A Greater Christmas: A Greater Hope
These questions are written to be used during our house church meeting in Katy on Tuesday nights and in Sugar Land on Wednesday nights. If you find yourself unable or attend a gathering this week we encourage you to use these questions at home to sink more deeply into this vision series.
Background: We are now in the season of Advent. This is a season of time that lasts for the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas Day. Advent comes from the Latin word, adventus, which means coming or arrival. During a time of year that often becomes hectic, chaotic, and busy, Advent is meant to slow us down so that we can better reflect and cultivate a heart of longing for Jesus. It is a time of anticipation and waiting as we look back to the first advent, of Jesus in his birth, and look forward to his second advent where he returns. As we walk through these 4 weeks, take time to slow down and think about the meaning of Christmas that is made even greater when experienced through the preparation of Advent.
Icebreaker: What is an event, day, or experience that you had to eagerly wait for? What made the waiting exciting and difficult?
Read and Reflect: Read Luke 3:15-22
Take a moment to get your bearings; look at the surrounding stories by reading the subtitles around this week’s passage. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification or definitions for new words and ideas. Listening to other translations of the Bible can both clarify and enrich the meanings of these readings.
Discussion:
1. Who does John the Baptist say the people have been waiting for?
2. How does John's announcement about Jesus build anticipation for his arrival?
3. How does Jesus bring people hope?
4. How would this kind of hope in Jesus impact your life?
Go Deeper:
5. In the Bible, hope is not optimism based on the odds of the universe, it is a choice to wait on God to fulfill what he has promised. How does this understanding of hope differ that what we may hope for in our daily lives?
Prayer:
Pray for the families in your house church and the people on your Top Five cards.
Announcements:
Join us for worship this Sunday as our bishop, Bishop Clark Lowenfield, will be worshipping with us!
*Mark your calendars*Sign-up for our Ministry Safe Training Day where all people will be trained in abuse prevention. Sunday, December, 11 right after Sunday worship. Lunch and childcare are provided. https://subspla.sh/vswkmwr/
*Mark your calendars* All women are invited for brunch and a gift exchange at the Henson's home. Bring your favorite thing, gift-wrapped, for the exchange. The gift should cost no more than $10. https://subspla.sh/8j5ng4n/
During the 4 weeks of Advent, we are joining with our ministry partners at @living_water to help provide water for a community in Guatemala. Our goal is to raise $10,000 by Christmas Day!! Go to our website, gatheringrichmond.org/giving and select “Ministry Partner” from the drop down to join us in sharing of God’s love by providing safe water for an entire community.
Explore the new app! It has great features! Just look up The Gathering Church wherever you get your apps and log in using the side menu so that we have your most current information!
Background: We are now in the season of Advent. This is a season of time that lasts for the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas Day. Advent comes from the Latin word, adventus, which means coming or arrival. During a time of year that often becomes hectic, chaotic, and busy, Advent is meant to slow us down so that we can better reflect and cultivate a heart of longing for Jesus. It is a time of anticipation and waiting as we look back to the first advent, of Jesus in his birth, and look forward to his second advent where he returns. As we walk through these 4 weeks, take time to slow down and think about the meaning of Christmas that is made even greater when experienced through the preparation of Advent.
Icebreaker: What is an event, day, or experience that you had to eagerly wait for? What made the waiting exciting and difficult?
Read and Reflect: Read Luke 3:15-22
Take a moment to get your bearings; look at the surrounding stories by reading the subtitles around this week’s passage. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification or definitions for new words and ideas. Listening to other translations of the Bible can both clarify and enrich the meanings of these readings.
Discussion:
1. Who does John the Baptist say the people have been waiting for?
2. How does John's announcement about Jesus build anticipation for his arrival?
3. How does Jesus bring people hope?
4. How would this kind of hope in Jesus impact your life?
Go Deeper:
5. In the Bible, hope is not optimism based on the odds of the universe, it is a choice to wait on God to fulfill what he has promised. How does this understanding of hope differ that what we may hope for in our daily lives?
Prayer:
Pray for the families in your house church and the people on your Top Five cards.
Announcements:
Join us for worship this Sunday as our bishop, Bishop Clark Lowenfield, will be worshipping with us!
*Mark your calendars*Sign-up for our Ministry Safe Training Day where all people will be trained in abuse prevention. Sunday, December, 11 right after Sunday worship. Lunch and childcare are provided. https://subspla.sh/vswkmwr/
*Mark your calendars* All women are invited for brunch and a gift exchange at the Henson's home. Bring your favorite thing, gift-wrapped, for the exchange. The gift should cost no more than $10. https://subspla.sh/8j5ng4n/
During the 4 weeks of Advent, we are joining with our ministry partners at @living_water to help provide water for a community in Guatemala. Our goal is to raise $10,000 by Christmas Day!! Go to our website, gatheringrichmond.org/giving and select “Ministry Partner” from the drop down to join us in sharing of God’s love by providing safe water for an entire community.
Explore the new app! It has great features! Just look up The Gathering Church wherever you get your apps and log in using the side menu so that we have your most current information!
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