series artseries art

The Arrival of Hope

Everyone needs Hope

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. JEREMIAH 29:11 NLT

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love— 1 CORINTHIANS 13:13 NLT

God is the source of all real hope

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. ROMANS 15:13 NLT

God’s hope can only be found in Jesus

But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, but he warned them not to reveal who he was. This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him: “Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious. And his name will be the hope of all the world.” MATTHEW 12:15-21 NLT

Because of Jesus…

There is even hope in the face of death

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13 NLT

There is hope in the reality of life

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. HEBREWS 10:23 ESV

Hope is not wishful thinking but active living

This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people 1 TIMOTHY 4:10 NLT

There is hope in his return

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 1 PETER 1:13 NLT

waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, TITUS 2:13 NLT

As a Christian, I must be ready to share the reason for my hope

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 1 PETER 3:15 NLT

We must continue working together as a Church family

As individuals, we must share Jesus with those in our lives

Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 2 CORINTHIANS 3:12 NIV

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place to spend some time with God reflecting on the hope that Jesus brings to your life. Pray God would help you become calm in your thoughts and feelings. Take some deep breaths. When you sense you are ready, ask Him to guide you in your time with Him. Advent marks the arrival of Jesus on earth. Reflect on the presence of Jesus in the world and in your own life. How does His arrival on earth and His promised return affect the hope you have? What makes you feel hopeful because of Jesus? How has hoping in Jesus enabled you to face a challenge? Where in your life are you currently feeling hopeless? Ask God to help you identify where this is coming from and what fears you may have. How can you grow in believing in Jesus rather than in something else? Take an action this week that will help you grow in relying on Jesus to give you hope for a better future. Pray that God would bring to mind how you can share the hope that Jesus brings to the world this Christmas season. Ask Him to give you opportunities to share Jesus with people in your life.

Discussion Questions

Choose a couple of the following questions from each section that best fit your group. Or have everyone read the questions, choosing which one(s) from each section they feel led to respond to.

  1. START HERE: What's the best Christmas movie of all time and why do you think it resonates with people?
  2. START HERE: What are you hopeful for this season?
  3. START HERE: What's a time in your life when you felt hopeless and how did God meet you in that moment?
  4. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 12:15-21 (NLT). What do these verses tell us about the heart of Jesus toward those who are hopeless?
  5. KEEP GOING: Read Romans 15:13 (NLT). What are the downsides of putting hope in things other than God?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read 1 Peter 1:13 (NLT). How have you used something to escape reality rather than deal with reality?
  7. KEEP GOING: Read 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT). If someone asked you today where your hope comes from, how would you answer?
  8. LIVE IT OUT: Can you think of any area of your life where you are worried, anxious, or afraid? What would it look like to place your hope in Jesus?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: How could you be a “Hope Dealer” to people in your life this Christmas season?