Draw your attentions and affections toward Christ during the Advent season with the FBG "Christmas Gives" Advent Guide.
As we focus on the fulfilled promise of His first arrival, we are faithful to hope in the promise of His return.
This Advent, prepare your hearts to celebrate our Savior by considering all that Christmas Gives.
A simple and uncomplicated guide for you, your small group, and your family.
If you received an Advent candle bundle, we recommend you place the candles in a small bowl or cup with sugar or sand in the bottom to hold the candles. You'll light the candle to let it burn during your Advent Moment, then extinguish it so you can light it again the next week.
If you did not get an Advent candle bundle, grab four candles of any color plus one white candle.
Questions designed for all ages and stages of faith.
Agape love is not primarily a feeling that happens to people. This kind of love is a choice to act in ways that offer well-being to others. Using Paul’s definition of love from 1 Corinthians 13:1-7, consider how Jesus loves us. How is Jesus patient, kind, humble, and selfless toward us? How does this kind of love challenge more popular, modern notions?
Jesus says that the ultimate standard of authentic love is how well you treat the person you can’t stand—your enemy. Let that settle in as you read Luke 6:27-36. Notice how God shows kindness to ungrateful, dishonest, and violent people. What does this say about God’s character? Consider how verse 36 describes God. How do you think love and mercy relate to one another?
Prepare your heart for Christmas by listening to the FBG Advent Scripture Playlist on
Questions for you, your family, or your small group.
God displays his love by fulfilling His promise to redeem those who believe in Jesus Christ. When Zacharias could speak again, how much excitement do you think he felt? How much love do you think he felt for his son? If you are a parent, share with your children the love you felt when they were born, some of the things you talked about when they were born, some of the dreams you felt for them when they were born.
How can we know that God loves us? God has made so many promises and all of them are experienced in trusting in Jesus Christ. What promises help you understand God’s love the most?
God didn’t just make the promises, but God also declared that his promises were fulfilled so that we might believe in Him. How has knowing that God loves you and wants you to know Him changed your life?
The story continues and you play a part in God’s plan. If you believe in Jesus, God will lovingly redeem you and forgive you of your sins. If you have experienced his love, then you can take part in the continuing story by declaring God’s love to others. Discuss a few ways that you (and your family if applicable) can share the love of God with others this Christmas.
Sometimes the Christmas songs we’ve repeated for so long contain hidden treasures in the lyrics upon closer examination. Consider the lyrics to this popular Christmas song.
Enjoy the FBG Advent playlist on Spotify (below) this week to guide your heart and mind toward focusing on the return of Christ and the hope it gives.
Questions designed for all ages and stages of faith.
We heard in the video that "Christian joy is a profound decision of hope and faith in Jesus' own life and love". Do you see that statement play out in your own life? If so, give an example.
Prepare your heart for Christmas by listening to the FBG Advent Scripture Playlist on
Questions for you, your family, or your small group.
Sometimes the Christmas songs we’ve repeated for so long contain hidden treasures in the lyrics upon closer examination. Consider the lyrics to this popular Christmas song.
Enjoy the FBG Advent playlist on Spotify (below) this week to guide your heart and mind toward focusing on the return of Christ and the hope it gives.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Questions designed for all ages and stages of faith.
Prepare your heart for Christmas by listening to the FBG Advent Scripture Playlist on
Questions for you, your family, or your small group.
Peace is a person more than it is a condition. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. What worries have ceased in your life because of God’s peace through faith in Jesus Christ?
Mary and Joseph had every reason to feel absolutely no peace in their circumstances. But God made promises to Mary and Joseph, he told them things that provided them peace in the midst of their circumstances. Peace comes because of the promises and words of God. How have the promises and words of God brought peace into your life?
Tell your family the story of when you decided to trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Talk about moments when that decision has been the only reason for peace in your life.
Talk about a time when you shared the message of peace with someone else. Talk about a time when you failed to share the message. How will you be intentional this Christmas to share the message of peace?
Sometimes the Christmas songs we’ve repeated for so long contain hidden treasures in the lyrics upon closer examination. Consider the lyrics to this popular Christmas song.
Enjoy the FBG Advent playlist on Spotify (below) this week to guide your heart and mind toward focusing on the return of Christ and the hope it gives.
GREEN
RED
BLACK
GOLD
WHITE
If you received an Advent candle bundle during our Nov 27 Worship Service light your green candle. We recommend you place the candles in a small bowl or cup with sugar or sand in the bottom to hold the candles. You can let the candle burn while having your Advent moment then relight each night, focusing on the hope of Christ's return each time you relight it.
If you did not get an Advent candle bundle, find five candles to light, one each week.
Questions designed for all ages and stages of faith.
Prepare your heart for Christmas by listening to the FBG Advent Scripture Playlist on
Questions for you, your family, or your small group.
When Zechariah was chosen to burn the incense in the sanctuary it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Priests really only did this one time in their entire life. It was in the middle of this once in a lifetime opportunity that an angel appeared and spoke to him. How does this help us understand that God is in control at all times in our lives?
The son that Zechariah and Elizabeth came with a promise. He was going to make the people ready for the Lord. Do you know how John, the son of Zechariah, helped prepare the way for Jesus? (He called people to repentance.) In what way do we need to hear that message today?
Ultimately, in Luke 1:5-25, we see that God is at work at all times bringing His plan to completion. In what area of life do you need to remember that God is at work even when you don’t see it? What evidence of God do you already see in the situation that gives you hope?
© 2023 FBG. All Rights Reserved.