Introducing our Week 1 video: Secret Santa!

Please use the discussion questions below for families/children’s ministries or small groups. Check back each week for the newest video.

Families and Children’s Ministries: 

1. Santa started off with the name Nicolas. This is why he is sometimes called St. Nick. What other names have you heard Santa called?
2. We generally think of Santa being older, but just like your grandmas or grandpas, he used to be young as well. What do you think Santa looked like when he was younger? (Watch video after this question).
3. Santa didn’t start off giving people toys, but rather things that they really needed. How does God do the same thing for us?
4. In the story, Santa gave three gifts to the family in need. Can you think of a Christmas story in the Bible where people brought 3 presents to celebrate the first Christmas?
5. Read or listen to Matthew 2:1-23 (You may want to paraphrase what happens in verses 16-18, but don’t leave the verses out completely; it is a very important part of the story). Can you guess what Mary and Joseph used the gold, frankincense, and myrrh for?
6. Joseph and Mary did not have very much money at all. Yet they had to move to another country where they knew nobody and had no jobs at all. Mary and Joseph would have had to to use the 3 gifts simply to be able to get to Egypt and survive there with Jesus for at least 2 years. What does Santa’s story of the 3 bags of gold have in common with the story of the gifts of the Magi (wise men)?
7. Both the wise men and Santa gave gifts that helped people with their basic needs of survival. Part of the SKINNYSANTA challenge is to ‘go skinny’ on gifts for each other so that we can help out a child who is in need. How can you ‘go skinny’ on gifts for each other? How can you ask your parents or grandparents to ‘go skinny’ on gifts for you?
8. Another part of the SKINNYSANTA challenge is to Share Skinny, meaning we share the story of SKINNYSANTA with our friends and family. Who can you invite this week to come and hear about SKINNYSANTA at church next Sunday?

 

Small Groups: 

NOTE: ALWAYS REMEMBER WHEN SPEAKING OF SANTA THAT LITTLE EARS ARE AROUND AND CAN HEAR OUR DISCUSSIONS.

1. What is your earliest memory of Santa Claus? Were you ever terrified of Santa?
2. Santa was known as Nicholas of Myra. He was born in what is now Turkey in about 260 AD. It was a part of the Roman empire at the time. Santa lived the first 50 years or so of his life in a land where Christianity was illegal. He actually endured beatings from time to time from the government for practicing his faith as well. How does that change your perception of Santa? (Watch video after this question) 
3. Nick’s parents died when he was about 18, and he received a large inheritance from them. Nicholas had a deep conviction that his inherited wealth could destroy him. He saw wealth as a huge temptation that would lead him away from God if he didn’t use it to help people in need. How would you have responded if you would have received a large inheritance when you were 18 years old with no strings attached?
4. How does Santa’s view of wealth clash with our views today? Which view is more biblical? Read the following scriptures which were used in historical documents describing Santa’s views on wealth: Psalm 143:10; Psalm 62:10
5. For the first 300 years of the church, Christians regularly faced persecution. Many lost all of their material wealth for upholding their beliefs in Jesus. The only way they survived was by the generosity of other Christians. How do you think being raised in that environment shaped Nick’s views on wealth?
6. There is another story associated with Christmas that involves three gifts. It is the story of the Magi, or Wisemen bringing gold, frankincense, and myrrh to baby Jesus. Read or listen to Matthew 2:1-23. What do you think Mary and Joseph used the gifts for?
7. Joseph and Mary did not have very much money at all. Yet they had to move to another country where they knew nobody and had no jobs at all. Mary and Joseph would have had to to use the 3 gifts simply to be able to get to Egypt and survive there with Jesus for at least 2 years. What does Santa’s story of the 3 bags of gold have in common with the story of the gifts of the Magi (wise men)?
8. Read Matthew 25:34-40. When Jesus talks about the ‘least of these’, he wasn’t just talking about hypothetical people. He literally was one of the least of these who the Magi provided for. How does that change your view of what Christmas presents?
9. SKINNYSANTA has 3 challenges: 1) Share Skinny (Share the story of SKINNYSANTAwith your friends and family; 2) Go Skinny (slim down the amount of gifts that you give for each other so you can help out a child in need; 3) Live Skinny (change the way you live on an ongoing basis so you can permanently help a child in need through ways such as mentoring a child, child sponsorship, or even adoption or foster care. Of these 3 challenges, which one jumps out the most to you?
10. The SKINNYSANTA videos will be shared each week at http://www.skinnysanta.org. How can you incorporate these videos into a regular devotional time with your family?
11. What are your fears about going skinny on gifts for each other so that you can help a child in need? If you and your family took this challenge, do you think you would regret it later or be glad that you did it?
12. Have you ever considered how you could help a child in need on an ongoing basis? How would you need to “Live Skinny” in order to do so? How specifically would that affect you in the areas of time and money?
13. Christmas is the new Easter in terms of church attendance. Something creative like SKINNYSANTA can be useful in encouraging someone who is not in church to come to church with you. Who can you invite next week to be a part of the SKINNYSANTAchallenge?