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How To Find Freedom Through Surrender

The Christmas story that has nothing to do with Christmas:

^{Mattthew 1:18-2:23}

There is a new in town that will upset everyone’s .

Every character in this story will be left with a choice to either or to .

Three things we can choose to accept about our lives:

^{Mattthew 1:20-21, 6:25-33, 7:21,2 Timothy 1:7, Galatians 2:20, Proverbs 3:5-6}

I don’t have to live in my or .

There is a better and a for me than what I can see.

I am not ; God is .

How surrender actually works:

^{Matthew 16:24-26, 26:36-46, Romans 12:1-2}

We have to it to God:

Surrender is an act of the , not a .

We have to it to God:

We place it under His , under His .

We have to with God:

Don’t take it back through or mental .

We have to to our lives:

It is a mindset, not a decision, that sometimes means daily prayers of until it sticks.

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WARM UP

1. This week, Chris shared about Joseph’s very real and understandable fears. Let’s flip that for fun—what’s one silly or irrational fear you have or had at one time? Any idea where it came from?  
   
   
2. Before this week’s message, what was your perception of Joseph’s story? Has your view changed at all after hearing the sermon?     
   
   
3. Was there anything in the message that surprised you or really stood out?
   
   

KNOW IT

1. Read Philippians 2:1–8. Jesus is the perfect example of true surrender. He gave up His rights and chose to obey God completely, embracing humility and suffering even though He didn’t deserve it. How is that different from our usual reaction to unfair treatment? How did Joseph reflect this kind of humility in his own story? 

   
   

2. Jesus tells the disciples what the reward for their surrender will be in Matthew 19:27-30.

   • What stands out to you in His response? What do you think it means to “receive a hundred times as much”? 

     
     

   • Why do you think it’s harder to surrender when the reward isn’t immediately visible? 

     
     

Peter asked Jesus what they would get in return for giving everything up. Would Jesus’ answer have encouraged you, discouraged you, or just left you with more questions?

SHARE IT

1. One way to know how you’re doing with surrendering to the Spirit is to check your fruit of the Spirit. Read Galatians 5:22-23. How do you see these growing in your life right now? Or, is there lack of evidence of fruit, revealing that more surrender might be needed?  
   
   
2. Joseph still had to obey even after surrendering to God’s plan. How do you discern what God is asking of you? Where do you turn for godly wisdom when it’s not clear?  
   
   

LIVE IT

1. Chris talked about laying things at the altar—and leaving them there. What are some areas where people often struggle to fully surrender control? What guidance would you give a friend who keeps taking something back after trying to give it to God?  
   
   
2. Chris encouraged developing a daily rhythm of surrender, and gave the example of a simple, repeated prayer. If Christianity isn’t a religion but a daily choice, what daily habits, prayers, or reminders have helped you stay surrendered to God’s will?