Weekly Growth Guide
If you would like to receive a weekly email containing the Growth Guide, please send a note to smgroups@harvestdetroitwest.org.
Printed copies are available at the information desk each Sunday.
Printed copies are available at the information desk each Sunday.
This will be the last Growth Guide provided until the week of January 5-10.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Week of December 15-20
Luke 2:1-16
Mike Moses
1. What are some ways that we can increase our joy in Christ this Christmas season? Share ideas as a group.
2. Read Luke 2:1-7
God providentially used a Roman tax registration to bring the birth of Messiah to the foretold city (Micah 5:2).
How has God used unexpected or unwanted providences in your life to guide you where He wanted you to be? (Proverbs 16:9)
3. Read Luke 2:8-12
From a worldly perspective, shepherds would not have been a likely group of people to receive the angels’ announcement.
Discuss how the gospel is not only for the “intelligentsia" but also for the “working class.”
(Consider 1st Corinthians 1:18-26, Matthew 4:18-22, Ephesians 6:9)
4. Read Luke 2:13-16
God’s peace is different from any peace the world can give (John 14:27).
Discuss how God provides upward peace (Romans 5:1-11), outward peace (Romans 12:9-21), and inward peace (Philippians 4:6-9).
5. Digging Deeper into Doctrine (time permitting)
How do each of these Scriptures inform our understanding of the Incarnation?
John 1:1-4, 14-18, Philippians 2:6-7, Isaiah 9:6, Galatians 4:4-5
Pray for one another: That we would experience the joy and peace that flows from the gospel of Jesus.
New City Catechism, #50:
Q: What does Christ’s resurrection mean for us?
A: Christ triumphed over sin and death by being physically resurrected, so that all who trust in him are raised to new life in this world and to everlasting life in the world to come.
Just as we will one day be resurrected, so this world will one day be restored. But those who do not trust in Christ will be raised to everlasting death.
"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13–14)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Week of December 15-20
Luke 2:1-16
Mike Moses
1. What are some ways that we can increase our joy in Christ this Christmas season? Share ideas as a group.
2. Read Luke 2:1-7
God providentially used a Roman tax registration to bring the birth of Messiah to the foretold city (Micah 5:2).
How has God used unexpected or unwanted providences in your life to guide you where He wanted you to be? (Proverbs 16:9)
3. Read Luke 2:8-12
From a worldly perspective, shepherds would not have been a likely group of people to receive the angels’ announcement.
Discuss how the gospel is not only for the “intelligentsia" but also for the “working class.”
(Consider 1st Corinthians 1:18-26, Matthew 4:18-22, Ephesians 6:9)
4. Read Luke 2:13-16
God’s peace is different from any peace the world can give (John 14:27).
Discuss how God provides upward peace (Romans 5:1-11), outward peace (Romans 12:9-21), and inward peace (Philippians 4:6-9).
5. Digging Deeper into Doctrine (time permitting)
How do each of these Scriptures inform our understanding of the Incarnation?
John 1:1-4, 14-18, Philippians 2:6-7, Isaiah 9:6, Galatians 4:4-5
Pray for one another: That we would experience the joy and peace that flows from the gospel of Jesus.
New City Catechism, #50:
Q: What does Christ’s resurrection mean for us?
A: Christ triumphed over sin and death by being physically resurrected, so that all who trust in him are raised to new life in this world and to everlasting life in the world to come.
Just as we will one day be resurrected, so this world will one day be restored. But those who do not trust in Christ will be raised to everlasting death.
"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13–14)
Please note: These weekly discussion questions are built on the Biblical/doctrinal foundation of the Sunday sermon at Harvest. Please be sure to listen attentively to the sermon ahead of your group meeting. If you are unable to hear the sermon live, you can access the service livestream immediately on-demand at our Facebook page: facebook.com/harvestbiblechurch.detroitwest/videos. Sermons are also uploaded midweek at harvestdetroitwest.org and our podcast.