We Three Kings – STUDY GUIDE

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Icebreaker: If you could give one gift to King Jesus this Christmas, what would it be and why?

Sermon Title: “We Three Kings” – Matthew 2:1-12

Group Discussion:

Read Matthew 2:1-12 – The Magi – We see how the Magi responded with worship and sacrifice, while King Herod responded with fear and control. What do these contrasting responses reveal about how people react when confronted with Jesus’ Kingship today? Where might we notice these same tendencies in our own lives (e.g., worship, sacrifice, fear, control); how can we be more Magi-like?

Read Luke 2:1-2, Matthew 2:16-20, & John 10:7-10 – The rival kings – Caesar ruled through decree, Herod through fear, and Jesus rules through absolute truth and sacrificial love. How can recognizing the nuances of these competing approaches to authority influence our allegiances and loyalties? And discuss what we will experience when our worldview, mentality, and actions reflect allegiance to Jesus’ Kingdom rather than the kingdoms of this world.

Read Galatians 5:16-17, Romans 7:15-20, & 1 John 2:15-17 – The desires that rule us (e.g., our own desire, the enemy’s desire, Jesus’ desire) – How can these scriptures help us comprehend why we might sometimes feel conflicted. What worldly desires are most persuasive in our culture today, and what practical steps can we take to resist their temptations and center our desires on Jesus’ eternity.

Read Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 2:2, & Mark 13:26–27 – Discuss the truth and hope we have in Jesus as our Prophesied King, Worshiped King, and Returning King. For example, since the prophets were proven correct in their prophecies about Jesus’ birth, His ministry, and His death-resurrection, why would we waver in our surrender and worship, and why would we doubt His prophesized return?

Spiritual Disciplines & Action Steps: Find resources for this series on our Church Center app: Church Center / Home / Sermon Resources, like The Wise Men: 5 Insights & Jesus’ Promised Return

– Prayerfully consider what God is inviting you to release, pursue, or reorient in your life so that your response to Jesus closely reflects the Magi’s worship and sacrifice rather than King Herod’s fear.

– And consistently engage in these daily practices: (1) self-examination, (2) prayer, scripture reading, worship, and fellowship with other believers, and (3) boundaries and accountability: Identify specific areas where desires and temptations are strongest and create practical guardrails and accountability.