This Christmas season, Crossroads Church will reflect on the opening line of the famous Christmas Carol in the teaching series What Child Is This. Explore how the birth of a Jewish peasant over 2000 years ago lights our darkness and guides our feet on the path to peace.

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Anchor Verse: In the heartfelt Mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will visit us, to shine on those sitting in darkness, in the shadow of death, to guide our feet to the way of peace. Luke 1:78-79

Week 01: This Child Lights the Path to Peace in three key relationships: God, Others and Ourselves.

Week 02: Jesus lights a path to peace with God by ending sin’s power over our minds.

What’s the Issue Anyway?

Currently in our world there are more than ______ armed conflicts.

We live in a world that believes the path to peace is ______________, __________, and ______________.

What Wisdom does Scripture offer us?

Luke 1:26-36

Jesus was the ________________ of Isaiah’s deepest longing.

Isaiah 9:5-6 and Isaiah 11:1-9

Isaiah longed for a king whose heart ________________ ______________ with God’s heart.

John 18:33-37

The Kingdom of Jesus is not built on the lies of empire: __________ and ______________.

Don’t Miss This!

This child lights a path to peace with others by revealing the truth of the Kingdom of _____________ and the lies of the kingdoms of this ___________.

How can I live this in my everyday, normal life?

Choose between ________ paths of peace in your everyday, normal life.

God is One and for ________.

God is sovereign to any group _______________ or personal _________________.

God is available as __________ __________ and not through sacrificing another.

God __________ no victims and _____________ no victims.

Promote policies, leaders and actions that align with __________’ path to Peace on Earth.

Keep reminding yourself that Jesus’ path to peace never leads to ______________and ________.

How does this make me a better person and the world a better place?

Imagine the _______________ available for ending disease, eliminating poverty, exploring the universe, rehabilitating the prisoner, and healing the sick in a world where violence and killing are unacceptable under any circumstances.

What is God inviting you into today?

1. Choose the peacemaking path of Jesus over the peacemaking path of this world.
2. Invite a friend to Christmas Eve Service.
3. Gather some friends to read and discuss “Jesus’ Alternative Plan: The Sermon on the Mount” by Richard Rohr.

Thought-provoking questions:

1. How has your life intersected with war? Do you have families serving in the military? Have you served? Do you know people who have experienced the pain of war firsthand?
2. What are some of the ways that Isaiah describes the ideal king in chapters 9 and 11?
3. Can you think of any political leaders that reflect the longings of Isaiah?
4. Think of and discuss a few ways that the values of the kingdom of heaven (reign of God) clash with the current values of the kingdoms of this world. What is the role of the follower of Jesus and the church in this clash of values?
5. What does it mean to believe that God is one and for all?
6. What does it mean to believe that God is sovereign to all group ownership or personal manipulation?
7. The United States spends 801 billion dollars on the defense budget, which is more than China, India, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Japan and South Korea combined. If you woke up tomorrow in a world without war, what would you like to see those funds applied to?