Kept In The Dark

Conversation Starters

• Have you decorated for Christmas? How early is “too early” to decorate?

• If you had to get ready for work or school in the dark, what would be the hardest part?

• What’s an area of knowledge where you always feel like you’re in the dark? (e.g., cars, medical, technology, etc.)

Review

Ask eGroup members to share their favorite points from the sermon, what spoke to them, a phrase or moment from the sermon they related to the most, or questions they have. If members have a hard time recalling the sermon, talk through your notes and share your favorite points.

Make It Personal

• We get to read the Christmas story while knowing how it ends, but the people who lived it didn’t know. Which person in the story challenges your faith when you consider how they were in the dark?

• Has God ever kept you in the dark? What would have happened if He had let you in on what He was doing or what was coming? (Share about a time when you learned to trust God’s timing.)

• Read Matthew 2:10-15. Where do you currently feel like you’re being “kept in the dark”? How does it encourage you to know God isn’t being cruel, but He’s preparing something for you?

• God is not protecting your plan or your preference — He’s protecting His promise. How can knowing this help your perspective? Talk about how we can recognize when we’re not focused on this truth.

• Read Genesis 37:2-8. Joseph had a dream from God, but he went through years of hardship before it came to pass. Sometimes ​deeper is darker. Where has God been calling you deeper, and how does it feel darker? What’s one thing you feel God calling you to do in the dark? (How can you obey?)

• What can we do practically when we feel like we’re in the dark and we can’t see two steps ahead? Talk about some strategies that can be helpful or hurtful.

Act On It

Challenge your prayer life this week. When you pray, thank God for where He’s keeping you in the dark and for how He’s watching over you even while you’re in the dark. If He gives you direction, decide now to follow it without hesitation and without asking for the next step first.

Prayer Requests And Prayer

Ask eGroup members to share any prayer requests they have. Record any notes or prayer requests to pray for members during the week. Father, if we’re honest, we don’t like the dark, but we praise You because You’re working and watching over us in the dark. When we can’t see two steps ahead, draw near to us and remind us that You do some of Your best work in the night. We want 4:00AM faith, Father. Give us eyes to see You even when we can’t see the light. In Jesus’ name, amen.