Great Expectations - December 6th & 7th

Don't forget - this weekend is the Christmas Program!!
So, we won't have 242... but 242 Leaders - we'd still love to see you at Driven (if you aren't going to the program yourself)!!!

Wonderful Counselor

Core Scripture:
Isaiah 9:6 (NKJ) "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Memory Verse:
Hebrews 13:5b (AMP) "...for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)!"

Discussion Questions:

1. When Isaiah prophesied about Jesus coming to earth, God gave him names to use to describe who Jesus was going to be for his people and for us. If you could pick four names to use to describe who you need Jesus to be, what would they be? Why? Share them with the group.
2. Who are you tempted to go to, or where are you tempted to go to, to find a counselor or some advice? Do you usually go to your friends? Parents? Why do you think it is easier to go to someone other than Jesus for this?
   
3. How have you seen Jesus work as a Wonderful Counselor in your life? Share a time when you took a situation to Him, and He showed you the answer you needed.
4. How can you approach Jesus during hard circumstances and see him as a Wonderful Counselor?
   

Bottom Line:
For a lot of people, Christmas is not an easy time of the year. Because of family situations, bad memories or painful experiences. Christmas isn't always a time of excitement or expectation. This is not a surprise to Jesus, to our Wonderful Counselor, who knows our every experience, hurt and fear. When we choose to worship Jesus, He does not become a cure-all for every problem and make every disappointment disappear. What He does is even better. He offers us himself, as our Wonderful Counselor in the middle of everything. If things are hard this holiday season, if Christmas doesn't feel like a time to be happy, or feel joy, remember this is in the middle of everything you are going through: In every need Jesus can fill you with wonder.