The Heart That Grew Three Sizes Advent Bible Study

Led by Pastor Ray, adapted from Matt Rawle’s work

Presented on Tuesday, Dec 6 and 13 at 6:30-7:30 pm

Zoom connection: Meeting ID: 833 7606 6627   Passcode: 134864

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83376066627?pwd=VnVOK0RDdnFBNEwxYzFWMWVFTW5lUT09

Study Introduction:

If you haven’t seen The Grinch Who Stole Christmas in a while, here’s a YouTube playlist:

Format:

• Gather, opening prayer
• Watch the first (third) teaching video, followed by 10-15 minutes discussion
• Watch the second (fourth) teaching video, followed by 10-15 minutes discussion
• Final thoughts and close

Please reply if you plan on attending and we’ll send you the discussion questions. We’ll also have some printed at the church.

Discussion Questions:

Session 1: When Everything is Wrong

• First thing you think about when you hear about the Grinch.
• Should we hate the Grinch or is he worthy of our sympathy?
• The Grinch hated Christmas. Hate doesn’t need much of a reason to consume us!
• Hate takes something beautiful, makes it a weapon, and makes it ugly.
• Perfection is not a reason for not celebrating Christmas well.
• Amos 5:15, 21-24. What do we hate?
• Peace hate war; Hope hate despair; Joy stamps out mourning; Love hates evil, holds on to good
• Advent expectation vs God’s gifts. Disarmed, space for peace. Without peace …
• Peace contrasts the exhausting and destructive behavior of hate.

Session 2: When Christmas Isn’t Christmas

• Parody.  Do you have a favorite parody? Doesn’t have to be Christmas.
• Jonah absurd story to point out an absurd truth. To be angry with God’s grace is absurd.
• Seasonal, cultural markers aren’t the miracle itself, even though they can point to the truth.
• The Grinch is upset with the markers. The pandemic gave us a glimpse of losing the markers.
• Deep insight: The forgiveness of Babylon (Magi). Egypt’s redemption (Flight to Egypt)
• Key is to point to Christ.
• Poetry vs Blueprint.  Hope offers a different narrative. Isaiah 11:1-4

Session 3: When Light Shines

• The Grinch operates in the darkness of night.
• Darkness is the absence of light. Bad: Hide and obscure things. Good: can heighten other senses
• Luke 2:8-9, Jesus born in the evening/night. Glory of the Lord a bit brighter.
• Grinch and Cindy, why are you taking the tree away? Moral compass.
• An effortless lie often reveals a truth hiding under the surface. Conceals.
• Story of the Belsnickle.  Christmas is about the kindness and generosity.
• Jesus grew in wisdom, glimmer of vulnerability of the Incarnation.
• Love came down at Christmas … Jesus!
• What are you doing? What sign are we offering to the world?

Session 4: When Joy Is Our Song

• The Grinch succeeded in taking away their Christmas, but …
• Music can be the vehicle to move us.  Major/minor key.
• Consider that we are a song, and our role is to be in harmony.
• Difficult to hear the song with a hard or small heart.
• Advent and Christmas are saturated with music!
• Pandemic: suspending singing … something missing.
• It is a song that transforms the Grinch. “how can I keep from singing”
• Christmas is about Love, Jesus is what God’s love looks like
• The Whos forgave the Grinch
• The Grinch, the outsider is now at the head of the table.  Wreath / halo
• Christmas is our story that Love is the lord of heaven and earth. How can we not sing?!