Dec. 19 | Discovery

Study Questions for Groups

By Michael C. Mack

1. How did you focus on listening to and obeying God last week?

2. What encouragement did you receive last week?

Ask two people to read aloud Luke 2:5-20 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask a third person to briefly retell the narrative in their own words.

3. This is a familiar story for many of us. What new detail or understanding do you notice today?

4. Let’s dig deeper:

• How would you describe the circumstances of the shepherds?

• How is the angel of the Lord and the company of the heavenly host described?

• In what ways do the angel and the heavenly host proclaim aspects of the gospel message?

• What different emotions did the shepherds feel throughout this story?

• How did different people respond to the good news of Jesus’ birth? 

5. What do you learn about God and the heavenly realm from this passage?

6. What do you learn about people?

7. What do you learn about obeying God from this passage?

8. Through the rest of the Christmas season, how will you follow the shepherds’ example of spreading “the word concerning what had been told them about this child”?

• The shepherds returned to their work, “glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen” regarding Jesus. How will you seek to have this same attitude in your workplace, school, or another place?

9. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .”

10. In what way do you need great joy or peace this week?

For Next Week: Read and reflect on Luke 20:27-40 as we wrap up a four-week study in the book of Luke. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.