a message from kyle idleman

Copyright © 2016 City on a Hill Studio, LLC All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other – except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without prior written permission of the publisher. The publishers are grateful to Mike Mack for his collaboration and writing skills in developing the content for this book. Published in Louisville, Kentucky, by City on a Hill Studio. City on a Hill Studio and “The Christmas Experience” are registered trademarks of City on a Hill Studio, LLC. Additional copies of this Journal along with other Christmas Experience study resources may be purchased online at www.cityonahillstudio.com. Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE: New International Version® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

contents 4 A MESSAGE FROM KYLE IDLEMAN 8 WEEK 1 AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME

20 WEEK 2

FAVORED ONE

32 WEEK 3

FAITHFUL ONE

44 WEEK 4

THIS IS GOD’S PLAN?

56 WEEK 5 IMMANUEL

68 WEEK 6

GOLD, FRANKINCENSE, MYRRH

A MESSAGE FROM KYLE IDLEMAN Two frightened young parents, a newborn babe, a bed of straw. What if what happened then changes everything now? It’s easy to forget that the Christmas holiday has anything to do with God’s plan to restore mankind to himself. But the fact is that this commercialized, secularized holiday is meant to commemorate the most audacious miracle of all time—the arrival of Immanuel, God with us.

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The Christmas Experience shows us that Jesus is worth waiting for. His coming into the world may not make our circumstances easier—in fact, like many who experienced the first Christmas, the very opposite may be true—but he does give our lives purpose and true joy. He brings a joy that the world cannot give or understand. The people who lived through the miraculous events of that first Christmas experienced firsthand the impact of Jesus’ life. Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men—all of them would be forever changed. That can still happen today. It can happen to anyone who turns their eyes to Jesus, God with us, and travels with him through The Christmas Experience.

Kyle Idleman

Teaching Minister Southeast Christian Church / Louisville, KY

THE CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE is a 6-week small group study that examines the Christmas story in detail, helping groups (and families) prepare for the Christmas season. Each episode will focus on how God chose each individual in the Christmas story for a specific purpose. Those participating in The Christmas Experience study will be able to find themselves in the Christmas story, as they learn that what happened then changes everything now.

THE CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE PRODUCTS SERIES Series are cinematic video episodes that feature dramatic storylines paired with Biblical teaching. They are ideal for entertainment and edification.

JOURNAL The Journal is the participant’s guide to the

Series. This daily guide helps you go deeper through personal devotions, thoughtful questions and bible verses for reflection.

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WHAT IS THE CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE?

LEADER’S GUIDE The Leader’s Guide is designed to

facilitate meaningful discussion when using the Series within a group setting. It is easy to follow and includes helpful tips on how to lead a small group.

SMALL GROUP Each Small Group Study contains

everything needed to host a group, including the Series, Leader’s Guide and Journal.

PASTOR’S KIT The Pastor’s Kit includes everything

needed to plan a sermon series: a special video message for pastors, video guide for implementing a church-wide program, sermon transcripts with notes, video clips to accompany sermons, sermon bumpers (short video clip to introduce each week’s sermon), and digital art files to use in creation of bulletins and other promo materials.

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MOVIES Movies are available for select titles. These feature films are perfect for at-home entertainment or church and outreach events. Movie License Event Kits are required for group showings and come with additonal materials for promotion.

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AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME “When the time had fully come, God sent his Son.” - Galatians 4:4

OPENING THOUGHTS Think back over Christmases past. Which one did you most look forward to with anticipation? Why? As you anticipate Christmas, what phrase or phrases best describe you? • Oh no…there is so much to get done! • How long is your family staying?

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WEEK 1

• Do we have to buy a gift for every single person we know? • What a wonderful time of year to reflect on the birth of Jesus and all the promises. • I really miss the people who are not going to be with us this Christmas.

WATCH EPISODE 1: AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME

Use the space below to jot down anything that jumps out at you:

1. Read Luke 2:1-7. What initial reactions or thoughts do you have to this scripture and episode 1?

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2. What evidences of God’s timing and provision do you see in this passage? _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________

3. Why does it matter to the gospel story that Caesar Augustus issued a decree for the entire Roman world? _____________________________________________

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_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ In the video, Kyle mentioned that there are about three hundred promises made about Jesus in the Old Testament, and God kept all of them. Here are just a few of them.

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“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” - Micah 5:2 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” - Isaiah 7:14

President James A. Garfield once called history “the unrolled scroll of prophecy.” God always keeps his promises. History is his story! In Jeremiah 1:12, God says, “I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.” God had the date of Jesus’ birth circled on his calendar. Sending his son into the world as a gift to humanity was no impulse decision; God had planned it since the beginning of time. 4. How had God orchestrated all the circumstances so that the Good News about Jesus would spread throughout the world? • Politically? • Philosophically? • Linguistically? • Through advancements in technology and industry? _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________

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“Out of Egypt I called my son.” -Hosea 11:1

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5. When has God come through for you “at just the right time”? _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________

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_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 7. It can be difficult to see God’s hand when you are in the middle of your “winter.” Why do you think it is so hard to see God at work when you’re in the midst of painful circumstances? _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________

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6. When you look back, how did you see God orchestrating the circumstances to come through for you in ways you didn’t understand at the time?

We learn from the Christmas story that we can trust God’s timing. So much of God’s Word teaches us to trust God in the middle of our life circumstances. This isn’t easy, but it is how God molds us into the people he wants us to become. A familiar verse for many Christ-followers is Proverbs 3:5-6:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” - Proverbs 3:5-6 8. How does this verse show us how to trust in God’s timing? _____________________________________________

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Take some time to thank and praise him for being a God who is driving the universe with both hands on the wheel. Then take your personal requests to him, trusting him to orchestrate everything for your good and his glory. Be sure to not only ask him to work on your behalf, but also to help you trust him and his timing as he is working.

BETWEEN THE MEETING OPTIONS (If meeting in a small group)

• Individually or with your family, read Luke 1:5 - 25 together. Discuss some of the ways God was preparing to send Jesus into the world in his perfect timing. • Call another member of your small group this week and ask about a circumstance that person is going through for which he or she is waiting on God’s timing. Offer to pray for the person on the phone. • Watch Episode 1 with your family. Ask your children about how they saw God preparing for the birth of Jesus at just the right time. • Read and meditate on Luke 1:26-38 throughout the week.

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PRAYER

• Reflect (and journal) on the following questions:

1. How is God preparing your heart for the celebration of Christ’s coming into the world this Christmas? _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________

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2. What does he still need to do to prepare your heart for this celebration?