I Got A Lousy Christmas Gift

Main Point: Sometimes, people give terrible things to us, but God always gives perfect gifts. That’s the way it’s always been…and that’s the way it’s always gonna be.

Discussion Starter: Jimmy Kimmel’s Christmas Challenge
James “Jimmy” Kimmel is the host of the late night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC and is no stranger to a practical joke…played out thousands of times…in front of video cameras. He’s the TV show host that “challenges” parents to tell their kids they’ve eaten all their Halloween candy the morning after, and film their reaction.

But fair warning, Kimmel can be as vulgar as he is funny. (More on that in a moment….)

In this video clip, Kimmel backs up his Halloween magic with some Christmas pranking. He has challenged his audience to wrap up terrible gifts – really, really stupid ones – and give them to their kids a few weeks before Christmas. Of course, parents are supposed to film their kids’ reactions, then upload the videos to YouTube.

Kimmel’s production team would take it from there.

Now, about that warning. This clip is HILARIOUS (and kinda sad, too, because of all the greed). But, the last kid on the video makes a raunchy statement that you’ll need to avoid airing. You’ve got two options: you can simply end the video BEFORE he says it (at the 4:40 mark), or quickly edit the clip yourself.

We usually say something like “use your judgment” or “proceed with discretion” or something like that. But on this one, we’re just gonna tell you NOT to ignore our warning.

YouTube Video Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4a9CKgLprQ&feature=player_embedded

Transitional Statement:
OK, when you watch that clip, you probably react a lot like me: man those kids were a bunch of whiners! But, we’re all older than them, and they still think that Christmas is without a doubt the most magical day of the year. So, we’ve got to understand what a game changer it would be to pull a rotten banana or a half-eaten sandwich from a gift bag. That said, this clip makes me think about the gifts we give one another. And I can’t think about those gifts without reflecting on the gifts God gives. Let’s spend a few minutes talking about what God gives to us, at Christmas, and every other day of our lives.

Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word.

CLICK HERE for a quick training article on how to maximize your small groups using our small group format—a great resource to equip your small group leaders.

Discussion Questions:

1. AROUND THE CIRCLE: As we get started, let’s all take a second to share our name and the worst gift we ever received for Christmas.


2. ASK A FEW: Of your current family members and friends, who do you think is most likely to give you a bum gift? Why?


3. ASK A FEW: What did you think of the kids’ reactions in the video?


4. ASK A FEW: What would you think of the parents if they REALLY did give those kinds of gifts?


5. ASK A FEW: What kind of gifts do you think God gives?


6. ASK A FEW: Do you think God would ever intentionally give a person a rotten gift? Would He do so, accidentally?


7. ASK A FEW: What do you think our reaction to God’s gifts should be?

Read the following passage:

James 1:12-17 (NIV)
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.


8. ASK SOMEONE: Does God tempt us, or send temptation our way, or in any way try to make us sin? (Leaders – No! Let’s just go ahead and get that one out of the way.)


9. ASK A FEW: Where does this passage say good gifts come from?


10. ASK A FEW: Why do you think James calls God the “Father of Lights”? (Leaders – There are a couple of thoughts here, but the best one is that, unlike the stars which move and change, God is unchangeable in what He gives to us. He gives us His best, always.)


11. ASK A FEW: Before James makes his statement in verse 17, he says, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers,” in verse 16. Do you think a lot of people are deceived about the gifts God gives? Why or why not?


12. ASK A FEW: What is the best gift you’ve ever received for Christmas or your birthday, etc.?


13. ASK A FEW: How did you respond to those gifts?


14. ASK A FEW: What are some “gifts” God gets blamed for, that He’s not responsible for?


15. ASK A FEW: What are the Top 3 gifts God has given you, and how do you show Him your appreciation?


16. ASK A FEW: When an obstacle is thrown in your path – like a half-eaten sandwich – how do you usually feel toward God? Do you blame Him? Do you seek Him? Do you resent Him? Do you…?


17. AROUND THE CIRCLE: How must your attitude change about the gifts God has given you?

If you need to talk about that some more, hang around after we pray. You don’t want to miss out on this gift!

Close in Prayer

Written by David R Smith