Hope is not a _________________, It's a _____________________!
.

How you __________________ your situation matters.

Three Reasons You Need Hope:

1. Hope__________________

2. Hope__________________

3. Hope__________________

Some questions to keep the conversation going.

Check In:
1. Spend some time sharing about your past week.
2. What part of the message spoke to you most? Where do you need hope right now?
3. The sermon describes Jesus entering humanity's story "just in time" like a father saving a child—how have you experienced God showing up in your life during a desperate moment?
4. Pastor Darryl said, "When spouses lose hope, they give up on their marriage. Parents give up on their teens. Leaders give up on their people. " Where have you seen this play out?
5. The message notes that without hope, despair replaces joy and fear replaces faith; share a time when losing hope affected your relationships or decisions, and what helped you regain buoyancy.
6. Hope liberates from past mistakes or hurts, as seen in Mary's impossible conception and Elizabeth's barrenness; what past narrative are you ready to release through Jesus' living hope this week?
7. The sermon says hope motivates bounce-back, like Joseph or modern figures such as Nelson Mandela—what setback could you reframe with the belief that God has better days ahead?
8. Even a "10% improvement" in hope activates change, per Pastor Ray Johnson; identify one area (health, habits, family) where a small hopeful step could launch new momentum.
9. Paul prayed in Ephesians 1 for enlightened hearts to see God's hope, what specific prayer of hope will you write and pray daily, as encouraged in the closing?
10. Read Ephesians 1:18. Pray together that the eyes of your hearts would be enlightened to see the hope to which He has called you.

As we light the Advent candle of hope, how can you bring this "thrill of hope" to a neighbour, family member, or community facing darkness this Christmas season?
What's one step you will take this week to choose hope over despair, fear, or discouragement?

Prayer
Spend some time praying together as you wrap up. Pray specifically for the areas where people need hope right now.