What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Small Group Study Guide
Series: The Gift Exchange
Week: What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Message by: Pastor Scott McKinney
1. Opening Prayer & Icebreaker
Announcements can change everything — from “We’re having a baby” to “We bought a building.”
Share a time when you heard an announcement that changed your plans, your direction, or your emotions.
Opening Prayer:
Invite God to open your hearts to the ways He is speaking, leading, and announcing “new things” today. Pray for faith to respond with faith rather than fear.
2. Message Summary
Pastor Scott reshared the exciting news that CenterPoint has officially purchased the building for the future Payson campus — another unmistakable “Only God” moment. He reflected on past miracles in the life of the church, including how God provided financially, practically, and unexpectedly when building past facilities. The story shows that God moves when His people willingly sacrifice, link arms, and trust Him.
Pastor Scott then connected this announcement to the Christmas story — a story filled with God interrupting people’s lives with big new things that brought both excitement and real fear.
Zechariah, old and settled into his rhythms, is terrified when an angel tells him he will have a son — John the Baptist. His routine life will be disrupted by God’s plan.
Mary, young, faithful, and engaged, is told she will miraculously carry the Messiah. Her entire future with Joseph seems threatened. She is “greatly troubled,” and rightfully so.
Joseph, a Tsadiq — a righteous man with a reputation to maintain — learns that Mary is pregnant. He initially plans to separate quietly to preserve his status, but an angel appears and says, “Do not be afraid to take Mary home.”
Each person has the same human reaction: fear when God announces something new.
Each also faces a crossroads: Trust God, lose control, and risk the opinions of others
OR Cling to comfort, familiarity, and reputation.
Joseph models faithful obedience. He wakes up, believes God, and steps into a future that costs him his comfort and his social standing — but aligns him with God’s redemptive plan.
Pastor Scott’s point:
Whenever God is doing something new — in a church or in our lives — the right response is faith, even when fear is present.
God still calls His people to courage, sacrifice, partnership, and trust as He expands His kingdom.
3. Scripture Readings
Read together:
Luke 1:26–38 — Announcement to Mary
Matthew 1:18–25 — Announcement to Joseph
Isaiah 43:18–19 — “See, I am doing a new thing…”
4. Discussion Questions
Understanding the Message
Pastor Scott described CenterPoint’s building opportunities as “Only God moments.”
What qualifies something in your life as an “Only God moment”?
Why do you think announcements from God often create fear first?
What does the Christmas story show about this pattern?
Joseph’s Story
Joseph’s identity as a Tsadiq shaped his initial plan.
How does your identity, image, or reputation shape your decisions more than you want to admit?
Pastor Scott mentioned that when we admit our fears, God gives us faith. Have you ever experienced this in your life?
Joseph risks being misunderstood and rejected to follow God.
Have you ever had to choose between pleasing people and obeying God? What happened?
Although Mary and Joseph were alone with Jesus in that stable, they weren’t alone for long. Pastor Scott acknowledged that when we are willing to stand alone for Jesus, it won’t be long before we are no longer alone. How does this look in our lives? Have you ever experienced this?
Pastor Scott said, “We get to do this.”
How does participating in God’s work deepen your faith and sense of purpose?
What new thing might God be announcing in your life or family right now?
What’s your biggest fear related to it?
What step of obedience — like Joseph waking up and acting — do you sense God inviting you to take?
5. Spiritual Practice of the Week
“Fear & Faith Inventory”
Each day, pray through these two questions:
Where am I feeling fear today?
What step of faith can I take in that exact area?
End by saying Mary’s words aloud:
“I am the Lord’s servant. May Your word to me be fulfilled.”
6. Prayer Time
Pray for:
The Payson campus, leaders, and future people who will meet Jesus there.
Courage to step into God’s new things personally and as a church.
Hearts to respond in faith like Mary, Joseph, and Zechariah.
Series: The Gift Exchange
Week: What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Message by: Pastor Scott McKinney
1. Opening Prayer & Icebreaker
Announcements can change everything — from “We’re having a baby” to “We bought a building.”
Share a time when you heard an announcement that changed your plans, your direction, or your emotions.
Opening Prayer:
Invite God to open your hearts to the ways He is speaking, leading, and announcing “new things” today. Pray for faith to respond with faith rather than fear.
2. Message Summary
Pastor Scott reshared the exciting news that CenterPoint has officially purchased the building for the future Payson campus — another unmistakable “Only God” moment. He reflected on past miracles in the life of the church, including how God provided financially, practically, and unexpectedly when building past facilities. The story shows that God moves when His people willingly sacrifice, link arms, and trust Him.
Pastor Scott then connected this announcement to the Christmas story — a story filled with God interrupting people’s lives with big new things that brought both excitement and real fear.
Zechariah, old and settled into his rhythms, is terrified when an angel tells him he will have a son — John the Baptist. His routine life will be disrupted by God’s plan.
Mary, young, faithful, and engaged, is told she will miraculously carry the Messiah. Her entire future with Joseph seems threatened. She is “greatly troubled,” and rightfully so.
Joseph, a Tsadiq — a righteous man with a reputation to maintain — learns that Mary is pregnant. He initially plans to separate quietly to preserve his status, but an angel appears and says, “Do not be afraid to take Mary home.”
Each person has the same human reaction: fear when God announces something new.
Each also faces a crossroads: Trust God, lose control, and risk the opinions of others
OR Cling to comfort, familiarity, and reputation.
Joseph models faithful obedience. He wakes up, believes God, and steps into a future that costs him his comfort and his social standing — but aligns him with God’s redemptive plan.
Pastor Scott’s point:
Whenever God is doing something new — in a church or in our lives — the right response is faith, even when fear is present.
God still calls His people to courage, sacrifice, partnership, and trust as He expands His kingdom.
3. Scripture Readings
Read together:
Luke 1:26–38 — Announcement to Mary
Matthew 1:18–25 — Announcement to Joseph
Isaiah 43:18–19 — “See, I am doing a new thing…”
4. Discussion Questions
Understanding the Message
Pastor Scott described CenterPoint’s building opportunities as “Only God moments.”
What qualifies something in your life as an “Only God moment”?
Why do you think announcements from God often create fear first?
What does the Christmas story show about this pattern?
Joseph’s Story
Joseph’s identity as a Tsadiq shaped his initial plan.
How does your identity, image, or reputation shape your decisions more than you want to admit?
Pastor Scott mentioned that when we admit our fears, God gives us faith. Have you ever experienced this in your life?
Joseph risks being misunderstood and rejected to follow God.
Have you ever had to choose between pleasing people and obeying God? What happened?
Although Mary and Joseph were alone with Jesus in that stable, they weren’t alone for long. Pastor Scott acknowledged that when we are willing to stand alone for Jesus, it won’t be long before we are no longer alone. How does this look in our lives? Have you ever experienced this?
Pastor Scott said, “We get to do this.”
How does participating in God’s work deepen your faith and sense of purpose?
What new thing might God be announcing in your life or family right now?
What’s your biggest fear related to it?
What step of obedience — like Joseph waking up and acting — do you sense God inviting you to take?
5. Spiritual Practice of the Week
“Fear & Faith Inventory”
Each day, pray through these two questions:
Where am I feeling fear today?
What step of faith can I take in that exact area?
End by saying Mary’s words aloud:
“I am the Lord’s servant. May Your word to me be fulfilled.”
6. Prayer Time
Pray for:
The Payson campus, leaders, and future people who will meet Jesus there.
Courage to step into God’s new things personally and as a church.
Hearts to respond in faith like Mary, Joseph, and Zechariah.