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Go Deeper This Week

Scripture and questions for study and reflection:

Today, we celebrate the third Sunday of Advent which represents \\u201cLove.\\u201d As we continue our sermon series, \\u201cA Savior is Born,\\u201d have you noticed a pattern of lowliness and insignificance in our sermon discussions? Isn\\u2019t it amazing to see how God uses people, places and things that seem small and insignificant to the human eye in such miraculous ways? Mary, Bethlehem and today? A shepherd\\u2019s love.

1. Read Luke 2:8-10. If you were asked about \\u201cshepherds\\u201d of long ago, how would you describe them? Why do you think the angel of the Lord appeared to a shepherd? How would you describe shepherds in our day and time? Have you ever seen or talked to a shepherd?

2. What are your thoughts about Jesus being a shepherd? Even as a \\u201cbaby\\u201d? What is the correlation?

3. Read Isaiah 40:9-11. What is the prophet Isaiah instructing us to do in verse 9? How will you respond? Verses 10-11 reveal that God rules with a mighty arm (a strong arm), and cares with the kind hand of a shepherd. What does this description reveal about who God is?

4. Read John 10:14-15. What are your thoughts on this passage? Jesus is our sovereign Shepherd who gave his life for the sheep. What does the word sovereign mean and do you believe it describes Jesus? This is a great time to think about your relationship with Jesus; how well do you know Jesus?

5. If Jesus is your \\u201cShepherd of Love,\\u201d how is He guarding your life? How is He warning you of dangers? How receptive are you to His guiding?

Prayer of the Week:
Jesus, you are the good shepherd. Thank you for loving us no matter who we are or what we do. Thank you for walking before us and leading us safely along life\\u2019s paths. Lord, help us to love you more and more each day and help us to \\u201cGo Tell It On The Mountain\\u201d that Jesus Christ is born and Jesus Christ is our sovereign, loving and saving Shepherd. Amen.