“Advent is a season observed in many Christian churches at a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and the return of Jesus at the Second Coming.”  –(Wikipedia)

What ways do you celebrate looking backwards or forwards to the coming of Christ, either at His birth or at His second coming?  Or are there no ways because the Christmas season is so busy for you?

ENGAGE
Read the following scriptures: Genesis 3:15, Deuteronomy 18:15, 2 Samuel 7:12,16, Isaiah 7:14, and Isaiah 9:6-7.  
Discuss the fulfillment of these prophecies at Christ’s first coming.
Discuss the length of time it took for these prophecies to be fulfilled 

Read the following scriptures: Philippians 2:10, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:4.  What are you looking forward to when Christ returns?  Read 2 Peter 3:8. Discuss the length of time that has occurred since these promises were written.

APPLY
Read Galatians 4:4-7: In celebrating Advent and in the waiting for Christ’s return, what can you bring before Your Abba Father of where you need healing or growth or understanding of your difficult circumstances?

Where can you express the love of Christ this Christmas season?

PRAY
Pray that the Lord would set aside time this season to spend time with Him, celebrating His first coming and looking forward to His second coming.

ENGAGE
Read Galatians 4:3-9. How was this the perfect “fullness of time” in history for Christ to arrive as a newborn babe?  Contrast the freedom received through accepting and walking with  Christ versus being held in slavery to both the Law and the elemental things of this world. Discuss the privilege of calling God “Abba, Father.” 

Read Isaiah 12:3-5.  What should our response be to this salvation in Christ?

Read Revelation 12:1-5, 12:13-17. Discuss the epic spiritual battle of Christ’s birth here on earth.

APPLY
Read John 3:14-16. Where do you fill up your life with other things at Christmas and not take seriously the spiritual battle going on during this season?
Read James 5:16.  What weaknesses, addictions, sins, shame, or shortcomings do you need to confess and bring to God this season? 

PRAY
Pray for one another to allow the Lord to dig deep into our souls and redeem those areas of life that we have not turned over to Him.

ENGAGE
Read Genesis 37.  What was Judah’s role in selling his brother, Joseph, into slavery? 
Read Genesis 38.  Summarize Judah’s life after selling his brother, Joseph into slavery. (To understand “Levirate Marriage” in the Old Testament, read Deuteronomy 25:5-10.)
Read Genesis 37:31-32 then Genesis 38: 25.  The word “recognize” or “examine” is the exact same Hebrew word in both verses.  Discuss how Judah reaped what he sowed in his life.

APPLY
Read Genesis 37:26,  Matthew 7:1-5, and Romans 2:1.   What was Judah’s response to Tamar’s evidence?  This is the first breakthrough to Judah’s redemption. What has God used or is using in your life to breakthrough to you?

Read Hebrews 4:12.  Studying the Bible, the people and their stories,  is to bring about character change in your life.  What time are you setting aside to let the Word of God penetrate and change your life?

PRAY
God’s grace is evident in the lineage of Christ listed in Matthew 1. Pray for God’s grace to penetrate your life and that of your family’s lives during this Christmas season to bring about lasting fruit for His kingdom.