Jesus, The Hope of the World

Hope. It’s so easy to lose but so generously available. We need hope. In a world where uncertainty and disillusionment are mixed into the air we breathe, we need a fresh perspective. For centuries people hoped for the coming Messiah—Jesus, the Savior of the world. He came. Hope fulfilled. But even today, hopelessness abounds. Maybe this Christmas, what you need more than anything is renewed hope about who Jesus is and what He can do in your life.

Our world is faced with many challenges. What do you think contributes to a sense of hopelessness among many? When is hope most difficult for you to find?

Isaiah describes the hopeful anticipation of the coming Messiah. Read Isaiah 9:6-7. How would this promise help provide hope for God’s people? How do these verses bring hope to you?

Read Lamentations 3:18-26. What do you notice about the writer’s journey from hopelessness to hope? What do you do to remain hopeful?

How does Peter describe the kind of hope available to the believer in Jesus (1 Peter 1:3)? A life of hope is one of God’s great desires for you. Read Romans 15:13. What would it look like for you to “abound in hope?”

No one would argue that life presents us with many challenges. How is the future anticipation of being with God forever a present hope? Is the reality of heaven a source of comfort for you? Why or why not?