WELCOME (15minutes)
Choose one of the following icebreakers:
(If you have first-time guests, begin with a round of introduction and warmly welcome the new visitors.)
1. Memory Game
Group into teams of 3-5 per team depending on the size of the cell group. Each team are to be seated facing the main leader, who will introduce each word and action one at a time. All members in each team try to follow along and remember the sequence of the words and action. Game will end once the groups are able to say all 8 words in correct order with corresponding actions.
Cue Sheet
| Phrase | Action |
| Christmas tree | Arms above head, fingertips touching. Point to the left and right alternately for counts |
| Give presents | Left and right hands in front of body pushing away from body to the left and right alternately for 4 counts |
| Snowfall | Move arms from above head in a wavy fashion down to where your body is in a squat in 4 counts |
| Gingerbread man | Spin around in a star jump action for 4 counts |
| Warmth | Use arms to hug yourself and sway from the left to the right alternately for 4 counts |
| Christmas lights | Sprinkling hand action above head, diagonally up, at sides and diagonally down over 4 counts |
| Turkey | Flap arms like wings to the right for two counts and to the left for two counts |
| Star | Do a star jump |
2. NEVER HAVE I EVER
Everyone starts off with 5 ‘lives’ indicated by holding up their palm, where all 5 fingers are pointing up. Take turns to share a statement that he/she has never done before, using the phrase ‘Never have I ever…’. If the rest hearing the statement, had done what was shared, they lose 1 ‘life’ by folding down one of their fingers. An example could be someone start by saying, ‘Never have I ever climbed a mountain.’ The hearers who have climbed a mountain, would need to fold down one finger, i.e. they have 4 ‘lives’ remaining.
For large groups, like 10 or more players: Play until you knock out 2 to 3 persons completely.
For smaller groups, less than 10 players: Play until there is one last person left with ‘lives’.
Transition to Worship:
Christmas is a time to celebrate and reflect on God’s love. Let us enter into a time of worship celebrating God’s love for us by sending the ultimate gift, His Son. Let us sing joyfully with grateful hearts and declare the presence of God in our midst.
WORSHIP (20 minutes)
You may use the following suggested worship songs:
- Hark The Herald Angels Sing (C)
- Joy To The World (G)
- Silent Night (E)
- Living Hope (A)
Transition to Word:
Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to save us and redeem us from our sin. As we discover the ultimate gift from God, open our eyes to see Your glory, our ears to hear the good news and our hearts to receive Your boundless grace. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen!
WORD (45minutes)
Memory verse of the week: Ephesians 5:21
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ
Sermon Title: Christmas Presence
By Senior Pastor Daniel Khong on 21 and 22 Dec 19
Scripture Texts: Matthew 1:18-25 (NLT)
18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:
23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.
Introduction
Pastor Daniel Khong shared that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. What makes it so wonderful, special and unique is simply this – Christmas Presence. He was not referring to Christmas Presents as in the gifts we receive but the gift of God’s presence. Christmas is the time we remember the ultimate present that God gave us – His Presence. God’s presence is better than a regular present because:
- A Present is Conditional, God’s Presence is Unconditional
- A Present may be what We Want, God’s Presence is what We Need
- A Present is Temporary, God’s Presence is here to Stay
Discovery & Understanding Questions:
Q1. Why is it so significant for God to send Jesus on first Christmas?
A1. It is so significant because Jesus was sent to save us from our sins so that we will turn from our own way to God’s way. Matthew 1:21 was written in future tense, meaning that it tells us Jesus will save us from our sins.
Matthew 1:21 (NLT)
21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
Q2. Why did Pastor Daniel Khong say that a present may be what we want, but God’s presence is what we need?
A2. God’s presence is what we need because it redeems and pulls us out of the way we are living our lives.
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIVUK)
8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’
The presence of God is what we need rather than material possession. The presence of God heals, comforts, encourages and goes with us and sets us free. Therefore, when we have the presence of God we will have the freedom to live according to the word of God.
2 Corinthians 3:17 (NLT)
17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom
Application Questions:
Break into smaller groups share and minister to one another
Q1. Have members share and give thanks for any recent experience of God’s Presence in their lives.
Q2. Breakout in two’s or three’s to pray and beseech the Presence of God in each other’s lives.
Transition to Works:
As we celebrate Christmas let us not forget to share the good news of "Christmas Presence” with our friends and family members who are yet to give their lives to Jesus. After all, Jesus is the Reason for the Season! So, let us focus on sharing His love with people whom we know this Christmas.
WORKS (15minutes)
- Happiness Group (幸福小组)
Press on with the consolidation of your BESTs. Continue to build relationship and encourage them to attend our weekend Services. Challenge them to get baptized and sign them up for the next baptism. To download baptism forms, click on this URL link: www.fcbc.org.sg/pastoral-care/baptism.
- XFXZ Wave 3 – Starting mid Feb 20
Let’s start preparing our hearts for Wave 3 of XFXZ and praying for our potential BESTs.
- 3x3 Prayer
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the strongholds that bind the people. Ask Him to set up divine appointments for us to minister His power over them (words of knowledge, healing, helps, etc.). Pray for one another to have boldness, courage and obedience to follow through.
- Consolidation of New Converts
Assimilate them! Let them have a sense of belonging with our faith community! Connect with them via phone calls; meet up with them over a meal; make home visits; introduce them to cell members and invite them to fellowship with our faith community in cell and in church.
Announcements:
Please visit https://www.fcbc.org.sg/bulletin/ or our FCBC App for more details.