Good Morning!
If you’re new here, welcome! Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.

WORSHIP FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Worship can be as simple as thanking God for who He is & what He does. (Psalm 100:4)
1. Start out by writing or saying out loud 3-5 things you’re thankful for.
2. Play or sing some worship music you love, or use this Christmas Worship Playlist.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Pray a simple prayer before reading, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth. (John 14:26)
Today’s reading is from John 5:37-47, Ecodus 3:1-16, Isaiah 33:22 & Philippians 2:5-11
Highlight verses that capture your attention, and ask three simple questions as you read…
S = Say. What is the main point? What does it teach about God (Jesus) & yourself?
O = Obey. What can you apply (practice) from this passage today?
S = Share. Who can you share what you’re learning with today?
One of the best ways to learn more about the Bible is by discussing it with others.
Work through this week’s Discussion Guide and meet up with a Paradox Lifegroup.

A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING…
’Tis the season for family gatherings. Families are an interesting thing… the familiarity of years often causes us to take certain personality traits, traditions, or even the relationship itself for granted. Christmas is a reminder that humanity has not always enjoyed the revelation, knowledge of and access to God that we’ve grown accustomed to. We’ve become familiar with God over the years. And in some ways, we’ve taken familiarity for granted. In the beginning, God walked and talked personally with Adam in the garden of Eden. This is the relationship we’re meant to have with our Creator God. When sin entered the world, the familiarity we once enjoyed was lost. The world grew dark. Our relationship with God distant. When Moses approached the burning bush, he did so fearfully, asking “Who are you? What is your name?” Who was this God he (and people) had become unfamiliar with? It was the beginning of a relationship that would grow in familiarity over the years through revelation - first in the law, then in the prophets. Their revelation would be collected into the Holy Scriptures. The Pharisees and religious leaders would read these, trying to become more and more familiar with this God - who He is, what He’s like, what He desired from them, what His relationship was to them - only to fall short. You can only know a person to a certain extent when all you have are letters of law. If you want to really become familiar with someone, you need to meet. See them. Talk with them. Look in their eyes. Hear how they speak, watch how they live, learn what they like and don’t like - what’s important and unimportant, what they value. Laugh with them. Cry with them. Live life with them. This is why Jesus came. It’s what we celebrate at Christmas - what makes our God and the Christian faith so unique. God in the flesh. Making himself known in the person of Jesus. Lord, come that we might be familiar with you again! - Dave Kubiak

PRAYER FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Prayer is a conversation that involves both talking and listening to God.
One simple way to “pray constantly” is to take “breather” moments throughout your day to pray.
Start by practicing one of these Advent Breath Prayers.

SHARE THE FOCUS | 1-5 Minutes
1. Text someone a prayer/encouragement, or share a thought/question with us in the Forum.
2. Invite someone to read the Focus with you. Text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.

That’s all for today.
Stay focused on Jesus, and make it a great one!