Session 1

The Gift of Good News

Key Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Overview

This session focuses on good news! How we all love to hear good news — but often we don't recognize news as good at the time. Do you think Joseph in our Scripture for today recognized the news the angel brought as good — or bewildering? And how about Mary (see Luke 1:26-38)? Was the angel's message to her perceived at the time as good news? How we wish the Gospel writers had included inflection or expression as they related these wonderful stories. Were Mary's words to the angel in verse 38 words of excitement? Resignation? fear? or what?

This session will explore how the news of the coming of Christmas can be both exciting and challenging. It will rely heavily on the study book All I Want for Christmas, on the DVD, on the Scriptures, and on the experiences of the group members.

As a result of participating in this session, group members should develop a renewed understanding of the good news of the coming of Christmas and recognize new ways to make that good news the good news in their lives.

Prepare

Here's a quick checklist to remind you how to prepare for this session (and every other one too):

[] Did you distribute copies of the study book to all participants at least a week ahead of your first session, along with instructions to read the first chapter before your first meeting?

[] Are the tables and chairs arranged ahead of time to facilitate discussion? Is the room comfortably warm or cool as the case may be?

[] Is the markerboard or large paper in place where all can see it, with markers on hand?

[] Are refreshments out and ready for early arrivals? Remember to encourage folks to get their refreshments as they arrive so you don't have to take a refreshment break midway through the session.

[] Are the television set and DVD player (or computer and screen) in place for all to see? Is everything plugged in and remote control at the ready? (Extra batteries for the remote are always a good idea!)

[] Are Bibles — perhaps several translations — available on the tables?

[] Are paper and pencils or pens available?

[] Are the "Starter Questions" prepared on index cards? Refer to the "Good News of Faith, Hope, and Love" section below to see what is needed.

[] Are there enough small pieces of paper for everyone in the group? Refer to the "Close the Session" section below to see what is needed.

[] Are you prepared early so you can greet folks as they arrive rather than scurrying around with last-minute details?

Welcome and Opening Prayer

Welcome folks as they arrive, invite them to the refreshments, and then encourage them to find chairs around the square of tables. Encourage spouses not to sit together.

Start promptly at the time announced, even if all expected participants are not present yet. Welcome the participants, and if necessary, ask each group member to introduce herself or himself. ("Table tent" name tags might be helpful for larger groups.)

You might begin with this prayer:

Almighty God, as we enter this holy time of the year, we ask your presence with us as we seek to understand anew the wonderful gift of your Son. Make us aware of all we must do so that this Advent observance and the celebration of the coming Christmas might fill us with new understanding and an awareness of your presence with us. In all we are and all we do, let us hear again the good news of Advent and Christmas! We pray together in the name of the One who taught us this prayer:

Our father, who art in heaven ... (continue with the Lord's Prayer).

Open the Session

Ask the participants to divide into teams of three around the tables. Team members might draw their chairs together in order to hear more easily. (If necessary, one team might have two or four members so that all can participate.)

Direct each member of a team to describe briefly for her or his teammates a time when some incoming big news seemed frightening at first, but then became a blessing. Instruct teams to take no more than five minutes for team members to think about such a situation. Then encourage the participants to share their experiences within their teams. Don't rush this; give everyone time to think and recall; then allow team members to share their experiences within the teams. (Hint: Don't allow one or two persons to monopolize a team discussion; be sure each team member has adequate time to share.)

With participants still in their teams, ask one member of the group to read aloud Matthew 1:18-25 and another group member to read aloud Luke 1:26-38.

Ask each team to discuss how the experiences the team members heard from one another were similar to or different from the experiences of Joseph and Mary.

Now invite each team to appoint one member to share with the whole group the experience of another team member. What possibly frightening news became good news for that person? Note: Don't allow the team spokesperson to relate her or his own experience for the whole group. This will ensure that team members listen well to one another.

Allow a few minutes for comments and discussion by the whole group after each team has reported, but keep this general discussion brief.

Engage

Now prepare to show the video. Use a simple transition statement, such as, "Let's see what the video says about good news, even though the news may not seem so good at first." Keep your hand on the remote control for the DVD player, and remind the group members that they can ask to have a section of the video replayed for clarification or reinforcement. Encourage group members to speak up immediately and ask for a replay rather than waiting until the video is finished.

Play the video for Session 1 entitled "The Gift of Good News."

Ask the whole group a couple of open-ended questions after you all have viewed the video. You may choose from the questions below, or formulate others based on what stands out to you in the video:

• What new insights into good news did you discover from viewing the video?

• Did the video give you any new understandings of good news? If so, explain briefly.

• How did the video clarify ideas contained in the study book?

• How are you inspired or challenged by the story of the toymakers at church?

• What is the relationship between the gift of God's presence and the gifts of faith, hope, and love?

The Good News of Faith, Hope, and Love

Now move into a consideration of the three big ideas contained in Chapter 1 of All I Want for Christmas. You might ask the whole group to call out the three big issues as you write them on the large sheet of paper or markerboard. These three are the writer's contention that Advent...