Your Personal Grow-Pray-Study (GPS) Guide

Context:

Jesus returns to His hometown of Nazareth after being tempted in the wilderness. He enters the synagogue and reads from the book of Isaiah, proclaiming that He is fulfilling the prophecy. His declaration shocks the people of Nazareth and causes a rift as they struggle with the idea that the Messiah, who they expected to bring blessings to Israel alone, might instead bring salvation to all—especially to Gentiles.

Icebreaker:

Have you ever been surprised by how God answered a prayer or worked in your life in a way you didn’t expect?

After the icebreaker, read Luke 4:16-30.

Why do you think Jesus started His public ministry by reading this prophecy from Isaiah? How does this passage reveal God’s heart for the poor, the oppressed, and the captives? Jesus leaves out the part about vengeance in Isaiah 61:2. Why might this be significant?

Initially, the people of Nazareth are amazed, but their amazement quickly turns to rejection when Jesus challenges their assumptions about who deserves God’s blessings. Jesus references Elijah and Elisha, pointing out that God’s blessings were sometimes extended to outsiders—Gentiles—rather than just to Israel. What is the crowd’s reaction to Jesus’ message, and why do you think they respond this way? When have you viewed others as “unworthy” of God’s love, blessings, or salvations?

The people in Nazareth rejected Jesus because He didn’t meet their expectations. Are there ways we may have wrong expectations about how God works in our lives? How can we learn to embrace God’s surprises?

Jesus was anointed to proclaim good news, heal the brokenhearted, and set people free. How can we be part of His mission to share this message of hope with others?

Wrap up the group time with a prayer, asking God to help everyone live out the mission of Jesus, proclaiming good news to those in need, and embracing His surprising ways.

Context:

In the Gospel of John, Jesus’ first miracle occurs at a wedding in Cana, where He turns water into wine. This miracle is one of seven “signs” in John, demonstrating Jesus' power and His identity as the Savior. Unlike the Synoptic Gospels, which focus on Jesus’ acts of healing and feeding the hungry, John highlights this miracle as an extravagant sign of grace, demonstrating God’s abundant provision.

Icebreaker:

What’s the most memorable party or celebration you’ve ever attended? What made it stand out to you?

After the icebreaker, read John 2:1-11.

Jesus tells His mother, “My hour has not yet come.”

• How does this statement point to His ultimate mission?
• How does this miracle at Cana anticipate the “hour” of His death and resurrection?
• How does understanding the “hour” of Jesus’ glorification deepen your appreciation for this miracle?

Jesus meets a “need” here, but it seems relatively minor (the wine running out at a party).

• What does this tell us about the nature of God's provision in our lives?
• Is God concerned with the “big” and “small” things in our lives?

In verse 6, the servants fill six stone jars with water, each holding 20-30 gallons. That’s over 150 gallons of wine!

• Why do you think Jesus provided such an abundant amount?
• How does the abundance of wine reflect the nature of the salvation Jesus offers?
• What does this tell us about God's generosity and grace?
• What does it reveal about the ABUNDANT life God wants for us (John 10:10)?
• What do you need to turn over to Jesus to have joy again?

End with prayer, thanking God for the abundant life offered through Jesus. Ask for help to live in that abundance daily and share love and generosity with those around us.

At Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit comes upon him publicly for his messianic work  according to the trinitarian plan. Jesus’ baptism and his fulfilling of that divine mission are the  basis for and give significance to John’s baptism and to all subsequent Christian Baptisms and  outpourings of the Spirit upon the baptized. As the Spirit is poured out on Jesus, so also he will  pour out the Spirit on those he baptizes—those who are baptized in his name.

Why do you think people like to celebrate big moments in their lives publicly? 

Context:

Epiphany is a season of revelation, where the Savior, the light of the world, is unveiled to the nations. The story of the magi highlights their dedication and sacrifice as they sought the newborn King, Jesus. These astrologers traveled great distances, bringing costly gifts and kneeling in worship. Their actions help us to ponder what worship really is.

Icebreaker:

What’s the most effort you’ve ever gone through to give someone a gift or surprise them? How did they react?

After the icebreaker, read Matthew 2:1-12.

The Magi probably came from modern-day Iraq to worship Jesus. That’s a journey of around 500 miles. Note that the Magi were not followers of Yahweh, the God of Israel … and yet they followed the star. King Herod was also not a follower of Yahweh. How do Herod’s and the magi’s responses to Jesus differ? What can we learn from this contrast?

Verse 11 says the magi “fell down and worshipped him.” What does this teach us about the posture of worship—physically, emotionally, and spiritually?

The magi brought costly gifts (gold, frankincense, myrrh). Though there is undoubtedly a lesson regarding how we approach Jesus in worship, the greatest treasure present at the Savior’s side was the souls of the magi. Reflect on St. Paul’s words in Romans 12:1-2 – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

Think about how you spend your time, talents, and resources. What might it look like to “worship Jesus” in the ordinary aspects of life? How can we guard against worshipping other things (e.g., careers, entertainment, possessions) instead of Jesus?

Close with prayer, thanking God for revealing Jesus to the world. Ask that we, like the magi, may continue to seek God diligently, offer our best, and worship wholeheartedly.