1. God is at work in obscure places

2. God is at work through overlooked people

For further thought and discussion:

Getting Started

1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2.“You only get one chance to make a first impression.” Think of a time you failed to make a good first impression. What happened? Who made a memorable (or surprising) first impression on you?

Going Deeper

3. Why does Luke note that Mary, “treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart” (v. 19)? What are we, as readers, to glean from this (see also v. 12)?
4. Why does Luke situate Jesus’ birth in the context of Roman history (2:1-3)? How does Caesar unknowingly advance God’s plan (see 2:1; Micah 5:1-2)? How would people in the broader Roman world have heard terms like “Savior” (v. 11) “Lord” (v. 11) and “good news of a great joy…for all the people” (v. 10)? What point is Luke making about Jesus and his Lordship?
5. Where is Jesus’ born (v. 7)? Why is this detail significant?
6. Why is it significant that shepherds are the first to hear of Christ’s birth (Luke 2:8-14)? How does this event fulfill Mary’s words in Luke 1:52?

Application:

7.In his talk, Jeff drew out several implications of what it means to follow a lowly Savior. Which of these stood out to you? Why?
8.What’s one thing you can do this week to apply this sermon?