Another Christmas Story- Week 1- December 7

No one likes to wait—especially middle schoolers. During this phase, the part of a middle schooler’s brain that influences their ability to control their own impulses is still developing! That means it’s not always easy for a middle schooler to practice patience. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible! Actually, it’s really important that we help them strengthen their brain’s “patience muscle.” Studies show that impatient children are more likely to experiment with risky or harmful behavior as adolescents. So help your few practice patience now--you never know how it might impact their futures.

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Share a high and a low from the past week.
What’s one thing about Christmas that you can’t wait for?
On a scale of 1-10, how well do you think you know the Christmas story?

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Luke 2:25-30 New Living Translation
The Prophecy of Simeon
25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
    as you have promised.
30 I have seen your salvation,
31     which you have prepared for all people.
32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
    and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

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Why do you think Simeon’s part in the Christmas story isn’t talked about very often?
What, exactly, was Simeon waiting for?
If you had been in Simeon’s 100-year-old shoes, what do you think the hardest part of waiting for God would have been?
What’s one reason someone might be waiting for God today?
How can someone hang onto their trust in God, even when waiting for Him gets difficult?
What’s one thing you can do this week to wait for, and trust, God’s story for your life?

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Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming nurture our growth as people of repentance and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

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L: Go in peace, waiting patiently for God.
C: Thanks be to God!

Mark the Cross of Christ on each others foreheads as a remembrance of your baptism and say these words...

"(Name) you are a beloved Child of God."

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