
H2H: When Waiting Finds Its Object(December 22nd)
Opener
- What’s something you’ve had to wait a long time for, and how did it feel when the time arrived that you finally got it?
Read
Take turns reading passages through Luke 2:21-35. If you have children involved, this is a great time to include the readers.
[21] And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.[22] And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord [23] (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) [24] and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” [25] Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. [26] And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. [27] And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, [28] he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
(Luke 2:21–35 , ESV)
[29] “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
[30] for my eyes have seen your salvation
[31] that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
[32] a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
[33] And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. [34] And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed [35] (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
Watch Video
Encourage participants to have a pen and paper to write down questions they may have. Then, if they are not answered throughout the study, they can ask them.
Talk About It
Luke 2:21-27—After Christmas
- How does Mary and Joseph’s obedience to God’s law with the Son of God challenge you to think about your obedience to God’s commands?
- FOR THE KIDS: Sometimes it’s easier to be obedient while you wait for your parents or teachers, but after you get what you want, it is harder to obey. Why do you think that is? Mary and Joseph didn’t just obey God while they were waiting for baby Jesus, but even after he came.
Luke 2:28-32—The Heart of Simeon
- What do we learn about Simeon’s faith from his long season of waiting and his sensitivity to the Holy Spirit?
- Simeon speaks of “peace” in connection with death (v. 29). How is biblical peace different from comfort or ease?
- How does seeing Jesus as “salvation itself” challenge the way we sometimes think about faith, works, or personal effort?
- How does Simeon model righteous waiting in contrast to the temptations of distraction, weariness, or carelessness mentioned in the sermon?
- FOR THE KIDS: When it is hard to wait for something, how can you honor God?
Luke 2:33-35— The Heart of the People
- What might Mary and Joseph’s marveling response teach us about how we should receive and ponder the truth about Christ?
- In what ways are you tempted to look for peace or fulfillment somewhere other than Christ?
- How might embracing Christ as God’s salvation reshape the way you wait, hope, or endure in this season of life?
- What do you tend to build your life upon?
- FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: If you could build every day around doing one thing, what would it be and why? Is that what God would want you to build your day around?
Bring It Home
Who is someone you can tell about Jesus? Make plans to invite them to church and share the Gospel with them.

