Joseph took Mary and Jesus into Egypt because Jesus' life was threatened. They joined a Jewish community living in exile before returning home. So much of our life includes a longing for a reality that remains beyond our grasp, a longing for a place where everything fits in its place, where everything is just right--our life could be considered a life in exile. Let's follow the steps of Jesus together to find hope in our exile 1. Read Matthew 2:13-20 and imagine you are in the position of Joseph. How do you feel, what are you considering, how would you characterize your relationship with God with Mary and with the infant Jesus? 2. Matthew indicates that Jesus and his family are retracing the steps of the nation Israel by going to Egypt and returning home from Egypt. He quotes two passages supporting this claim. What do these passages teach us about the continuity between Jesus’ story, Israel’s story, humanity’s story, and our story: Hosea 11:1-2, Jeremiah 31:15-17 3. What did you hear this weekend that inspired you, challenged you, or sparked disagreement or further consideration? 4. What are some ways that you’ve experienced “living in exile” or longing for an unrealized reality or desire for something greater or different? Respond to the idea that every longing in our hearts is ultimately satisfied only in God himself. 5. Moses lived a life of continual exile, always displaced, frequently wandering. He led the nation of Israel from slavery in Egypt to claim their home in Canaan, but he was unable to enter that homeland. Somewhere along his journey he recorded Psalm 90. Read that song. What insights do you discern about finding hope in an exiled life? 6. Who could you pray for or share the hope of Jesus with? Maybe you could invite them to LifePoint or share the livestream. Write those names down and pray they find the hope that only Jesus brings.