Introduction:
Have you ever stopped to think about Joseph’s, Mary’s, and Jesus’ trip to Egypt to flee Herod’s decree? Today, we are talking about their trip, and seeing what it has to teach us about bleak times in our own lives.

Message Outline:

During bleak times:

Remember, what’s happening doesn’t surprise God.
(Matt. 2:13-15, 1 John 3:20, Prov. 15:3, Is. 40:28, Rom. 11:33-36)

Listen, trust, and obey God.
(Matt. 2:14-15, 21, 6:25, Prov. 2:1-5, Ps. 37:4-6, John 14:15, Luke 11:28)

Be willing to say no to your preferences.
(Matt. 2:22-23, Rom. 14:1-23, 1 Cor. 13:4-7, James 4:13-16)

Getting Started
- Have you ever heard about the wise men before?
- What did you learn about Joseph’s, Mary’s, and Jesus’ trip to Egypt through hearing about this passage of Scripture taught on? What do you think the family’s journey was like?
- What do you think it was like to live in a new culture?

Diving In

Read Matthew 2:13-18. Herod’s decree certainly would have saddened God, but it wouldn’t have surprised Him. God is all-knowing (omniscient). Read 1 John 3:20, Proverbs 15:3, Isaiah 40:28, and Romans 11:33-36. What do these verses teach us about God?
- Does the way you live your life reflect God’s omniscience?
- During times of trouble or bleakness in your life, how would remembering that God is omniscient change the way you think, behave, and interact with others?
- How would remembering that God omniscient give you more peace in your life?
-What practical step(s) could you take to better remember that God is omniscient?

While reading Matthew 2:14-15 and 21, think about the faith that Joseph had. Joseph’s faith led him to take his newly formed family into a foreign land, into a culture that would have been unfamiliar. What do you think Joseph did earlier on in his life, that he had that deep of faith that allowed him to be faithful to God on that level?
- When you think about your own faith, what comes to mind?
- Do you think you could do what Joseph did? Why or why not?
- How would it change your life to have a deeper faith that would allow you to say “yes” to God, even when saying “yes” is extremely scary?
- What practical step(s) can you take in order to grow your faith?

Read Matthew 2:22-23. It’s doubtful that Joseph’s preference would have been to go back to Nazareth to raise his family. People would have known about Mary becoming pregnant before they were married. People undoubtedly would have asked questions about where they had been. It would have put Joseph in uncomfortable situations. Yet, Joseph was faithful yet again to do what the Lord wanted him to do.
- Why do you think it's so difficult to put away our own preferences and choose God’s ways over our own?
- Have you ever chosen your own preferences over what you thought God wanted you to do? What happened?
- How do you think it would change your life if you could always choose God’s ways over your own preferences?
- What practical step(s) can you take in order to better choose God’s ways over your own ways?

Applying the Scripture

What are your biggest takeaways from this passage of God’s Word?
- What practical step(s) do you need to implement in your life to apply what God has taught you in this passage of Scripture?
- How would applying this affect your life and your relationship with the Lord?

CHURCH FAMILY NEEDS: Pray for Katy, as she recovers from her wrist surgery. Pray for Carolyn Dodd and what’s going with her thyroid. Pray for Jerry Jamrozy, who has bone cancer. Pray for the Walter family, as Bill recently had surgery for skin cancer.

MISSIONARIES: This month pray for the Bellas.


FAMILY OF THE WEEK: Each week we’ll pray for a different family in our church. This week pray for the Lubbers.

HILLSIDE HAPPENINGS: Pray that the church would continue to stay unified under Christ. Pray for our livestream and for the people joining us there. Pray for Casa Del Alfarero, the Spanish-speaking Missionary Church 5 minutes from our building.

CURRENT HAPPENINGS: Pray for the war in Israel. Pray for the war in Ukraine.

Attendance
In-person on 12/17: 50
Online views through 12/20: 8

Giving
Online (12/11/23-12/17/23): $225 for general
In-Person on 12/17/23: $3795 for general, $20 for missions
Total general needed weekly to meet budget: $1480

Our foster closet is holding a pajama drive to bless their foster families with new, warm winter pajamas, sizes 3T to adult. Contact our foster closet team-leader, April with any questions.

Thank you to all who shared in this year’s volume of Hillside’s Story. If you would like to share in next year’s video, please see Pastor Josh. To watch this year’s volume of Hillside’s Story, you can go to our website, YouTube, or Facebook.

Thank you to everyone who helped out with our annual Christmas Candlelight Service yesterday. Today, our kids’ ministry has put together a special Christmas service.

If you do not receive our weekly emails, announcements, and prayer requests, please join our email list! You can do so by going to hmcworship.com/im-new

TECH: Our worship team is looking for someone who would like to run sound and/or slides. Please see Pastor Josh.

WORSHIP TEAM: Would you like to help out on the worship team? Please see Carolyn Dodd for details.

PRAYER GUIDE: Will you be in prayer for Hillside? Prayer guides are available at the welcome counter. Also, if you would like to be a prayer advocate, please see Pastor Josh.

MAINTENANCE TEAM: Would you like to help out on the maintenance team? We need help inside and outside the building. Please see Jeff Soule for details.