Dwell: The Arrival
Dwell: WEek 4 : The arrival
Week 4 celebrates the moment God arrived through the birth of Jesus. Through Mary and Joseph, we see that God’s presence brings peace, His calling brings possibility, and His provision brings hope. The arrival of Jesus is the arrival of God’s nearness in every part of our lives.
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DWELL — WEEK 4 BLOG
After centuries of darkness, silence, and waiting—God moved. But not in the way anyone expected.
He didn’t choose a palace, a throne, an army, or a king.
He chose a manger, a teenage girl, a humble carpenter, and a silent night.The Arrival of Jesus shows us that God comes near in ways both breathtaking and beautifully ordinary.
God Dwells With Us Through His Presence (Mary)
When the angel appeared to Mary, her world turned upside down. Fear surged, confusion rose, and yet God spoke peace into her chaos.
We’ve all had moments where God’s presence breaks into our ordinary lives—through worship, prayer, Scripture, creation, community. God still wows us with His presence today.
God Dwells With Us Through His Possibilities
Mary was invited into an impossible assignment—carrying the Messiah. Yet God’s calling always comes with His enabling.
You are uniquely gifted and positioned. God places divine possibilities in ordinary people. The question is not, “Am I qualified?” It’s “Will I say yes?”
God Dwells With Us Through His Peace (Joseph)
Joseph received news that would have wrecked most people. But when God stepped into the story, fear gave way to peace. God’s presence brings clarity, confidence, and calm—even when the circumstances don’t change immediately.
God Dwells With Us Through His Provision
Through Mary and Joseph’s obedience, salvation entered the world. God provided exactly what humanity needed—not comfort, but Christ.
Christmas isn’t just about Jesus coming into the world; it’s about Jesus coming into your world—bringing presence, possibility, peace, and provision.
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Small Group Curriculum – DWELL
Week 4: God With Us
Main Scripture: Luke 1:26–38 (NLT)
Dig Deeper Scripture: Matthew 1:18–25
Big Idea: When God dwells with us, He wows us—with His presence, His possibilities, His peace, and His provision.1. Connect (Icebreaker)
Fun: Share a time when you were surprised or overwhelmed by a gift—maybe it was so good you didn’t know what to say, or so bad you had to fake a smile.
Personal: When have you felt “wowed” by God’s presence in your life? What was that moment like?
Transition: Mary and Joseph were both overwhelmed by the gift of God’s presence. When God dwells with us, He doesn’t just comfort us—He completely changes our perspective.
2. Discover (Scripture & Discussion)
Read Luke 1:26–38 (NLT)
Discussion Questions
What stands out to you about Mary’s response to the angel’s message?
Why do you think she was “confused and disturbed” (v. 29)?
What does the angel’s statement in verse 37—“Nothing is impossible with God”—mean for your own faith journey?
How have you experienced God’s presence giving you peace when you were afraid or uncertain?
What can we learn from Mary’s obedience and trust in verse 38 about how to respond when God calls us to something difficult?
Dig Deeper Scripture: Matthew 1:18–25
How did Joseph experience peace and reassurance when he chose to trust God’s plan?
What similarities and differences do you notice between Mary’s and Joseph’s encounters?
3. Respond (Application & Prayer)
Personal Application
Which part of God’s presence do you need most in this season—His peace, provision, presence, or possibilities?
What’s one step you can take this week to create more space for God to dwell with you?
Group Prayer Prompt
Thank God for the gift of His presence through Jesus.
Pray that each person in the group would experience God’s peace and provision this week.
Ask God to “wow” you again with His power and presence this Christmas season.
Challenge for the Week
Memory Verse: Matthew 1:23 (NLT) — “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
Next Step: Each day this week, pause for five minutes of silence to reflect on God’s presence. Write down one way you see Him “with you” today.
⏱️ Designed for 45–60 minutes
Connect: 10–15 min
Discover: 25–30 min
Respond: 10–15 min
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CONWAY
AYNOR
SOUTH STRAND