###### THE HOPE WE HAVE

What we hope for and trust in has been challenged and tested on many levels in 2020. Yet, our hope can remain in the truth that our God is faithful! Take a moment to read through and reflect on the following passages, asking God to speak to you about the hope we have in Jesus. Jot down anything that catches your attention regarding the hope and power of who Jesus is and what God has done for us.

1 Peter 1:3-7 New International Version (NIV) 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through 4 the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is 5 kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be 6 revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all 7 kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Romans 15:13 New International Version (NIV) 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 33:18–22 New International Version (NIV) 18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, 18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

######## Looking back at what you wrote above, what is the best reminder to help you keep your hope in Jesus alive during this Christmas season?

###### REMEMBERING

As followers of Jesus, we are able to have hope no matter what life throws at us because of the amazing gift God has given us – the gift of His son Jesus, born that we might have life through His death and resurrection! Communion is about remembering these truths! Your time together this week will conclude by taking Communion and remembering this great gift God has given us through His son Jesus.

To prepare for Communion, read Luke 2:1-7, Luke 22:19-20 and John 15:12-17. What catches your attention in these verses as helpful to remember as you take Communion in your group?

####### Option – Listen to these songs by our North Coast Worship Team while you’re reading these verses to help you reflect on the passages.

######### Luke 2:1-7 New International Version (NIV)

In In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first 3 census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged 5 to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting 6 7 a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.