Session 1 Summary: Silent Treatment
You’ve heard of the silent treatment, right? If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of the silent treatment then you know it’s confusing, hurtful, and just no fun at all. Have you ever felt like you were getting the silent treatment from God? You’ve prayed for something and felt like you never heard Him respond. You’ve been in a hard situation or have questions about things happening around you, and it seems like God is nowhere to be found. If you’ve ever felt that way about God, I’ve got some news for you—you’re not alone! In fact, lots of people in the Bible felt this way, too. As the Old Testament came to a close, believers in God were left with hundreds of years of what seemed like silence before His work in the New Testament began. But as we look at the end of one chapter and the beginning of another, we’ll see that even though God seemed silent, He was working on behalf of His people all along. Christmas was coming!
 Bottom Line
Even when God is silent, He’s up to something.
GOAL OF DISCUSSION
To help us understand that even when it seems like God is silent, God is right beside us, working through our difficult circumstances. 

Matthew 1:16 New Living Translation (NLT)
16 Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.

Galatians 4:4 New Living Translation (NLT)
​4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.

God, thank you for sending us your son. Help us to trust in you, even when we are not sure of your presence in our situations and circumstances. Forgive us when we get frustrated and impatient with you. Remind us that you are working even when you are silent. In your name we pray, AMEN.

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.

By Autumn Ward
One night last December, I found myself sitting at the kitchen table making Christmas cookies – by myself. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just that was not the plan. That was not our tradition.
Now that my kids are teenagers with busy schedules of their own, no one else was home but me. So there I sat, clinging to my tradition, making cookies alone – and feeling pretty sad about the whole thing. (I’m sure I let everyone know how sad I was when they got home.)

One thing parenting has taught me about traditions is that they are easy to start and hard to let go. So what happens when the kids get older and you find yourself experiencing more transition than tradition?
The first thing I had to do was accept that transition is a part of life. It’s evidence that my kids are growing up and growing up is a good thing. It’s ok that they don’t want to watch Frosty the Snowman or make ornaments out of felt anymore. Now that they’re college and high school age their interests have changed – they are transitioning. Knowing that, if we want to stay connected with our kids, tweaking a tradition or even starting a new one needs to happen.

Second, their dad and I had to decide which traditions were worth clinging to and which ones we needed to let go. We did this by simply asking the kids which traditions meant the most to them. This helped so much! I was surprised by some of the things they said, like getting a peppermint milkshake in our PJs while driving around looking at Christmas lights had to stay. That one still gets two thumbs up! Making the gingerbread house on the other hand…it could go. (And while we’re at it, the Christmas cartoons could go too!) Whoknew? They knew! Deciding on traditions with the kids gave us permission to let go of some things – guilt free – and stop trying to force moments to happen that they had outgrown.

We pick up this session with the team in the Tribute building attempting to rescue Peeta and the other tributes and bring them back to District 13. 

1. What has been one of the most stressful moments you have had this year? What about it made it stressful?
 
2. How do you deal with stressful situations? How does who you are, your identity, affect your reactions? Or do you think it does?
 
3. Have you ever heard the phrase “fake it ‘til you make it”? What do you think it means? Have you ever had to fake something to get through a stressful time?
How does faking something impact our identity?
 
4. What role does your past play in who you are today? What has impacted you the most as you look at your past? A friend? Family member? Experience?
 
5. How do these Bible verses, change your identity in
everyday life?
​
Romans 8:16
For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 
Ephesians 1:4
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
 

Last week we looked at the role of media in our lives and how our identity is “made” by things we believe and other influencers that surround us.
This week we will pick up the story as Katniss again struggles with who she is and how others help her find hope and her identity. 

1. Have you ever been part of a team, ensemble or group?  What was your experience like? Good, bad, other?
 
2. Have you ever had an experience where you needed others to help you? Explain.
 
3. When have you felt like you were giving others hope? What did you do? What did you say?
 
4. Why is it important to lean on others when we need help? And to be available for others to lean on us?

Others Interests…
When we help others, we do not focus on our own needs. When we help others, we do not look for something in return.
When we need the help of others, we are grateful for their time.
When we need the help of others, we are thankful for their support.

5. Read Philippians 2:4-7
Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God,
    he did not think of equality with God
    as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
    he took the humble position of a slave
    and was born as a human being.

What does this Bible verse say about looking
out for others? What happens to us? 

Last week we started Mockingjay Part 1 in the Hunger Games Trilogy, Looking at how identity is “made”. Katniss struggled with finding her identity in the midst of the chaos created by her rescue and the impending civil war between the Capitol and the Districts. This week we will continue the story as Katniss continues to struggle with her role as the Mockingjay. "Propo" videos between the Capitol and the Districts become a focus point and start to bring the reality of being the Mockingjay and what it means to the people. Katniss and Peeta become the vocal influence for their "sides". Katniss starts to doubt her commitment to the Districts as well as Peeta's commitment to the Capitol. We end the session with a clip form the movie showing a group of people running toward the dam, which provides the Capitol with electricity, and blowing it up, leaving the Capitol dark.

1. What is your favorite commercial or advertisement?
2. Is who you are defined by the things you to? By what you wear? By what you own?
3. What defines the essence of who you are?

Our Identity Influencers:
Brainstorm what things in your life shape how you feel about yourself and whether those things are positive, negative or context-sensitive (meaning they could go either way). Share your list with others.

4. What makes something a good or bad influence on how we feel about our identity?
5. Read Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 
Do you find it easy or hard to believe God's opinion about yourself? Why or why not?