Devotional Content

Scripture: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV)

Devotional Thought:
God’s promises transcend time and cultural boundaries that easily divide. The Promised Savior unites those who trust Him to a loving relationship with the Father and to community. At In Focus Church, we see the beauty of a multi-ethnic, multi-generational community reflecting His kingdom. The birth of Christ is not just a fulfillment of a promise for Israel, but one fulfilled for all humanity, bringing peace to our personal lives and unity to our church family.

Questions:

1. What does this passage reveal about God’s character and promises?

2. How does knowing Jesus as the Prince of Peace impact your personal peace?

3. How can you bring peace to a situation in your community this week?

Scripture: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” – Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV)

Devotional Thought:
Jesus’ birth wasn’t random—it was perfectly timed. As the author of time itself, God directs the seasons of our lives and wisely stewards every moment for His glory and our good (see Romans 8:28) . At In Focus, we embrace this truth, knowing God is working in our community and through us, even when the timing feels uncertain.

Questions:

1. Why is the timing of Jesus’ arrival significant?

2. What does it look like to actively trust God’s timing in your own life?

3. Identify one area of your life where you will practice patience and trust God this week.

Scripture: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).” – Matthew 1:23 (ESV)

Devotional Thought:
Jesus is "God with us" in every circumstance. Colossians 1:15 says He is the “image of the invisible God,” meaning He shares the nature, character, and essence of God. God’s plan was for Jesus to become man and share in humanity’s joy and sorrow. He is well acquainted with suffering. But He also gave us the Holy Spirit to be with us always, reminding us of the love, power, and presence of God. Whether you’re navigating a season of joy or challenge, He is present. 

Questions:

1. What does "Immanuel" mean for how you view God’s presence?

2. When you face challenges, how does knowing God is with you affect your heart’s tendency to worry? 

3. God can use you to demonstrate to others that He is with them. Reach out to someone who feels lonely or forgotten and do what you can to serve them.

Scripture: “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:4-5 (ESV)

Devotional Thought:
In a world filled with brokenness, Jesus shines as the unquenchable light. God’s Church is to be a people who carry His light into dark places. This should occur in every area of life including family and work, as well as across the cultural boundaries that easily divide, like race and politics. At In Focus, we want to trust Jesus by carrying His light into the CSRA, sharing hope with others who need the joy that Christ brings.

Questions:

1. How does Jesus being the light of the world shape your understanding of Him?

2. In what areas of your life do you need the light of Christ to shine?

3. Share a word of encouragement with someone struggling with darkness.

Scripture: “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations.” – Isaiah 42:6-7 (ESV)

Devotional Thought:
Jesus is the hope for all nations. At In Focus, our diversity is a glimpse of this global mission. We celebrate that Christ came for all people, reminding us to carry His light to every corner of the world, starting with our own community. 

Questions:

1. What does this passage say about Jesus’ mission?

2. How does the global mission of Jesus affect your heart towards people of other ethnicities & cultures?

3. Support a global or local mission effort this Advent season.

Scripture: “As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way’—a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” – Mark 1:2-4 (NIV)

Devotional Thought:
John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, calling people to repentance (which means turning away from sin). Preparing a ‘way’ or a road is hard, but necessary work. Thank God that He prepares our hearts, but this work is something we must respond to with humility and surrender. 

Questions:

1. Why is repentance important in preparing for Jesus?

2. What areas in your life need to be surrendered to God?

3. Reach out to a trusted Christian friend and ask them to help you surrender these areas.

Scripture: “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” – Genesis 12:2-3 (ESV)

Devotional Thought:
God’s promise to Abraham is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. Through Abraham came his son and the descendants that followed. Similarly, God’s children are born again through Jesus, forming a heavenly nation united through diversity. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is good news that  brings blessing to every nation, tribe, and people group. If you are a follower of Jesus, then you are a part of this blessing! Together, we are called to live out God’s mission as a family that reflects His kingdom on earth.

Questions:

1. How does Jesus fulfill God’s promise to Abraham?

2. How does knowing you are part of God’s family & a heavenly nation affect your identity?

3. Be a blessing to someone in your family, workplace, or community this week.

Scripture: “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.” – Luke 2:7 (ESV)

Devotional Thought:
Jesus’ humble birth reflects God’s love and value for the lowly and overlooked. Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, yet He did not consider His divine status as something to be used to His advantage (Philippians 2:6). As followers of Jesus, we should embrace this same humility by remembering Christ’s example, and also humbly remembering that our sin makes us lowly, vulnerable, and in need. Christ’s love calls us to meet people where they are, just as He came to us.

