Scripture: James 1:1-4

1. Can you think of a time when you almost gave up but didn’t? What made you keep going?

2. Can you recall a recent trial you faced? How did your perspective on it change, or how might it change if you viewed it as an opportunity for spiritual growth?

3. What does Tex say about the difference between joy and happiness in the context of trials?

4. Reflect on a situation in your life where you questioned God’s goodness. How can you shift your perspective to focus on trust and hope in that situation?

5. How can you intentionally include praise and gratitude in your daily life, especially during tough times? What might that look like for you?

Scripture: Luke 2

1. What’s your favorite Christmas tradition?

2. What does Luke 2:10-11 teach us about the purpose of Jesus’ birth and how it relates to our sense of joy during Christmas?

3. How does the contrast between the shepherds and the wise men in the Nativity story help us understand that everyone is welcome in God’s family?

4. How might our understanding of what we give during Christmas change if we view it as a reflection of how we were given the gift of Jesus?

5. How can you incorporate the joy of Jesus’ birth into your own holiday celebrations this year?

Scripture: Luke 2, Matthew 1

1. If you could have been present at the Nativity, what role would you want to play—shepherd, wise man, angel, or someone else?

2. How does the experience of Mary and Joseph reflect the idea of faith and trust in God’s plan, even when things are uncertain?

3. What does the name ‘Jesus’ signify according to the sermon, and why is it important that he is called a Savior?

4. Can you think of a time when you had to trust in something uncertain? How did it turn out, and what did you learn from that experience?

5. Why do we sometimes struggle to acknowledge our need for a Savior, as Pastor Tom mentioned in the sermon?

6. What steps can you take this week to be more aware of areas in your life where you might need help or guidance, and how can faith play a role in that?

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

1. How does the angel’s message to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-14 illustrate the hope that Jesus brings to the world?

2. Why do you think God chose shepherds—ordinary people—to receive the announcement of Jesus’ birth? How does this reflect the nature of God’s mission?

3. What challenges might missionaries face in sharing both physical healing and spiritual hope in a cross-cultural context, such as in Nigeria?

4. How can medical missions demonstrate the love and hope of Christ to people in Nigeria and other parts of the world?

5. How can the themes of Christmas—hope, peace, and joy—be central to our approach to missions, whether overseas or in our local community?

Scripture: Luke 1

1. What does the word “hope” mean to you, and how do you see it play out in your daily life?

2. Pastor Tom talked about God birthing hope at unexpected times. Can you share a personal experience where you felt hope emerge in a difficult situation?

3. Why do you think God chose Mary, a young girl, to be the mother of Jesus, rather than someone older or more experienced?

4. Looking at the stories of Elizabeth and Mary, how can believing in the impossible shape our understanding of God’s power in our lives?

5. What impossible situation are you currently facing, and how can faith help you approach it differently?

Scripture: Acts 1:8-9

1. What does it mean to be a witness for Jesus in today’s world, and how can we share His message with those around us?

2. Pastor Tom mentioned several mission organizations that NorthField Church partners with. Why do you think it’s important for churches to support missions, both locally and globally?

3. How can you get involved in a mission or service project in your community? What resources or connections do you already have that might help?

4. What is one specific way you can use a personal talent or resource to help someone in need this holiday season?

5. In what ways are you being called to contribute to the Greater vision that Pastor Tom described?

Scripture: Acts 9:23-43

1. Have you ever felt misunderstood or judged by others because of your past? How did you handle that situation?

2. Can you think of a time in your life when you felt chosen by God but were also going through a difficult situation? How did that impact your faith?

3. In Acts 9:15-16, God tells Ananias that Saul will ‘proclaim my name to the Gentiles…’ What does this tell us about God’s plans for us despite our past?

4. Reflect on a challenging time in your life: how did you lean on your faith, and what helped you to keep going?

5. What could God be preparing you for in your life right now, even if you feel unworthy or unqualified?

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:6-7

1. What unique challenges do young adults face in maintaining their faith during this stage of life?

2. In what ways can a young adult ministry address the big questions about purpose, identity, and calling that many young adults grapple with?

3. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7, why do you think Moses emphasizes keeping God’s commands “on your hearts” before teaching them to children?

4. What are some practical ways you can incorporate teaching God’s Word in your daily interactions with their children?

5. Take some time to pray for Tex and Cori and their ministry to young adults and young families here at NorthField. Pray that they may be fruitful in their mission to “build up a young adult community: a generation full of bold disciples who know and trust God’s Word” and “empower and equip parents as the primary disciple makers of their children.”

