Guest Speaker - Christmas 01: Bethleham

Redemption Church KC Sermon Podcast

1. Near the beginning of his sermon, Andy talked about the essential nature of setting in any story, and how our stories are inherently linked with their setting and context.
Think a little bit about the stories of your own life that are either prominent right now or have been in the story arc of your life so far. Share a bit about the stories that come to mind and the ways in which the setting and context of the moment are/were crucial to the overall shape of the story.
2. Andy shared what he called a “mini sermon” in the middle of his sermon. That mini sermon was this: small is often the way of God.
Spend some time reflecting on this statement. How does it strike you? In what was have you seen its truth (or not!) in your own life over time?
How does reflection on this idea and its truthfulness affect you in this moment? How can you take this idea and apply its wisdom in the challenging and painful places in your own life today?
3. Andy reminded us that “Jesus wasn’t born into a sentimental and idealized version of life.”
He went on to say, “the story of Bethlehem points us to the true essence of the Gospel! The ash heap of sorrow and grief can be turned into the birthplace of the Bread of Life.”
What does it communicate to you to remember that Jesus did indeed come into a very real and messy version of reality? How does that thought make you feel?
Now reflect on the idea of the ash heap becoming a birth place for the Bread of Life. Have you seen this truth in your own life? What do you think it means for the bread of Life to be born into the ash heaps and places of sorrow in your life? What does it look like? Is it possible to see that dawning of new life take place as it occurs, or only in retrospect? Would it be possible to miss it altogether? How might one recognize it?