Dad, are we there yet?
Patience is not a state of being.
What does spiritually healthy waiting look like? The answer is ….. and .
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What were Simeon and Anna waiting on?
Supporting Scripture: Luke 2:25 (ESV)
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He’s waiting on the consolation of Israel.
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- Slavery in Egypt for 400 years.
- Exile in Assyria and Babylon.
- Oppression and devastation from the Greeks (in the 200 years leading up to Jesus.)
- Oppression and obliteration (eventually) by the Romans
He’s waiting on an to their and rest from their enemies.
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Supporting Scripture: Luke 2:38 (ESV)
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Are you waiting on God for something important today?
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How are you supposed to wait when the answer never seems to come?
Simeon and Anna both teach us that spiritually healthy waiting looks like a of .
Supporting Scripture: Luke 2:26 (ESV)
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Supporting Scripture: John 10:27 (ESV)
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The more we walk by the Spirit, the more the Holy Spirit reveals to us God’s plan and God’s will for our lives.
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Supporting Scripture: Luke 2:36-37 (ESV)
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We need to go hard after Jesus.
Is Jesus the main pursuit of your life?
The only way to get at the fulfillment of your deepest need is to go hard after Jesus.
Supporting Scripture: Luke 2:29-30 (ESV)
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Luke 2:21-38 is a powerful passage that features the events surrounding the presentation of Jesus at the Temple, focusing on the themes of waiting, hope, and fulfillment of God’s promises. Here are some personal reflection questions that invite deeper engagement with this passage, especially around the theme of waiting:
1. Simeon’s Waiting (Luke 2:25-26)
- Simeon was waiting for the “consolation of Israel,” the promised Messiah. What does it mean to wait for God’s promises to be fulfilled in your life?
- How does the idea of waiting for something specific (like Simeon waited for Jesus) shape your understanding of patience and trust in God’s timing?
2. Anna’s Waiting (Luke 2:36-38)
- Anna was a widow who dedicated her life to prayer and fasting while waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. How does her example challenge or inspire your own life of devotion and waiting?
- What does Anna’s response to seeing Jesus (giving thanks and speaking of Him to others) reveal about the joy of seeing God’s promises fulfilled?
3. God’s Faithfulness in Waiting
- Reflecting on the fulfillment of God’s promises in the birth of Jesus, how can you trust that God is working even when you are in a period of waiting or uncertainty?
- Have there been moments in your life when you’ve experienced a long wait for something, and in hindsight, you can see that God’s timing was perfect? How did that experience deepen your faith?
4. The Tension Between Waiting and Acting
- Simeon was told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. How does his proactive waiting—being open to the Spirit’s guidance—inform your own actions while waiting for God’s answers or plans to unfold?
- Are there areas of your life where you feel God is asking you to actively wait—where waiting isn’t just passive but involves preparation, prayer, and listening to God’s leading?
5. Anticipation and Hope
- Simeon and Anna had lived many years in anticipation. How does the concept of “hope deferred” resonate with your own experiences? How can hope in God’s ultimate plan help you persevere through long seasons of waiting?
- What are you currently waiting for in your life? How can the waiting you are experiencing deepen your trust and anticipation for God’s goodness?
6. The Role of the Holy Spirit in Waiting
- Both Simeon and Anna were guided by the Holy Spirit during their waiting. How do you sense the Holy Spirit leading you in your own waiting periods? How might you be more open to the Spirit’s guidance during times of uncertainty?
- In what ways can the Holy Spirit empower you to wait with greater peace and expectancy, knowing that God’s plans are always perfect?
7. God’s Timing and Our Timing
- How do you reconcile the difference between your timing and God’s timing when it comes to answered prayers or longings of your heart? Are there areas where you feel God is calling you to let go of control and trust His pace?
- What can you learn from Simeon and Anna about waiting patiently and faithfully, even when it seems like God’s promises are delayed?
8. The Fulfillment of God’s Promises
- When Simeon holds the baby Jesus, he declares, “My eyes have seen your salvation” (Luke 2:30). What does it mean for you personally to witness the fulfillment of God’s promises, either in Scripture or in your own life?
- How does the fulfillment of God’s promises in Jesus give you hope for the fulfillment of other promises you are waiting for?
9. Living in Expectation
- Simeon was “righteous and devout,” waiting for the Messiah with great anticipation. How can you cultivate a lifestyle of hopeful expectation for God’s work in your life, even in the midst of waiting?
- What practices (e.g., prayer, scripture reading, serving others) help you stay rooted in hope while waiting on God’s timing?
10. Sharing the Joy of Waiting
- After seeing Jesus, Anna “gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). How can you share the joy of God’s promises with others, especially after a period of waiting or longing?
- Who in your life might need encouragement to keep waiting and trusting in God’s promises? How might you be an agent of hope to them?