Unexpected: Middle School Christmas Series

Unexpected: Series Overview
When it comes to Christmas, there is a lot to look forward to. Candy canes, tinsel, twinkling lights, and—oh, right. The gifts. If you’re like most people, you’ve probably spent some time thinking about the gifts you’re hoping to receive this Christmas. Maybe you’ve even made a list so your friends and family know exactly what to give you. But while it’s fun to unwrap a gift you’ve been waiting and hoping for, have you ever been given a gift that took you entirely by surprise? A gift you didn’t even know you wanted until you opened it? A gift that was completely unexpected? Unexpected gifts have been at the heart of the Christmas story for more than two thousand years, beginning with the very first Christmas. And believe it or not, it was God who began the tradition. For the next few weeks, we’ll talk about three times God surprised the world with a gift that was entirely unexpected. And, as we do, we might just discover how much those gifts continue to matter today.

SESSION 1: SILENT TREATMENT (November 29)

BOTTOM LINE: God is with you.

SCRIPTURE:  “… And Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.” MATTHEW 1:1-16 (NIV)

“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son.” GALATIANS 4:4 (NIV)

SESSION 2: BY MY SIDE (December 6)

BOTTOM LINE: Jesus gets you.

SCRIPTURE:  “…She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.’” MATTHEW 1:20-23 (NLT)

“[He] understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do.” HEBREWS 4:15 (NLT)

SESSION 3: POWER SOURCE (December 13)

BOTTOM LINE: The Holy Spirit helps you.

SCRIPTURE:  “‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’” MATTHEW 28:18-20 (NIV)

“‘And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.’” JOHN 14:15-17A (NIV)