December 21st - Small Group Guide
When You’re Weary
Small Group Study Guide
Text: Matthew 11:28–30; Luke 2:25–32
Bottom Line: Come tired — leave rested.
GROUP OPENER — WHEN TIRED BECOMES YOUR IDENTITY
Somewhere along the way, tired stopped being a season and started becoming a description. Not just physically tired—but emotionally worn thin, spiritually drained, mentally foggy. The kind of tired that sleep doesn’t fix. And then comes Christmas… More expectations. More pressure. More responsibility. And into that exhaustion, Jesus doesn’t give instructions—He gives an invitation.
- When someone asks, “How are you really doing?” what’s your most honest one-word answer right now?
- What kind of tired do you feel most often: physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental?
JESUS SEES TIRED PEOPLE — AND CALLS THEM BY NAME
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Jesus doesn’t invite the put-together. He invites the worn-out. A backpack filled with bricks eventually changes how you walk, breathe, and endure. Some loads feel “normal” only because we’ve carried them so long.
- What kinds of “bricks” do people commonly carry that others don’t always see?
- Why do you think we normalize heavy loads instead of questioning them?
- How does it change things to hear Jesus say, “You weren’t designed for this”?
YOU DON’T HAVE TO CARRY CHRISTMAS — CHRISTMAS CARRIES YOU
We treat Christmas like a performance—perfect moments, strong emotions, scheduled joy. But Christmas was never meant to be carried. Jesus didn’t come to add responsibility; He came to bring relief. A Child Asleep in the Car-The child isn’t helping drive. They’re not navigating. They’re being carried. That’s the posture Jesus invites us into.
- What pressures do you personally feel during Christmas?
- When joy doesn’t come easily, how do you usually respond—push harder, fake it, or withdraw?
- What would it look like to receive Christmas instead of managing it?
SIMEON — TIRED FROM WAITING
Luke 2:25–32
Simeon waited years—praying, hoping, wondering. Waiting wears you down slowly. But when he holds Jesus, his waiting turns into rest. “You may now dismiss your servant in peace.” That’s not quitting. That’s setting the weight down. You don’t realize how tense you were until you release what you’ve been carrying.
- What is hardest about waiting on God?
- How does Simeon’s response challenge the idea that rest only comes when everything is fixed?
- Where might God be offering peace even before answers?
JESUS DOESN’T REMOVE EVERY LOAD — HE JOINS YOU IN IT
Matthew 11:29–30
A yoke means partnership. Jesus doesn’t promise zero responsibility—He promises shared weight.He sets the pace. He doesn’t rush weary souls or shame slow faith.
- What responsibilities are truly yours—and which might you be carrying alone?
- How do you know when you’re outpacing Jesus instead of walking with Him?
- Why is slowing down sometimes harder than speeding up?
WHAT IS CRUSHING YOU — JESUS CAME TO LIFT
Isaiah 9:6
We often confuse strength with self-sufficiency. But Scripture says what feels heavy to us rests on His shoulders.
The cross proves it: What crushes us did not crush Him.
- Why is it difficult to let others—or Jesus—carry our burdens?
- What phrase best describes your default strength mode: “I’ve got this” or “I need help”?
- What would it look like to actively place something on Jesus’ shoulders this week?
CLOSING — COME TIRED, LEAVE RESTED (5 minutes)
Leader Summary:
- Come energetic
- Come confident
- Come impressive
Christmas isn’t about mustering joy. It’s about receiving grace.