3. A real gift is out of want to not have to.

START TALKING

When have you have a "normal" hope - optimism - but weren't sure or confident that it would actually happen?

But then, when have you had "real" hope - confident expectation for the future - that something would actually happen?

How did you act differently in each situation?

START THINKING

Read Micah 5:2. Why do you think it was important for God to acknowledge that Bethlehem was, and felt like, "just a small village"? How does this show us that hope doesn't mean we ignore the reality of the current situation?

What do you think the people of Bethlehem would have felt when they heard this, that the world changing savior of humanity would and King of Kings would come from their small town of 300? Be honest - what would you have felt?!

Read Romans 6:23. Why is it so important to see salvation as a gift? What are the elements of a true gift that apply to this? How is this different than what a religious view will think about salvation?

START SHARING

Read Micah 5:3-5. This passage made the hope of Jesus's coming relevant for what they were facing in that very moment. When have you experienced that your hope - confident expectation of what is to come through Jesus - applied to a specific issue or circumstance that you were facing in that very moment? How did your hope in Jesus give you hope and confidence in the moment?

Read Micah 5:5-6. Because of their hope, they took action with bold faith. When have you taken a bold step of faith because of your hope that Jesus was in control and would ultimately give you victory?

Read the following verses and identify what the confident expectation is:
- Psalm 62:1-5
- 1 Timothy 4:7-10
- Isaiah 40:29-31

How can these examples of previous hope being fulfilled give you hope now and in the various circumstances you face? What is an area of your life that may seem uncertain, but the hope of the Gospel can apply to that and how?

START DOING

Read Romans 15:4. What does it take to "patiently" wait for hope to be fulfilled? What do you need to do in moments of uncertainty to remain patient? How can the scriptures and your own past experiences keep your hope strong?

If hope requires action, what step of faith are you going to take to act on that hope? What can you do to sacrifice your time so that others will have hope? What can you do to sacrifice to give your first and your best to Jesus through the Christmas offering so that we can bring this hope to many others?

START PRAYING

Pray for each person and the practical steps they shared in the section above. Pray that God uses these experiences to write a story for each person that will impact others for Him, and that we all look for ways to share that story wherever we live, work, or play!