Part 2 – New Life
Leader Guide
Sometimes, life throws you a curveball. How confident are you that God is on your side? That He has a good plan for you? This week, we’ll learn that with our new lives in Christ comes God's favor, His Spirit, and new purpose for our lives.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. How well do you know what your friends and family members want for Christmas? If you know, is it because they told you or made a list? Or because you listen and remember what they needed?
2. Read Luke 1:26-31. What things do you notice about this interaction? Does it sound like Good News to you? How would you have handled this appearance of an angel?
Leader Note: God sent an angel to a specific person. He knew her name and all about her fiancée. The angel was concerned about her fear and feelings and hastened to reassure her.
3. Read Ephesians 2:10, Jeremiah 29:11, Luke 12:6-7, and John 20:21. What do you know about you from these verses? What do you know about God?
Leader Note: About me: I was created by God, and He has planned specific things for me to accomplish. His plans are for my good! I have value to Him, and He knows me intimately. He has given me a mission to go and tell others. About God: He has had big and small plans since before creation, and some of them are specific to everyone. He cares about all creation, and knows every need, even of a sparrow...and He values me even more. Finally, He promises to be with me while I am sent on mission for Him (and all the other times, too!).
4. Read Luke 1:34-35,37-38, John 16:13 and 20:22. What was Mary's initial response in verse 34 and how is that different than the response you might have had? Why do you think Gabriel's response, especially verse 37, was enough explanation for Mary? Would it be enough for you? Is there a situation in your life right now that you just do not understand? How can the John passages impact your perspective on situations in your life?
Leader Note: Mary questions, but not in a sarcastic way. She is merely wondering. Gabriel’s reply is a little mysterious, fantastical, or metaphysical. Many people today still don’t get it and cannot believe it. Yet, it was astounding news: good for the whole world, but maybe a little scary for Mary. Yet she quickly said: “Okay. Whatever you want of me, I’m all in.” The John passages tell us we do not have to have enough faith or power or ability to do “impossible” things all our own. The Spirit will guide us and be with us to empower us.
5. Read Matthew 5:8, Psalm 5:12, and 2 Corinthians 9:8. We know Mary was “highly favored.” Do you feel “highly favored” and “blessed”? Does this have anything to do with your circumstances?
Leader Note: Believers are both blessed and favored if they are walking in right relationship with God. This does not mean they are perfect, but are trying to obey, facing God, not away from Him. This does not always translate to material blessings, but 2 Corinthians tells us we will have everything we need to bring glory to God. Hint: remember that there are Christians living in the dump in Tijuana. So, it is not always about material blessings, but we have salvation, eternal life, the Spirit of God within us! Plus, God will take care of our needs (Philippians 4:19).
6. Action Steps: The message told the stories of both Mary and John O’Leary. Both are highly favored by God, just as you are. Here are some possible actions steps for you, depending on your current situation:
a. Daily repeat: “I am highly favored, and God is with me. God affirms me.”
b. If you are in the middle of a struggle, remember God can use your story. Read 2 Corinthians 1:4-5. Start using your story and past to comfort someone else.
c. If you do not feel “righteous” or “worthy” of God’s favor, examine yourself. Are you sure of your salvation? If so, Jesus has already made you right with God. If not, check out this link.
d. If you are living with some ongoing sin that you just don’t even want to deal with, first ask God for the power to want to change. Then confess it, repent and turn from that sin, ask God to forgive you and give you the power to resist it. Claim this promise: 1 John 1:8-9.
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
Let's continue exploring “the Lord’s favor” and how to recognize and walk in it in our own lives.
7. Read Psalm 5:12, Proverbs 8:35, and Luke 4:18-19. Who does the Lord bless with His favor, according to these verses? How do you get into this category of favored?
Leader’s Note: The phrases “the righteous” or the person who “finds me” both talk of someone who’s heart is turned towards/focused on God. It’s not about sinless perfection; it’s about trusting Jesus for salvation and wanting to please Him. Both passages are Old Testament verses, but Jesus reaffirmed and expanded “the year of the Lord’s favor” to everyone, even the seemingly unworthy, when He proclaimed His “mission statement” in Luke 4. His favor is for everyone.
8. Read Psalm 84:11 and 2 Chronicles 16:9. The Bible tells us in these two verses that God knows and rewards with favor, honor, and strong support those who are diligently following Him. What do you think it means to “walk uprightly” or to have a “blameless heart” towards God?
Leader’s Note: As above, God’s favor is for everyone, but He especially seeks out ways to bless His children. He looks for those who are careful to obey, follow, and love Him. Stress that “walking uprightly” is more a posture than an action, just as a blameless heart is one that quickly repents and falls back in love with Jesus instead of hiding a secret sin and clinging to it. Both verses are about our relationship with Jesus, not a “Do/Don’t Do” list of sins.
9. Read Joshua 3:5 and Lamentations 3:25. Consecration means “set apart.” How can we, as Christians, set ourselves apart, believe in, expect, and seek God’s favor?
Leader’s Note: Various answers, but God speaks to each of us and tells us to stop doing some things and start doing some things. We can generalize, but the specifics of obeying God are very personalized to each of us. We know we are not to be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2), but we are also to be “all things to all people” (1 Corinthians 9:22) and be approachable by our unbelieving friends so that we may reach them with salvation.
10. King David said, “I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise” (Psalm 119:58, ESV). When the Israelites made a golden calf and sinned against God, Moses “sought the favor of the Lord” (Exodus 32:11, NIV). He prayed God’s promises over His people. He begged God’s favor on behalf of the people and God was merciful. How can you, like King David and Moses, seek God’s favor more earnestly in your own life? How can you intercede for God’s favor in other people’s lives? How do these verses remind us that prayer activates God’s favor and promises to us?