10 factors in achieving your destiny!
(God's will in the Inn Keeper's life)
          Luke 2:4  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  5  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  6  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,  7  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
          *pass out worksheets and pencils to each student.  Give them time to fill the worksheet out and then draw them back for discussion.  Allow them to share their thoughts on the worksheet.  Use the factors and thoughts below to guide discussion.  Use factors to point out facts that we must face as we seek to live for Christ.
10 factors and thoughts: 
1 - things aren't always what they seem,  - we think of "inns" like we think of hotels, the Inn at Bethleham was probably more like a homeless shelter than a hotel.  Those inns were notorious for crime and crowdedness.  The thought of a manger may have been better than the thought of one of those Inns.  Many times when we are trying to live for God we judge people and situation quickly and based on limited knowledge.  Be patient get all the info and make your best decisions after that.
2 - secular possession can have spiritual importance,  - what do you think the Inn Keeper would have thought if some preacher guy came up to him and said, "hey there, you see that manger right there, God gave it to you for a purpose, you need to pay attention, some day God will use it to do something spiritually amazing!"  I think we a short sighted about who we are, our gifts, abilities, talents, and possessions are not given to us randomly and by accident.  Everything we are and everything we have has been given to us by God to serve Him.  So pay attention, and be purposeful on using it all to serve your Lord!
3 - some times tough times are exactly the way God wants things to be, - our first thoughts when our life gets tough is "I must not be in God's will"  but that's not necessarily true.  Joseph and Mary were going through tough times, but they were exactly where God wanted them.  It's not always easy to follow God but it is always worth it!
4 - doing the best you can with what you have, - take a lesson from the Inn Keeper.  He didn't have limitless recourses or a 5-star hotel, but he took what he had and offered it.  So many times we don't offer God what we have.  We keep it for ourselves and we use it simply to make us happy.  What a waste.
5 - not giving up when things aren't "perfect" - it would have been so easy for the Inn Keeper to say "I don't have anything for you"  but he didn't give up.  He made sure to examine every possibility even unlikely ones.  Too many times we spend too much time worrying about what we can't do for God when we should be focusing on what we CAN do for God.
6 - the importance of being in the right place at the right time - I'm sure Joseph and Mary would have rather been a million other places than a stable in Bethlehem.  But if they weren't there then they would have failed to fulfill many prophecies.  These prophecies confirmed that Jesus was the Messiah, many people would have never had recognized Jesus and would have never been saved, if Joseph and Mary weren't at the right place at the right time.  Not to mention the shepherds and the wise men would have found an empty stable and an empty house if the young couple would have not been at the right place.  Sometime we underestimate the value of "being there!"  Being at the right place at the right time is huge!  Skipping or missing church can have long lasting repercussions.  Skipping or missing opportunities to help someone in the name of Christ could have long lasting repercussion.  I know we can't be perfect, but that not the point.  The point is to recognize the importance of BEING THERE and doing your best with the guidance of God to be at the right place at the right time.
7 - you don't always get "props" for doing as you should - I feel bad for the Inn Keeper, so many Christmas plays makes him out to be the bad guy.  When actually he probably offered what was best for a young mother giving birth.  The manger would have been safer and would have had more privacy.  Many time when we do our best for Christ we will hear complaints and criticisms.  That's ok, keep doing what is right.  Don't get discouraged.  And do obey God simply for the praise and credit, cause you will quit real quick.  Do the right thing for the right reason and you will do well for a long time!
8 - what you're looking for isn't always what God want's you to have - I'm sure Joseph asked for room in the Inn and not for a stable.  But that wasn't the best choice, it wasn't God's choice.  Fortunately Joseph ended up right where he belonged.  In our lives we see so many things we want to have, so many places we want to be, so many people we want to be close with...  but don't get attached to those ideas.  Live an open life ready and willing to do something new, different and unexpected.  Cause many times that is exactly where God will lead you.
9 - when serving God, sacrifices many times leads to blessings - who would have thought that a story of paying taxes and sleeping in a manger would lead to visits from kings and gifts of gold and other expensive items.  We avoid obeying God so many times because it requires SACRIFICE but when we avoid the sacrifice we also surrender the blessing!  And now a days that blessing could mean the difference between Heaven and Hell for a friend or loved one.
10 - creativity can be the difference between achieving for God and failing to do anything. - who would have thought of sending a pregnant woman to a manger???  But it was a great call, it was the right call!!!  Don't ever let your ministry and service to God "stay inside the box."  Be willing to do weird and unheard of things to serve God.  Stay faithful to the TRUTH but allow the method to being anything, anywhere, at anytime!  Creativity is the gift God uses the most to do the things people said can't be done!