The Glory Shone

Small Groups

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer, “When have you had a meaningful experience in worship or with your family that included at least three generations, even if the three generations were not related by blood or adoption?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). You may not get through all the questions in the time you have together. Consider inviting group members to work through any remaining questions on their own throughout the week.

• The focus text today is the story of Jesus being presented for circumcision as an eight-day- old, and a sacrifice was made for him, as was customary for Jews in those days. Read Luke 2:22-40. Invite participants to have the scripture in front of them, either in a Bible, on a phone app, or printed on paper. After reading it, ask the following questions:
• What do you notice about Simeon from this passage?
• If this was the only passage on which you could draw, what does this passage indicate about the Holy Spirit?
• What do you think “the consolation of Israel” means? (v. 2:25)
• Imagine the response of Mary and Joseph to Simeon’s prayer and the blessing given to Mary (v. 2:34-35). Name some of the competing thoughts, emotions, or convictions that Mary could have been holding in that experience.
• What do you find compelling about Anna’s faithfulness from this text?
• The Preaching Notes for December 27 say:

“[N]ow doors are opening. Paths are being broken, trails are being blazed—by this infant, this sign of the presence, this hope in flesh. The unknown is now known because there is a light, the light of revelation. A light is now shining, Simeon prays, and Anna proclaims. A light of access, a light of invitation. This is a candle in the window, inviting the world to come home, drawing us all home.

• How does this observation focus your thinking about the presence of Jesus in the world?
• The prayer that Simeon prays (Luke 2:29-32) is often referred to as the Nunc Dimittis, which are the first two words of this prayer in Latin that are commonly included in bedtime or evening worship or prayer. How does Simeon’s prayer point to something being completed? What does the completion open the possibility for?
• Read back through the scripture passage. Is there a word or a phrase that stands out? Write it down for consideration in the week ahead.
• Just One Thing: What is one thing you want to do because of the discussion today?
• Going Deeper on Your Own: This week, consider studying one of the other lectionary texts in the following pattern:
• Prayerfully ask God to open your eyes to the scripture. (Psalm 119:18)
• Read the text of your choice [Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Psalm 148, Galatians 4:4-7] out loud.
• What do you notice about the text?
• What questions arise?
• What do you think God might be saying to you in this text?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:

Lord, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see: a Light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people, Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. (Nunc Dmittis)

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Rev. Dr. Ashlee Alley Crawford, Director of Adult Discipleship, an elder in the Great Plains Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, served in campus ministry for twelve years and in leadership with the Great Plains Conference for over a decade. She has a passion for connecting people with resources and encouraging them to nurture their faith and walk in step with Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. She has a D.Min. in spiritual direction from Asbury Theological Seminary. Ashlee also has a Certificate in Discipleship Coaching through Discipleship Ministries.