Christmas Was Only the Beginning

This week’s texts from Scripture are:

• Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon Outline:

1. Moved by Faith
   God meets the Magi where they are and draws them to Christ; faith responds by acting.

2. Finding Joy
   Faithful obedience leads to uncontainable joy in the presence of Jesus.

3. Forever Changed
   An encounter with Christ always sends us home by another way.

Application Questions…

Comprehension Questions

(These will help you open the scriptures and understand the text.)

1. Who were the Magi, and why would their presence in Matthew 2 have surprised Matthew’s original audience?

2. What signs did God use to draw the Magi toward Christ, and why were these meaningful to them?

3. How does Matthew contrast the response of the Magi with that of Herod and Jerusalem?

4. What does Matthew emphasize about the Magi’s joy when they find Jesus?

5. Why is verse 12 (“they departed…by another way”) significant to the story?

Life Application

1. Where have you seen God meet you in ways you could understand?

2. What steps of faith might God be inviting you to take as you enter this new year?

3. How would you describe the role of joy in your spiritual life right now?

4. What competes with joy in your heart, especially after the holidays end?

5. In what ways have you experienced joy as a fruit of the Holy Spirit rather than a fleeting emotion?

6. How has encountering Jesus changed the direction of your life, even subtly?

7. Are there areas where you sense God calling you to “go home by another way”?

8. What fears or uncertainties about 2026 might be keeping you from rejoicing?

9. How does remembering that “the joy of the Lord is your strength” reshape how you face hardship?

10. How might a simple embodied practice—like chalking the doors—help you live out your faith daily? For a liturgy and instructions on this practice, you can find them here.

If you have questions about this sermon, please don't hesitate to reach out to David.