Introduction

God’s love comes alive through His messengers - angels, prophets, and even ordinary people - who shared the news of Jesus’ birth. But this message isn’t just for them; it’s for everyone. During this Advent series, we’ll find how God invites us to step out in faith and obedience as a messenger of hope in a world that needs it. In week one, Pastor Jesse shared the story of a priest named Zechariah - and how God met him in his unanswered prayers.

Discussion

1. The Christmas season has arrived! As you look ahead to the holiday, how would you gauge your energy, excitement, and preparedness right now? What are you most excited for? What are some difficulties you may be anticipating?

2. How and when were you first introduced to the biblical and cultural Christmas stories? Who were the primary messengers of them to you? What did they mean to you then, and what do they mean to you now?

Revisit and read Luke 1:1-25 together as a group. Choose someone to read the entire story or several of you can read a few verses at a time. Then, go back and read Luke 1:13 again.

There’s no lonelier place than when you’re hurting and can’t seem to do anything about it. But in God’s message to Zechariah there’s one to us:

• Just because you haven’t heard back from God doesn’t mean He’s not listening.
• Sometimes God answers our prayers not by giving us a happy ending to our story, but by showing us how our story fits in his.

3. Zechariah and Elizabeth were faithful people. But being good doesn’t mean you get to be in control; we can’t make God do anything for us. This is an opportunity for some vulnerability (to be seen and known): is there anything in your life that’s painful right now that you wish God would do something about?

Read Zechariah’s prayer in Luke 1:67-80. Then note the following together in your group:

• Zechariah doesn’t just thank God for a gift to himself. It’s for "your people," "them," and "us."
• Zechariah talks about how the grace he received enables him to serve God (verse 74).
• Zechariah can more clearly see God’s heart to forgive and bring light – his larger story (verses 77-79).

4. How might God be using some of the more painful circumstances of your life to show you that:

• he’s with you,
• his power and grace is sufficient for you,
• and that there’s a bigger story that goes well beyond you?

Application

• Keep praying. Life is painful and you aren’t in control. But God hears (and has heard) every single one of your prayers. He is listening and is using you in his big story.

• Keep being vulnerable. You aren’t meant to carry painful things alone. Vulnerability breeds vulnerability and trust builds trust. See how inviting someone (or some people) into the real parts of your story can support, guide, and care for you.

• Remember who’s in control. God’s power and grace is sufficient for you. Even when it doesn’t meet our expectations, he is still beside you and at work.