the way of the shepherds and magi

Read Matthew 2:1-12 and Luke 2:8-20

1. What is the story of the shepherds? Tell it in your own words. What does it mean to us? What can we learn from it (how was their way along with or in opposition to the Way)?

2. What is the story of the magi? Tell it in your own words. What does it mean to us? What can we learn from it (how was their way along with or in opposition to the Way)?

3. The shepherds left their fields. The magi left their country. What might you have to leave to really meet Christ? Will you go back? What will change in your life if you do go back? Are you willing to do this?

4. I don't think the shepherds and magi understood exactly what was meant by Christ's coming. What do you think they thought? What was really meant by Christ's coming? Does it make you more or less inclined to bow before Him, to bring Him your precious gifts?

5. Just for fun: do you consider yourself a shepherd or a magi? Why?

6. The shepherds and magi adjusted their way to briefly observe another (at the very least). Do you think that their lives changed after that night? These questions (maybe short of number five) culminate here. Will you allow Christ to change your life? Can you do more than observe His Way and ask Him to change your way (your habits and comforts, your efforts and best laid plans, your sins and victories) to join His?

the way of Cain

Read Genesis 4:1-16

1. Why did Cain murder his brother? Think about it. Is this not drastic? What would you have done? What if you didn't know better? Do you really think that Cain didn't know better? Why or why not?

2. How about this: we do know better, about a lot of things. Why do we do the things we do that we ought not (you can use Romans if you want but I would like to hear this in your own words)?

3. Look at Genesis 4:6,7 again. What can this advice, given to Cain, the second man, say to us today? How can this story help us in our relationship with God and with others?

4. What resides in your life that you don't want to deal with? What is the sin crouching at your door that keeps you from the work God has for you (don't worry, you don't have to tell everyone in class your personal bag of crap, or even write it down – I just want you to think about it and deal with it – in many cases you can't deal with it – get help, talk to God about it, you can talk to me about it, whatever, just don't drown in death when you can walk in life and the fulfillment God has for you – neither path is ponies and roses, but one way brings joy and love, the other just death)?

5. This week, take a little time to ask God what He has for you. It may not be some great thing like becoming president, but God was a job for you to do, probably more than one, and He is just waiting on you to ask. Or maybe you already know what He has for you. What steps will it take to do this? What can you do right now to start the ball rolling? Can I help you in some way? Just ask God to talk to you and listen. He will. It's His joy to work through us, for us to walk with Him(John 17:6-19 (esp 13) and Micah 6:7,8).

6. The way of Cain is one of anger. But, you ask, didn't Jesus also get angry (see Matthew 21:12-17 et al)? What is the difference? How does this apply to your life and the tasks set before you?