Advent 2024
Use these scripture passages and discussion questions to engage God’s Word together!
Week 1
HOPE
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
This is a prophecy from the book of Isaiah about the birth of Jesus! Prophecy is often given to people who need hope in difficult and dark circumstances. How do these different prophetic names for Christ bring hope to you this Christmas season? Have everyone in your group examine these names and share with one another why they bring you hope.
Wonderful counselor?
Mighty God?
Everlasting father?
Prince of Peace?
Week 2
PEACE
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Luke 2:8-15
Imagine you are one of the shepherds living with sheep through the dark of the night. As a group, described to one another why this would be such a terrifying encounter with the angels.
In verse 14, the angels sing about God's glory in heaven and God's peace on earth. Why is it important for them to highlight those two things in the announcement?
Again, imagine you were one of the shepherds. How would you feel after hearing this announcement? How would you respond to one another? What would your disposition be as you go to Bethlehem?
How does this angelic encounter with earthly reality speak peace to us today?
Week 3
LOVE
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,’ which means, God with us.
Matthew 1:21-23
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:9-11
Read and discuss the relationship between these two verses as a group. Then have each member of your group spend a few moments to come up with three "non-churchy" words to describe the love of God at Christmas. Everyone record their answers and share with the group. How did you get those answers? How do they speak to the Christmas season?
Week 4
JOY
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9
Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
Read the above verse from scripture and the verse from one of our favorite Christmas carols aloud together.
Have everyone in your group pick one line from either the scripture or chorus that is particularly meaningful this season. Share with one another which of these thoughts resonates with you and why.
Close your time together with popcorn prayers of gratitude this Christmas. (Popcorn prayer is when people spontaneously offer a sentence or two of prayer until the group winds down and everyone has shared.)