Questions:

1. Why is it significant that Jesus was born in such humble circumstances?

2. How does the humility of Jesus inspire your view of love and service to the lowly and overlooked?

3. Find a way to serve someone in need this week with humility and love.

Scripture: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (ESV)

Devotional Thought:
Jesus is the ultimate gift of love. Gifts are not given to those who deserve them, wages are. Gifts are given out of the generosity, love, and kindness of the giver. We are recipients of God’s generosity! This season, we celebrate His generosity by sharing love with our church and our city, inviting others to receive the greatest gift.

Questions:

1. What does this passage teach about the nature of God’s love?

2. How does accepting this gift change the way you view God, yourself, and others?

3. Share the love of Christ with someone by meeting a need and/or sharing your story of how you received the love of Christ.

Scripture: “And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed,” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭46‬-‭48‬ (‭CSB‬‬)

Devotional Thought:
Mary’s response to God’s calling is one of worship. Mary undoubtedly experienced negativity from cultural pressures through her miraculous pregnancy. Yet she worshipped wholeheartedly as she reflected on the goodness of God. Her song reminds us to rejoice in God’s faithfulness and to worship Him for what He is doing in and through our community. Her story shows us that God is worthy of our worship regardless of the circumstances we face.

Questions:

1. What does Mary’s song reveal about her understanding of God?

2. Think of a hymn or a worship song that you love. How does that song demonstrate your understanding of God? Can you find any Bible verses that support your understanding of God?

3. Write down three things you are grateful for and praise God for them in prayer, and in song!

Scripture: “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ (‭CSB‬‬)

Devotional Thought:
God’s love reaches us at our worst, transforming us through grace. Not only does He meet us where we are, but He pursued us to get to that place. When we struggle to believe God’s love for us due to our sin, feelings, or circumstances, we are actually magnifying our sin, feelings, or circumstances over His perfection, love, grace, and saving power.

In those moments of doubt and unbelief, we can choose to remember His love met us in our worse, and therefore He welcomes us to bring our “worst” today. This is the love we are called to embrace within our relationship with God and to embody as His people — loving others and reflecting Jesus to a broken world.

Questions:

1. What does this verse teach about the depth of God’s love?

2. How does understanding God’s love for you affect your view of others?

3. Can you choose to extend forgiveness and serve someone who does not deserve your kindness, as Christ forgave you?

Scripture: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” – Ephesians 2:13-14 (ESV)

Devotional Thought:
Jesus breaks down every barrier, uniting us as one body. We are called to love one another the way that Christ has loved us – by serving and looking in the best interest of one another. This means that all of the lines that could divide followers of Jesus are overcome by the greater factor that unites us: Jesus. At In Focus Church, we celebrate this love that transcends race, generation, socioeconomic status, political party, etc. reminding us that we are one in Christ.

Questions:

1. How does Jesus’ arrival bring peace and unity?

2. Is there a divided relationship in your life that God is calling you to reconcile?

3. Reach out to someone with whom you’ve been distant and make a humble effort to serve them.

Scripture: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” – Luke 2:8-9 (NIV)

Devotional Thought:

God chose to announce Jesus’ birth to shepherds—societal outsiders engaged in a seemingly mundane and unpleasant occupation. This act of divine love and pursuit of the lowly and humble demonstrates that God is not biased towards the wealthy and privileged. 

Moreover, it displays God’s willingness to meet us in the ordinary moments of our daily lives. At In Focus Church, we want to create a welcoming environment for everyone, regardless of their background or status. We also want this to radiate into our daily interactions, enabling us to worship and experience God even in the ordinary, while sharing and demonstrating His love for others to encounter Him as well. 

Questions:

1. How do you think having a humble heart contributes to a relationship with God?

2. How has God’s love for you shined through when you felt  overlooked or marginalized?

3. Invite someone who might feel excluded to join you for a meal or conversation?

Scripture: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

Devotional Thought:
God’s love for us pursues us even though we don’t deserve it; He meets us at our worst. For those who humbly trust Him through the commitment of their lives to follow Him, Jesus transforms us, and makes us new. The result is that our desires, habits, thoughts, opinions, & motives change to look more like Jesus’ and less like what we learned from family, friends, and society. 

At In Focus, we celebrate stories of transformation (aka testimonies or two-minute miracles), knowing that God is continually working to renew our hearts and our community. Our two-minute miracles tell of what our life was like before we knew Jesus, how we experienced and responded to His love, and how He is changing our lives. These testimonies encourage others as they learn of God’s character and nature through the perspectives of other people.

Questions:

1. Have you become a new creation through the transformative work of Jesus? If so, what areas demonstrate that your old way of living has passed away”? 

2. In what areas of your life do you long for renewal and transformation?

3. Reach out to a friend and share what Jesus has been transforming in your life and what you are needing Him to continue transforming. Ask them to pray for you.