Leader's Guide 12/21

Small Group Leaders Guide December 21, 2008

Series: The Christ-Mas Prophecy

In this weeks Small group questions we’re going to look at two of the names of Christ found in Isaiah 9 – Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace.

Wonderful Counselor

Getting Started - Isaiah describes the messiah as a wonderful counselor. In what ways is Christ a wonderful conselor?

Digging Deeper #1- Look at these other verses that describe God as a counselor - Psalm 32:8-9, Psalm 73:24, Isaiah 28:29. What stands out to you from any of the above verses?

Digging Deeper #2- Look at these verses where the wonderful counselor, Jesus, describes another counselor. Who is the counselor? What is the relationship between Christ as a counselor and this other counselor He sends?

• John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you for ever--
• John 14:26 But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
• John 15:26 "When the Counsellor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.
• John 16:7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

Application

1) In what way do you need wisdom?

2) In Revelation 3:28 Christ provides some specific counsel, what is it? What is the problem Christ is addressing, what solution does He suggest, what does this mean?

Prince of Peace

Getting Started - In what ways does Christ bring peace. Peace with God, peace with people, inner peace?

Digging Deeper – Read the following verses, what do they tell us about the kind of peace that Christ brings.

• Acts 10:36
• Ephesians 2: 11-19
• Colossians 1:18-22

Application – Christ brings peace to our hearts when, our hearts is troubled. Read Philippians 4:6-7. What does this verse tell us regarding how to appropriate (or access) that peace?