Message: Home for Christmas — Part 1 — Longing for Home
Speaker: Justin Terry
Date: November 30, 2025
Warm-Up
1. Where have you seen God at work this week?
2. What does the idea of “home” stir up in you and why is it important to you?
Message Summary
Everyone carries a different picture of what “home” is but underneath those differences is a shared longing and desire. And Scripture tells us why – humanity once had a true home in the presence of God, a perfect relationship with Him and each other, but sin led to exile. Ever since, humanity has lived with a kind of spiritual homesickness. We lost our purpose, relationships, and home when sin entered the Garden but we can still be truly known and safe on this side of eternity. Because of Jesus, we do belong and we never have to be alone. God made a way for Him to dwell with His people and for us to come back home again to Him.
Know It
Read Psalm 84. What stands out to you?
1. How does the Psalmist describe God’s dwelling place and the blessings associated with it?
Which specific word or description stood out to you most?
2. How does this Psalm depict the Lord and His character?
Which one of these characteristics have you seen the most over the past few weeks?
Read Ecclesiastes 3:11.
3. What do you think it means that God has set “eternity” in the human heart?
Own It
1. What does it look like to make your home in God’s presence?
Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 – How can you see eternity and the Garden in the yearning of your heart?
2. What does it look like for you to be fully known by someone?
Read Genesis 2:4-9 – What do you need to feel safe and like you belong?
Next Steps
1. How can you begin to reclaim the purpose and relationships that we lost in the Garden?
What does it practically look like to build a true home on this side of eternity?
2. How does an awareness of eternity change the way you approach your daily decisions?
Read Luke 15:11-32 – How can you take time to remember your initial homecoming to God this December?
Challenge
Who will you invite to Christmas services with you? Start thinking and praying for the person God has put in your life to invite to church with you this Christmas. Our team is praying with you, for friends and family to hear the hope of Jesus this Christmas.