Having a two-year-old at home has made playing with our nativity set more fun than ever. There is just one problem–our daughter Bethany has a difficult time knowing precisely which of her toys were actually present for the birth of Jesus, which means I sometimes find myself explaining what Mr. Potato Head was doing in the manger (and why he wasn’t eaten by the donkeys).

Seeing Mr. Potato Head next to Mary and Joseph, however, made me start thinking about all the characters in the Gospel accounts of the birth of Jesus. Why are they there? Mary and Joseph, of course, are pretty necessary for obvious reasons. The three kings hint at Jesus royalty and global appeal. But what about the shepherds? Why do they receive so much attention in the story?

Part of the answer is that these shepherds point to a greater shepherding story that had been building for thousands of years. And when we hear that greater story, everything begins to fall into place.

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SEE IT // BE IT

(WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE)

Title: Advent – Shepherd // Scripture: 1 Samuel 16-17, John 10

ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out.

SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes

This week, we continued our Advent series by diving back into the life of David to pick up another theme in David’s life that we find ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. In the last few weeks we have seen David as Champion and David as Poet. In these themes we see how David’s life points us to the ultimate Champion in Christ and how Jesus is the ultimate Word on our lives—no matter what season of life we find ourselves in. This week we looked at David the Shepherd and how Christ is the ultimate shepherd. All the Old Testament could be understood as a shepherding story. We see this expressed in David’s life as well. As a good shepherd, David is present with the sheep, he provides for the sheep, he protects the sheep, and has passion for the sheep. We see this fully expressed in Jesus. In John 10, Jesus makes the clarion call of the Good Shepherd and invites us to listen to his voice to find life to the full in and with him. All throughout this passage, Jesus demonstrates his presence, provision, protection, and passion—and through his selfless sacrifice, invites us to follow him well in our lives.

THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.

Jesus is the ultimate shepherd.

SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes

Picture (What is the story saying?): What stood out to you most from Jon’s sermon this week? Why? What four things do good shepherds do? (Present, Provide, Protect, Passion) What do bad shepherds do? (Ezekiel 34:1-5) How did Jesus talk about himself as the Good Shepherd regarding his presence, provision, protection and passion in John 10? What stands out to you most in Jesus’ description of himself?

Mirror (Where am I in the story?):  How have you experienced the presence, provision, protection or passion of Jesus the Good Shepherd in the last year? (Pick one example and share a story.) What are you holding onto right now that might keep you from following Jesus well?

Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?):  Who has God given you the opportunity to shepherd in your life right now? How can you be a good shepherd to them? Which part of shepherding them might you need to concentrate on most as you shepherd them in this next season? (Presence, Provision, Protection, Passion)

BE IT – Practice

Change UP // Read Psalm 23 15 minutes

Take a moment to read Psalm 23 as a group. Ask each person in your group to pick out the one phrase their heart needs to hear right now, as you read the psalm together. Read each phrase of the psalm slowly with pauses for brief reflection. Once you have finished reading the psalm, invite each person in the group to share which phrase resonated with them the most and why.

Change IN // Release Your Repentance 5 minutes

This week, Jon challenged us with the simplicity of following Jesus well by staying within earshot of Jesus’ shepherding voice. Take some time together this week, as a group, to surrender parts of your life that you might be holding onto that are keeping you from experiencing Jesus’ resurrection life. Write those things on a piece of paper. Place a trash can in the middle of the group and invite the group one by one to let go of the things they have been holding onto by throwing the pieces of paper into the trash can.

Change OUT // Recognize Your One 5 minutes

Jon finish his sermon by calling us to the story of Luke 15 where the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine sheep to find the one sheep that has wandered off. Challenge your group to find their “one sheep” this week. Have each person write down the name of one person that they could show the relentless love of God to this Christmas and one way that they could express that love.

CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes

Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each other to SEE IT and BE IT this week.