Adult
• 5 Sessions of Learner’s Materials
• 5 Sessions of Teaching Materials
• 6 Handouts
1. Mark 13:24-37
2. Mark 1:1-8
3. John 1:6-8, 19-28
4. Luke 1:26-38
5. Luke 2:22-40
In this unit, we visit the manger. If we have ears to hear, the advent characters—John, Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph, Anna and Simeon—can challenge us to experience the good news of Christ’s birth once again. Advent is observed as a season of preparation. Allow yourself to hear the good news. Then share with someone else what you have heard. Tell someone what you have experienced.
Session One: In the midst of this sometimes confusing mix of thoughts and feelings, the focus of the first Sunday of Advent can be especially reassuring. God has indeed promised that there will be a time for the Second Advent of Christ. Yet Christians must remember that the exact moment when this event will occur has never been announced. The responsibility of those who await the return of the Messiah is not to be caught up in fruitless, idle speculation. Rather, the way to await Christ’s return is to be vigilant and expectant, knowing that just as God’s promise of hope was fulfilled in the first Advent, we can, likewise, depend on God’s promise of Christ’s return.
Session Two: We do need time to ready ourselves, to prepare both emotionally and spiritually to receive the presence of Christ. We need to let God prepare us for this unique revelation of divine presence. These days before Christmas should be a time of reflection and repentance. This second week of Advent prods us toward smoothing the way, removing the clutter, and making room for the birth of the Messiah. That is how we “make the paths straight” for Jesus to enter our Christmas.
Session Three: Part of the message of Advent is that the good news of God breaks into our world. Our carols proclaim the celebration of this great joy that has come. Anticipation increases with the lighting of each candle on the Advent wreath and each reading from Scripture. It is clear to most people that something very special is happening. However, for some, this increasing excitement causes more confusion than understanding. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the season, many people "tune out," or become deaf to the message God is offering.
Session Four: There are always people who go to extraordinary measures to care for those less fortunate—sometimes barely less fortunate. Just recently, it was reported that a blue-collar worker—well past the age of retirement (and still working!)—had given over a million dollars to help others. People who understand servanthood are still among us. We just have to look a bit closer to see them. In our lesson today, Mary the mother of Jesus is our example of a model servant.
Session Five: "Can God really deliver?" The biblical story answers with a resounding "Yes!" Our God is the one who creates new possibilities, delivering us from the depths of life’s harshest realities. Like children who expect everything on Christmas morning, we must learn to rework our expectations. Just because we were told we need it (whatever "it" may be) and want it doesn’t necessarily make it so. The God who loves us and has given everything for us will provide in the best and most important ways possible.
by Tom Allen and Randy Gardner
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