Faithful Leader Guide: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph

By Adam Hamilton

In this study, you will understand how Joseph's place in the nativity story is much like our own. In life, we encounter circumstances that we would have never chosen for ourselves. At times it can be tempting just to walk away. Joseph provides us a great example of humbly obeying God even when we don't understand and faithfully moving forward in the strength that God provides.
Exchange your doubt for courage this Advent and Christmas season.

Learn to accept and glorify God's will even when circumstances make it difficult to do so.


The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the four-week study, including session plans, activities, and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Abingdon Press
• Release date: Oct 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781501814129

Adam Hamilton

Adam Hamilton is the founding pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City. Started in 1990 with four people, the church has grown to become the largest United Methodist Church in the United States with over 18,000 members. The church is well known for connecting with agnostics, skeptics, and spiritual seekers. In 2012, it was recognized as the most influential mainline church in America, and Hamilton was asked by the White House to deliver the sermon at the Obama inaugural prayer service. Hamilton, whose theological training includes an undergraduate degree from Oral Roberts University and a graduate degree from Southern Methodist University where he was honored for his work in social ethics, is the author of nineteen books. He has been married to his wife, LaVon, for thirty-one years and has two adult daughters.

Book preview

TO THE LEADER

Welcome! Thank you for accepting the invitation to serve as the facilitator for this study of Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph, by Adam Hamilton. You and your group of learners will journey together toward a greater understanding of Joseph, the man God chose to be the earthly father of Jesus Christ.

In this study, Adam Hamilton invites his readers to consider Joseph from a variety of perspectives. In session 1, you will get to know Joseph as the carpenter. A focus of session 2 will be the ancestry of Joseph and Jesus, and what influence Jesus’ family tree had on his ministry. In session 3, Hamilton challenges his readers to be mindful of the needs of all God’s children, not only the children within their own families. Session 4 provides the opportunity to learn about the journey of Joseph and his family to Bethlehem and to explore how God is present with us when we face journeys that are challenging or difficult.

These four sessions make use of the following components:

•The book Faithful by Adam Hamilton

•A DVD with a video segment for each of the four book chapters

•This Leader Guide

In addition to the four chapters, the book includes a final section, The Rest of the Story, which tells what we know about Joseph after Jesus’ birth. Groups that want a five-session study can use the final book section to create a fifth session, and we have included a session plan for that purpose in this Leader Guide. Note that there is no accompanying video for the final section.

It will be helpful if participants obtain a copy of the book in advance and read chapter 1 before the first session. Each participant will need a Bible. A notebook, journal, or electronic tablet is also recommended for taking notes, recording insights, and noting questions during the study.

For those who would like to have an all-church emphasis on Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph, the program includes a Youth Study Book and a Children’s Leader Guide, so that all ages can be involved.

Using This Guide with Your Group

Scripture tells us that where two or three are gathered together, we can be assured of the presence of the Holy Spirit working in and through all those gathered. As you prepare to lead, pray for that presence and expect that you will experience it.

Because no two groups are alike, this guide has been designed to give you as study leader some flexibility and choice in tailoring the sessions for your group. The session format is listed below.

In the book and videos, participants will discover a rich offering of information presented in an accessible way. As study leader, you will want to tailor your session activities to the needs and interests of your particular group, as well as to the timeframe you have available.

Session Format

Planning the Session

Session Goals

Biblical Foundation

Before the Session

Getting Started

Opening Activities

Opening Prayer

Learning Together

Video Study and Discussion

Bible Study and Discussion

Book Study and Discussion

Optional Activity

Wrapping Up

Closing Activity

Closing Prayer

Helpful Hints

Preparing for the Session

•Pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit as you prepare for the study. Pray for discernment for yourself and for each member of the study group.

•Before each session, familiarize yourself with the content. Read the week’s book chapters again and watch the video segment.

•Choose the session elements you will use during the group session, including the specific discussion questions you plan to cover. Be prepared, however, to adjust the session as group members interact and as questions arise. Prepare carefully, but allow space for the