Questions for Group Discussions:

Summary:
The sermon explores the theme of power and authority, contrasting King Herod’s destructive quest to maintain his throne with the humble and redemptive kingship of Jesus. It reflects on the tragedy of Herod’s massacre of the innocents, portraying them as the first martyrs who symbolically protect the life of Jesus. The central message encourages individuals to examine their own lives, question who holds the throne in their hearts, and invites them to welcome Jesus to rule as the true King, offering abundant life, peace, and restoration.

Questions:

Open The Scriptures

1. In the sermon, Matthew 2 is discussed, where King Herod feels threatened by Jesus’s birth. How does Herod’s response to the news of Jesus contrast with the hope and joy often associated with the birth of a savior?
2. Reflect on the prophecy from Micah 5:2 mentioned in the sermon that discusses Bethlehem as the birthplace of a ruler. How does this prophecy emphasize the humble beginnings of Jesus and the fulfillment of Old Testament promises?
3. The sermon discusses the terrible act committed by Herod in Matthew 2:16-18, killing young boys in Bethlehem. How does the sermon highlight this event as a fulfillment of prophetic lamentation from the Old Testament?
4. Compare and contrast the themes of kingship portrayed by Herod and Jesus as presented in the sermon. How does each figure’s concept of power and authority manifest according to the biblical narrative?

Open Your Lives

Considering the theme of “power, paranoia, and preservation” from the sermon, how could acknowledging God’s sovereignty bring peace in your personal or professional life struggles?

The sermon encourages listeners to reflect on who sits on the throne of their hearts. How do we identify areas in our daily lives where we might be acting like Herod, refusing to submit to Jesus’s kingship?

Reflect on times when fear or pride has led you to resist change or hold tightly to control in your own life. How can the example of Jesus’s humble kingship motivate you to trust in God’s control instead?

In what ways can you prepare room in your heart for Jesus during this Advent season? How might this change the way you experience Christmas and live out your faith in practical terms?