For Unto Us / Open the Eyes of My Heart, Angels We Have Heard On High, Hope Has Come, O Lord My Rock and My Redeemer, The Name of Emmanuel

How do you define “hope”? How is hope different from a wish?

57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her. 59 And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, after his father. 60 But his mother answered and said, “No indeed; but he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. 63 And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished. 64 And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God. 65 Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.

(2 Timothy 3:1-2, Mark 10:45, Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Thessalonians 5:11)

(Luke 1:1-25, 57-66 Other verses to look up: Genesis 3:15, 22:18, 2 Samuel 7:13, Isaiah 7:14, 9:6, Malachi 3:1, Hebrews 6:17-18, Titus 1:2, 2:11-13, 2 Timothy 4:8, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 42:5-11, Lamentations 3:21-24, Romans 8:28, Luke 1:76-79, John 1:19-23, 36-37, John 3:26-30, Romans 15:13, Psalm 62:5)

Restate the verse in your own words.

• What did you like about these verses?
• What did you learn about God?
• What did you learn about People?
• What did you learn about our sure hope?
• What did you learn about following Jesus?

Based on this lesson on “God, Our Sure Hope”, write down your action point to apply what you learned. Make it your “I Will…” statement and follow the S.M.A.R.T guideline to come up with a do-able action point.

Simple

Measurable

Appropriate

Realistic

Time-bound

“I Will _____________________________”

Who will you share these truths to this week?

Pray for God’s hope to be revealed to people in despair even during this Christmas season— those who may be sick, in dire financial situations, in painful relationships. Pray for those who are not aware of their desperate need for God because they are enjoying much success and happiness. Let your hope in Jesus shine through this Christmas season as you celebrate the true meaning of the holiday. Beyond the physical gifts, share the gift of the gospel of Christ to your loved ones.

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• God’s help and comfort, salvation for Israel, wisdom for their leaders in government, military and their soldiers as they defend themselves against terrorists’ attacks

• PRAISE GOD for the release of hostages so far! Continue to pray for the release of the remaining ones.

• War in Ukraine to end, loss of lives prevented; conflict in African, East Asian and Middle East countries to stop.

• CCFers would honor and love God and make disciples.

• Elders, pastors, dleaders, and families (holy, humble, harmonious, happy, heart-working).

• Ministries and churches expansion worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will bound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.