Small Groups

"Where is the child who has been born King of the Jews?" -Matthew 2:2

Fellowship

Fellowship time with snacks

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes)

Form groups of three or four and discuss the followingquestions: Have you ever searched diligently for something that proved to be life-changing? What made the search worthwhile?

Scripture Reading/Group Dialogue— Matthew 2:1–12 (35 minutes)

Invite participants to listen for three movements in the story:

Who is searching?
Who is afraid?
Who is willing to worship?

Setting the Biblical Scene

Matthew begins his Gospel with an astonishing picture: Gentile scholars from the East recognize what religious insiders and political leaders fail to see. A star announces the birth of the Messiah, yet those closest to Jerusalem remain spiritually blind. The magi travel great distances seeking truth. Herod remains close to the Temple yet far from God. The contrast is intentional. Matthew reminds us that proximity to religion does not always produce openness to God. Sometimes those on the margins recognize God's movement before those at the center of power.

Epiphany celebrates God's self-revelation to the nations. The light of Christ is not reserved for one people or one place. God's salvation reaches beyond every boundary of ethnicity, nationality, culture, and social status.

Background Notes/Teaching Insight

Epiphany comes from the Greek word epiphaneia, meaning "manifestation" or "appearing." The church celebrates this season as the revelation of Christ not only to Israel but to the whole world. The magi were likely learned astrologers or wise men from the East, representing the nations coming to worship Israel's Messiah. Their journey fulfills the hope of Isaiah 60, where the nations are drawn to God's light. Matthew intentionally contrasts two kingdoms: Herod's kingdom, built on fear and domination, and God's kingdom, revealed in the vulnerability of a child. The story invites disciples to choose which kingdom they will serve.
Herod's command, "Go and search diligently," was spoken with deceptive motives. Yet God used the words of a fearful ruler to point others toward Christ. Searching for Jesus always requires movement. Faith is rarely discovered by remaining comfortable. The magi left familiarity. They embraced uncertainty. They followed the light they had until God revealed greater light. That is often how discipleship unfolds.

Discussion Questions

Remembering: Who came looking for Jesus, and what guided them
- Suggested Response: The magi from the East followed the star because they believed it signaled the birth of a great king.
Understanding: Why was King Herod disturbed by the news of Jesus' birth?
- Suggested Response: Herod viewed Jesus as a threat to his power and political control. His fear reveals how worldly kingdoms often resist God's kingdom.
Applying: Where is God inviting you to "search diligently" for Christ in this season of your life?
- Suggested Response: Participants may identify deeper prayer, Scripture study, reconciliation, service to others, or greater attentiveness to God's leading.
Analyzing: Compare the responses of the magi, the religious leaders, and Herod. What do these different responses reveal about faith?
- Suggested Response: The magi pursued truth with humility. The religious leaders possessed knowledge but lacked urgency. Herod possessed power but resisted God's purposes. Faith involves more than information; it requires openness, obedience, and worship.
Evaluating: Why do people sometimes miss what God is doing even when the evidence is right in front of them?
- Suggested Response: Fear, comfort, pride, self-interest, prejudice, and attachment to the status quo can blind us to God's work.
Creating: If Jesus were born in your community today, where do you think people would need to "search diligently" to find him? How might our church become more faithful in revealing Christ's light?
- Suggested Response:Participants may identify neighborhoods experiencing poverty, schools, shelters, hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, immigrant communities, and places where people experience loneliness or exclusion.
Kingdom Reflection: Matthew's Gospel reminds us that when power clings to privilege, vulnerable people often suffer. Herod's fear eventually led to violence against innocent children (Matthew 2:16–18). Throughout history, struggles for power have too often come at the expense of those with the least voice. As followers of Jesus, we are called to search diligently for Christ in worship and in the lives of those whom society overlooks. Where children are neglected, where families are displaced, where communities struggle beneath the weight of injustice, there Christ still calls his disciples to follow the light. Epiphany invites us to ask: Whois invisible in our community because we have stopped looking?
African American Historical Reflection: The African American church tradition has long understood what it means to search for God's light in difficult times. During slavery, freedom seekers often followed the North Star toward liberation. That star became more than a navigational guide; it became a symbol of God's faithful presence leading people toward hope. Harriet Tubman trusted that same heavenly guidance as she led hundreds to freedom along the Underground Railroad. Known as "Moses," she relied on prayer, courage, and God's direction, believing that divine light could overcome even the darkest night. The magi followed a star to the Christ Child. Enslaved African Americans followed a star toward freedom. God used light to guide people beyond fear into hope. For Christians today, the light of Christ continues to lead us toward justice, mercy, freedom, and abundant life.
Just One Thing: This week, intentionally "search diligently" for Christ each day.
- Ask yourself: Where did I see God's light today? Who helped me see Christ more clearly? How did I become light for someone else?
- Record one observation each day.

Closing Prayer

God of light, thank you for revealing yourself through Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Give us the courage of the magi to leave what is comfortable, the wisdom to recognize your presence, and the humility to bow in worship before you. Open our eyes to see Christ among those who are overlooked, forgotten, and vulnerable. May your light lead us into deeper faith, greater compassion, and more faithful witness. In the name of Jesus Christ, the light of the nations, we pray. Amen.

About the Author: The Reverend Doctor Victor T. McCullough is the senior pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, and a former district superintendent in The United Methodist Church. He is passionate about spiritual formation, discipleship systems, social justice, and helping believers grow in grace. He writes with a pastoral heart and a desire to make scripture and liberation accessible for all.