It's easy to lose sight of the gospel during the holidays, but we must fix our eyes on him or risk putting our joy and hope in things/people in ways that cannot satisfy.

Deuteronomy 4:9, 23-24Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children—

Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of anything that the LORD your God has forbidden you. For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

• It can be very easy to forget all that God had provided to us throughout the year, just like the Israelites (see Exodus 32).
• These passages remind us not to turn God's provision into an idol.
• If you've ever felt pressure, guilt, remorse, or regret because of a gift you've either given, received, not given, or not received.
• Caveat: buying gifts isn't bad inherently. It becomes harmful when we expect things we purchase to bring the joy that only God can give.

5 Ways to Not Lose Your Mind During the Holidays 1. Guard your heart. 2. Remember what God has done (in your life, your heart, your marriage). 3. Make those things known to your children. 4. Remember the FULL message and weight of the gospel (God is utterly perfect and we are hopelessly sinful... but, Jesus!) 5. Put your full weight in the gospel. Examine and evaluate the fruit of your belief in the gospel

Today's Couples Challenge: Read Deuteronomy 4 and Exodus 32.

Discuss the following questions:

• How can you intentionally "guard our souls" during the holiday season? How can you remind each other of God's purpose (his glory, your delight in him)?
• How have you seen Christ work in your life/marriage? What "slavery" has God brought you out of in your marriage? In other words, what has God done in your past that you can consciously remember?
• If you have kids, how can you point them to Jesus during the holidays?
• How can you remind yourselves of the gospel?
• How can you better rest in the gospel this year? How can you not act in a heart orientation that is corrupt, but instead secure in Christ? What fruit of your belief in the gospel is showing or can show during this season?

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