"Songs of Christmas" Song of Simeon w/ Tim Richards

This Sunday, Pastor Tim Richards speaks on Luke 2:28-35, Simeon's Story and the Song or Canticle of Simeon  Sermon Questions: 1. Were you raised by a step parent? What unique challenges did that relationship bring? What unique challenges do you think Joseph faced as a step father to God's incarnate son? What information do you find in the biblical account of Joseph that gives us clues about the kind of step parent he was (see Luke 2 and Matthew 1). 2.Simeon lived in a very unpeaceful time and place. Why did he say he could now "depart in peace" when he had seen the baby Jesus? Can you draw any lessons from Simeon's peace that can help in your own times of conflict? 3. Luke says that Mary and Joseph marveled at Simeon's words. Each had prior encounters with angels so they knew Jesus was a special child. What do you think they marveled at in their encounter with Simeon? 4. Simeon said that many would fall and rise because of Jesus. How was that true? How is it still true today? Can you identify places in your life where coming to Jesus has both caused you to fall as well as rise? What happened and how did it change you?