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40

1. When things don’t go as planned, what’s your go-to way of staying positive or finding perspective?

2. In Acts 16, how did Paul and Silas respond to their dire circumstances, and what can we learn from their example?

3. According to Pastor Mike, what does it mean to be a ‘worshiper’, and how is that different from being a ‘complainer’?

4. Why is it important to focus on what is true, noble, and right, as mentioned in Philippians 4:8?

5. What are some practical steps you can take this week to focus more on positive thoughts in your daily life?

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16, John 8

1. Can you think of a time when someone judged you based on your appearance? How did that make you feel?

2. What is the significance of the statement ‘For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart’ from 1 Samuel 16:7?

3. Why do you think it’s easy for people to see others as ‘projects’ or ‘meal tickets,’ as Trent mentioned in the message? How does this mindset affect our relationships?

4. How can we practice seeing others as fellow image bearers of God in our everyday lives?

5. What specific actions can you take this week to show someone that you see their worth beyond just their outward appearance?

Scripture: Acts 10:1-3

1. Can you think of a time when regular prayer changed something significant in your life or in the lives of those around you?

2. What do you think it means to pray to God regularly, and how can that impact your life?

3. Why do you think God chose to give Cornelius a vision after he prayed regularly? What does that say about the connection between prayer and God’s responses?

4. What changes would you like to see in your life or your community, and how could prayer help bring about those changes?

5. Identify one area in your life where you want to see change. How can you start to pray about that specific change this week?

Scripture: Acts 9

1. What is one significant life event that changed your perspective on the world?

2. In the message, Pastor Tom mentioned that Saul thought he was doing the right thing by persecuting Christians. How can we sometimes be blind to our own misconceptions?

3. In Acts 9:5, Jesus asks Saul, ‘Why are you persecuting Me?’ What does this tell us about how God views our actions toward others?

4. Reflect on the role of Ananias in Saul’s story. Why do you think God chose Ananias to help Saul despite his fears?

5. Saul asked Jesus, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” How can asking this question in your daily life this week lead you to make decisions that align with your faith?

Scripture: Acts 9

1. Can you share a time when you reacted strongly to something and later realized, ‘That wasn’t the right response’?

2. Why do you think Saul was so determined to persecute the followers of Jesus, even to the point of killing them?

3. In what ways did Saul’s background as a Pharisee prepare him to initially oppose Christianity?

4. Consider your own background and education. How do they shape your views today, and can they sometimes lead you to misunderstand what’s happening around you?

5. Have you ever had a moment of realization that changed your beliefs or actions? What was that experience like?

6. How can the understanding that faith, not following rules, is what connects you to God shape the way you live this week?

Scripture: Acts 1:8

1. Have you experienced a moment where you felt called to share your faith? How did you respond?

2. What do you think are the key responsibilities of someone who wants to be a witness for Jesus, based on Acts 1:8?

3. Pastor Tom said, “You will be the first contact most of them have had with a follower of Jesus.” What impact do you think your actions can have on others?

4. Spend time as a group praying for the NF mission teams to the Dominican Republic and Africa, especially praying that they would bring the hope and light of Jesus to everyone they encounter.

5. We don’t need to go overseas to share the love of Jesus with those in need. What is one way you can make Jesus known in your community this week?

Scripture: Acts 9:1-9

1. Can you think of a time when you felt strongly about something but later learned you were wrong?

2. What does Pastor Tom mean when he refers to different conversion experiences as ‘Damascus Road Experiences’? What significance does this term hold?

3. Do you believe everyone has a ‘Damascus Road Experience’? Why or why not? How can ordinary experiences of faith still be powerful?

4. Have you ever felt resistance to change in your life? What steps can you take to overcome that resistance and embrace transformation?

5. Reflect on Pastor Tom’s statement that God can use anyone, even a persecutor like Saul, for His purposes. What does this say about God’s grace and forgiveness?

6. In what ways can you see God’s grace working in surprising situations or in people’s lives around you?

Scripture: Acts 8:25-40

1. Can you think of a time when you felt called to do something that didn’t make sense to you? How did you respond?

2. How does the encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch illustrate how God prepares the way for us?

3. Have you ever experienced a situation where you felt like God had been preparing you for something? What happened?

4. What does the transformation of the eunuch after his encounter with Philip say about the power of the Gospel?

5. How has your understanding of Jesus changed your life? Can you share a moment when you felt transformed by your faith?

6. In what ways can we be like Philip in sharing the good news with others who may be seeking truth? What might that look like in your daily life this week?