I. Intro Big Idea: Love came in Person. Genesis 1:31
II. Wrestled
A. Jacob was on the run. Genesis 32:22-23
B. Wrestling requires contact. Genesis 32:24
III. Touched
A. In brokenness, Jacob held on. Genesis 32:25-26
B. Jacob needed to be blessed on God’s terms. Genesis 32:27-29
IV. Face to Face
A. In surrender Jacob met God. Genesis 32:30; John 1:1, 14
B. Limping can cause us to lean into God’s greatness. Genesis 32:31-32; 47:31
V. Great Mercy
A. God meets us in His grace. Luke 1:57-61
B. God saves us in a personal way. Luke 1:62-66, 1 John 4:8

​The Next Step Follow-Up Questions
§ What’s one of the most surprising gifts you ever got for Christmas?
§ What’s something that stood out to you as meaningful, challenging, or confusing from Sunday’s message on Genesis 32:22-32 and Luke 1:57-66?
§ In what ways is the phrase, “God helps those who help themselves,” incorrect?
§ Why do you think God wrestled with Jacob? And why didn’t God overpower him?
§ How can being broken, or having struggles, help us to grow in faith or bless us?
§ How has God challenged you to rely on Him lately?
§ What’s a specific way you can respond to Genesis 32:22-32 and Luke 1:57-66?

​To watch live on Sunday morning, visit 
​FBC Elma on YouTube.

Family Tree – Joy Ruth 4:13-17; Luke 2:1-7
I. Intro Big Idea: Be found in the joy of Christmas through God’s Son. Ruth 1:16-17
II. Enabled
A. God changes fortunes in a moment. Ruth 4:13
B. Naomi changed because of her redeemer. Ruth 4:9-10, 14
III. He Will Renew
A. God creates astounding families. Ruth 4:15-16a
B. What the people needed most was a God worshiping King. Ruth 4:16b; 2 Timothy 2:13
IV. Expecting a Child
A. God carefully arranged the birth of His Son. Luke 2:1-3; Romans 2:4
B. Jesus came so we could belong to His family. Luke 2:4-5
V. A Son
A. Joy is found in the love of a Person. Luke 2:6-7a; John 3:3
B. Don’t settle for less than God’s joy. Luke 2:7b

​The Next Step Follow-Up Questions
§ What’s something that makes you happy?
§ If you had to give a shorter version of Sunday’s message on Ruth 4:13-17; Luke 2:1-7 what would you make sure to focus on?
§ In what ways does our culture get weddings wrong?
§ How can learning to put others first lead to joy?
§ In what ways were Boaz and Joseph alike? What can we learn from their examples?
§ In what ways were Ruth and Mary similar? What can we learn from their examples?
§ Read John 3:16-17. How has God first loved us?
§ How can our church help others to know the joy of Christ?
§ What’s a specific way you can respond to what we studied in Ruth 4:13-17; Luke 2:1-7?

​To watch live on Sunday morning, visit 
​FBC Elma on YouTube.

I. Intro Big Idea: The hope of Christmas is a Person.
II. Be Blessed
A. God calls us out of darkness and into His wonderful light. Genesis 12:1; Matthew 11:15; 1 Peter 2:9
B. God desires all peoples to be blessed through His Son. Genesis 12:2-3; 1 Timothy 2:2-5
III. Set Out
A. To arrive somewhere else, we must first set out. Genesis 12:4-5; Ephesians 2:8-10
B. God keeps His promises. Genesis 12:6-7
IV. A Great Light
A. Jesus would arrive in a specific place. Isaiah 9:1-2
B. Jesus offers ultimate hope in our broken world. Isaiah 9:3-5
V. A Child is Born
A. A child has come to be our conquering King. Isaiah 9:6
B. Hope in what God accomplished. Isaiah 9:7

​The Next Step Follow-Up Questions
§ What’s something you look forward to at Christmas?
§ Why do you think many people believe that it’s impossible for people to change?
§ 1 Timothy 2:2-5. Why is it important to remember that God desires all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth?
§ How have you been aware that God has kept His promises to you lately?
§ What are some specific ways we can offer hope to a neighbor in this season?
§ What’s something you hope to see God do this Christmas?

​To watch live on Sunday morning, visit 
​FBC Elma on YouTube.