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Group Discussion
Questions for facilitating dynamic discussion
Christmas at the Movies
November 29,2025
Week 1: A Christmas Story
Jeff Griffin
1 Kings 21:1-16
Christmas classics have a way of filling our hearts with the joy of the season and the anticipation that comes with it. Who can’t relate to Ralphie Parker’s desire for one special Christmas gift? This week Jeff dove into that particular Christmastime feeling and how it can bring us closer to God.
Kicking It Off:
Can you remember a Christmas where you had an item on your wish list that you wanted more than anything to see under the tree on Christmas morning? What was it? Did you receive it?
Discussion:
1. What is your reaction to the concept of human desire? What if we use the term “longing” instead?
2. Let’s look again at the passage in 1 Kings that Jeff referred to. Read 1 Kings 21:1-16. What did Ahab want? How did he react when he couldn’t have it?
3. It’s tempting to brush off Ahab’s response as childish, or even evil because of what Jezebel does on his behalf. But as Jeff indicated, at some point every human being can be tempted to think, “my life is meaningless if I don’t get this one thing.” Consider a time where you were feeling dejected or unmoored because of something (a job, a promotion, a love interest, a parent’s affection, healing of a loved one) that you couldn’t get. Where was your focus at that time?
4. Now read John 4:6-19. Notice how Jesus doesn’t waste any time before telling the Samaritan woman what He has to offer (living water). What makes the woman immediately ask Him to give her some? Where is her focus? With patience and compassion, not judgment, Jesus draws her into a deeper exploration of her thirst. What does He show her she’s been thirsting for? Her response to this (v.19) is equally revealing of her belief in her own worthiness. Does a belief that you’re unworthy ever get in the way of letting God quench your spiritual thirst for Him?
5. Jeff used Jeremiah 2:13 to illustrate how our worldly longings compare with what God has to offer. He explained that the water from the broken cisterns of our longings can be similar to God’s spring of water in a way that is revealing. In other words, we are to interrogate our longings to discover the core of what we’re looking for – that need that God wants to fill with Himself. What broken cistern of desire in you does Christ want to shine a gentle light on?
Wrapping Up:
Jesus waits to compassionately reveal to each of us what our earthly desires are pointing to about our need for Him. As you all consider your greatest wish for this Christmas, pray that each member of your group would take time to identify their longings and look deeper into how God can meet the need beneath.
Our hearts were meant for more than stuff. ~ Jeff Griffin