Blog Elements

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

H2H: Unexpected King, Unlikely GuestsWhen Waiting Finds Its Object

H2H: When Waiting Finds Its Object(December 22nd) Opener 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 […]

December 23, 2025/by Benjamin Leonard

House2House, Resources

H2H: Unexpected King, Unlikely Guests

H2H: Unexpected King, Unlikely Guests (December 15th) Opener Read Take turns reading passages through Luke 2:1-20. If you have children involved, this is a great time to include the readers. [1] In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2] This was the first registration when […]

December 15, 2025/by Benjamin Leonard

House2House, Resources

H2H: Unexpected King, Unlikely GuestsWhen Waiting Finds Its Object

December 23, 2025/by Benjamin Leonard

House2House, Resources

H2H: Unexpected King, Unlikely Guests

December 15, 2025/by Benjamin Leonard

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

House2House, Resources

H2H: Unexpected King, Unlikely GuestsWhen Waiting Finds Its Object

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,
[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.”
(Luke 2:21–35 , ESV)

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.

Download Printable Copy

December 23, 2025/by Benjamin Leonard

House2House, Resources

H2H: Unexpected King, Unlikely Guests

H2H: Unexpected King, Unlikely Guests (December 15th)

Opener

What has been the best gift you have ever received and why?

Read

Take turns reading passages through Luke 2:1-20. If you have children involved, this is a great time to include the readers.

[1] In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2] This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. [3] And all went to be registered, each to his own town. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, [5] to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. [6] And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. [7] And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

[8] And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. [10] And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

[14] “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

[15] When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” [16] And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. [17] And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. [18] And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. [19] But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. [20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
(Luke 2:1-20, ESV)

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 2:1-7—Unexpected Entrance

If you could have fresh eyes and approach the Christmas story as if it were your first time. What do you think are the most unexpected parts?
Although the Old Testament contains numerous prophecies about the arrival of the King, the people of God were not expecting Him. What holds you back from seeking Christ in your life the way the Bible describes?
FOR THE KIDS: Would you be disappointed if you got no presents for Christmas? Why? (Give them time to answer) That’s because you expect them, and when we don’t get what we expect, we are disappointed, but Jesus fulfills what he says he’s going to do. What are some promises that Jesus has given us?

Luke 2:8-14—Unexpected Announcement

When Zechariah gets the opportunity to obey, he doesn’t delay. Despite the traditions of others around him and the lack of a voice, he cannot help but obey. His obedience not only freed his tongue and glorified God, but it also inspired awe in all who saw it happen. What kind of obedience do you think we could do as individuals or the church that would inspire awe in those around us? Are there times in your life that you tend to run from the things of God because you feel unworthy? Like times when you don’t pray, read your Bible, or attend church? How does this account help us to think about those things?
FOR THE KIDS: Are there kids at school or in your lives that you think would never believe in Jesus? Why? This story reminds us that Jesus especially comes for them, and you should want them to know Jesus, too.

Luke 2:15-20—Unexpected Response

We saw four responses from these verses in today’s video: Go to Christ, Wonder at Christ, Treasure Christ, and Glorify Christ. Which one do you think is most difficult for you?
What are some practical ways you can more intentionally prepare yourself to respond to Christ in these ways?
FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: One of the ways we can treasure Jesus is by remembering his words. Let’s work together to find a verse to memorize this week.

Bring It Home

The Shepherds left praising God! An appropriate response to this great news of joy was to sing a song! Take time to sing a few more songs together (It’s ok to use a YouTube video to help).

Download Printable Copy

December 15, 2025/by Benjamin Leonard

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

H2H: Unexpected King, Unlikely GuestsWhen Waiting Finds Its Object

H2H: Unexpected King, Unlikely Guests

H2H: Unexpected King, Unlikely GuestsWhen Waiting Finds Its Object

H2H: Unexpected King, Unlikely Guests

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

H2H: Unexpected King, Unlikely GuestsWhen Waiting Finds Its Object

H2H: When Waiting Finds Its Object(December 22nd)

Opener

Read

Watch Video

Talk About It

Luke 2:21-27—After Christmas

Luke 2:28-32—The Heart of Simeon

Luke 2:33-35— The Heart of the People

Bring It Home

H2H: Unexpected King, Unlikely Guests

H2H: Unexpected King, Unlikely Guests (December 15th)

Opener

Read

Watch Video

Talk About It

Luke 2:1-7—Unexpected Entrance

Luke 2:8-14—Unexpected Announcement

Luke 2:15-20—Unexpected Response

Bring It Home

Can we help you find something?

Contact Us:

What’s New?

Follow Us

Subscribe to the Blog

Follow us on Twitter