? 

3) How does God’s clear history of opposing the proud affect your tendency towards pride or humility?  

Table Discussion Question — What does it look like to continually purse humility by the grace of God? How can you live that out? How can other people help you?