Study 1 Epiphany

Read Matthew 2.1-12
1. What do we know about the Magi from Matthew 2:1–2? Is there any other mention of them in the Bible? (Perhaps discuss some of the differences between our understanding of them based on tradition and scripture)
2. How do the Magi stand in contrast to the shepherds mentioned in Luke? What is the significance of the “good news” coming to both groups?
3. Read Numbers 24:17 and Isaiah 60:1–6. Does Matthew 2:1–12 fulfil these prophecies? What does the fulfilment of these prophecy lead us to conclude about God’s sovereign rule over nature, people, and world events?
4. Read Matthew 2:3–8. Why is Herod troubled by the birth of Jesus? How does he react? Why are some people today likewise angered by the kingship of Jesus?
5. The religious leaders seemed indifferent to the Magi’s news. They knew the Scriptures, especially the prophecies regarding the Messiah’s birth, but did nothing in response.
So, how does this example speak to whether biblical knowledge can save us? Can we have knowledge yet lack faith?
6. What meanings and significance can be interpreted from the gifts the Magi brought to Jesus? How do the royalty, deity, and humanity of Jesus bring us joy and provoke us to worship?
7. How do all three gifts represent good news for us?
8. The Magi worshipped Jesus. How does/should worship honour Christ and bring us joy? How does/should worship inspire and motivate witness?

9. Why do you think Matthew began his Gospel with the Magi and concluded with the Great Commission? What significance would these events have had to the first readers (mostly Jewish audience)and what significance should it hold for us today?
10. Far from Jerusalem and Bethlehem (seemingly out of reach from the people of God), God drew the Magi to Jesus using, of all things, a star. Have you seen or heard of God drawing to Himself people from various backgrounds and people groups who seemed out of reach from believers? Or do you have any testimony of God using unusual ways to reach people.
Encourage one another with stories then spend time in prayer worshipping and thanking God for those testimonies and for the way in which he drew us to Himself.

Study 2 The Baptism of Jesus

*1 take time to fully read Mark 1:1-11. Stop and check with each other that you are properly taking in what is being read. Don’t be put off by the fact that you’ve (probably) read it many times before!

*2 how do you initially respond to this passage? What ideas, words & phrases jump out at you that would be good to explore as a group?

*3 in what way is this a ‘new’ beginning (v1)’? Why is John baptising in the desert region (away from where the people live)? What advantage is there in this – as opposed to being near to busy life?

*4 read Genesis 1:1-5. What echoes are there of this first act of creation with the event of Jesus being baptised in the Jordan? What is Mark telling us about the concept of a fresh start, a second (new) covenant?

*5 water-Spirit-voice of God...... all 3 are present in both the Genesis & Mark readings....are they simply reserved for God’s Son....or how do we experience them in our own baptism experience?

*6 are you aware of having received the Holy Spirit (see Acts 19:1-7) & does God refer to you as his beloved child, ‘with you I am well pleased’?

*7 as we recall Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan by John the Baptist, we can also be reminded of our own baptism and the promises that were taken to follow Christ for our life’s journey. Traditionally these questions are asked......

Do you reject the devil & all rebellion against God?

Do you renounce the deceit & corruption of evil?

Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God & neighbour?

How are you living this out today as you continue to follow Christ?

*8 what do these important questions at baptism mean....

Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?

Do you submit to Christ as Lord?

Do you come to Christ, the Way, the Truth & the Life?

How has your understanding of your own baptism promised developed over the past years (say 5-10)?

Study 3 IJM - International Justice Mission

Taken from IJM website (you may find it easier to read if you download the PDF)

Freedom, Shalom, and God’s Declaration

Small group discussion guide

I. Opening Discussion

  • What does “freedom” mean to you? What different kinds of freedom are there? Why do we view freedom as a positive thing?
  • What do you think the implications of being free are?
  • Spiritual?
  • Personal?
  • Other?

Why? Where do these implications come from?

  • As Christians, we are also citizens in God’s Kingdom

• Read Ephesians 2:19-21, Philippians 3:20-21

• Why do you think Scripture uses this metaphor of a Kingdom?

