December 9

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Brian talked about Advent as a season of getting ready.  

If you missed it, you can view the sermon here.

Here are some reflection questions to help you think about what it means to get ready for Jesus to show up in our world and in our lives.

1. If you knew an important guest was coming to your home, what’s the first thing you would do to prepare? Why?
2. In the sermon, Pastor Brian talked about Luke 3:1-8 and how John the Baptist called people to get ready for Jesus. In this passage of Scripture, what specific instructions does John give to the people about how they should prepare themselves for Jesus to show up?
3. John the Baptist calls people to “change their hearts and lives” (Luke 3:8). In what areas of your life do you feel God might be calling you to change your life? How might God be calling you to turn towards mercy, justice, and love?
4. During Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Brian asked, “Can anyone tell, by looking at our lives, that we belong to Jesus?” How would you answer this for yourself? How does your life reflect your love for Jesus (and for the people who Jesus loves)?

Here are some action steps you might take this week to help put what we heard in Sunday’s sermon into action in your life:

The sermon mentions that Jesus spends time with “the weak and lowly, the hungry and the hurting, the oppressed and excluded.” Identify someone in your community who might fit this description and find a way to show them Christ’s love this week.

This week, choose one practical way to “prepare the way for the Lord” in your life. This could be sharing with someone in need, practicing forgiveness, or setting aside time for prayer and reflection.