  • In other places of Scripture, we are told that we are adopted into God’s family, as children—Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:5.
  • What is different about being a citizen in a kingdom than a child in a family?
  • What are the implications for us?

II. Psalm 146

  • What does this verse show us about the King and the Kingdom? What do we see God doing?
  • As citizens in God’s Kingdom, what are the implications of these verses for us?
  • In what ways do we see the concept of freedom in these verses?
  • Why does injustice exist in God’s Kingdom? What is God’s response to it?

III. Shalom

God’s Kingdom is intended to be a place of shalom.

  • We often translate this term as peace, but it means far more than that—it is the “webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight”…“In the Bible, shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight.

What would shalom look like in your life? What would it look like in this church? What would it look like in ourfamilies? What would it look like in our relationships with our community? With our world?

Shalom describes the way this world ought to be. When sin entered our world, creation could no longer remain ina state of shalom and the interwoven fabric of creation began to unravel.

  • Read Psalm 58:2, Psalm 64:6, Ecclesiastes 4:1 – even as God is on the move, we see people in scripture actively working against shalom by oppressing others.
  • How do we see this today? We see a lack of shalom, God’s peace, spiritually. We also see the implications in the here and now—we see that where there is no shalom, there is no freedom.
  • Consider these global statistics:

• Over 27 million people are enslaved in our world today.

• Nearly two million children exploited in the commercial sex industry.

• Scores of innocent men who are illegally imprisoned because of corruptand broken justice systems.

• Thousands of widows and orphans who are brutally kicked off their land and out of their homesbecause they are just a bit weaker than their oppressor.

• What do we see in our own community?

IV. Re-Establishing Shalom

Psalm 146 paints a picture of a God re-establishing shalom. In what ways can we see all of Scripture painting thisstory? How is God establishing shalom:

  • Through the cross?
  • In your life today?
  • In the establishment of the church?
  • In the world?

As a citizen of God’s kingdom, what are the implications for us? How are we called to bring shalom to others?(Consider Luke 4:18 – Jesus’ declaration of Shalom.)

  • Spiritually?
  • Physically?
  • Those we know?
  • Those we do not know?
  • Victims of oppression?
  • Perpetrators of oppression?

V. Taking Action

Psalm 146 showed us a God who “executes justice for the oppressed…sets the prisoners free…opens the eyes of theblind…lifts up those who are bowed down…[and] upholds the widow and the fatherless.”

  • First, respond in thankfulness to God for the freedom and wholeness we are given through Christ.
  • Thank him for responding to the needs of the oppressed in our world.

Because we are citizens of God’s kingdom, he calls us to follow his example—to restore shalom in many ways—including responding to the needs of victims of violent oppression.

  • Consider joining with International Justice Mission, a group of Christian lawyers, investigators and social workers,by praying for the work of justice—they are seeking the citizens of God’s kingdom to join them in prayer.

Visit IJM.org/prayerpartnerto learn more.

  • What are some other ways that God might be calling you, your family, or your church to restore shalom?

Study 4 The Conversion of St Paul

*1 take time to fully read Acts 9:1-22. Stop and check with each other that you are properly taking in what is being read. Don’t be put off by the fact that you’ve (probably) read it many times before!

*2 why do you think Saul was ‘still breathing out murderous threats’? v1 Why was he so angry? What was he hoping to achieve?

*3 how do you understand the incident of the ‘light from heaven’? v3 Have you ever ‘heard’ God’s voice? What did that mean for you?

*4 why does Saul immediately ask ‘who are you, Lord’? v5 Why does he use the word ‘Lord’? What does it mean?

*5 so, imagine you are Ananias....how do you respond to the Lords’ request v10?

*6 could you (in these circumstances) really address Saul as ‘brother’? 17 What would you have to do to (within you) to manage this?

*7 this is usually referred to Paul’s Damascus Road conversion...... which speaks of a complete turn round in our lives....we can have ‘conversion’ to many things (not just faith) eg spinach, football, classical music etc!

*8 read Philippians 3:1-6. What does this tell us about Saul’s background and the (spiritual) apprenticeship he has had? How easy do you think it was then for Saul to become a Christ-follower?