John 1: 19-34 - A Voice in the Wilderness - Devo

 Week of December 26th, 2021

Sunday after Christmas Day

Scripture for Reflection: John 1: 19-34

Questions for Journaling and Reflection:

Take time to write down your answers or to create something that represents what you are pondering around each of these questions this week.

How was your celebration of Christmas focused on Christ?

What are some of the fears you have about sharing the love of Christ with the world?

How are you like John, a voice crying out for the Lord?

How does your life point to the greatness of Christ?

Spiritual Practices for this week

Adapted from Traci Smith’s Faithful Families: For Advent and Christmas. Saint Louis: Chalice Press, 2020. 

Challenge your family to do something special together for each of the twelve days of the Christmas season. 

Chalk your door. To chalk a door simply write the first two numbers of the year and the the letters C, M, and B. At the end write the last two letters of the year.

20+C+M+B+21

The letters represent the traditional names of the three magi who visited Jesus, but they are also the first three letters of the phrase Christus mansion benedicat, “May God bless this house”

Get a box or jar and fill it with memories from the year. Then on the next New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day take time to share these memories with one another.

Write a thank you note to someone who shared the love of Christ with you this year. 

Sabbath. Study. Serve.

 Sabbath, Study, Serve 

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: John 1: 19-34

From the Sermon:

Christ did not come just as nice thing - no, Christ came to _________________.

Chiefly the Levites want to know: _________________?

John said that he was: _________________________________________.

John knew ___________________ and _______________________.

John the Baptist stood their answering the questions of the religious leaders with a sense of humility and in a way that was completely opposed to the “____________” culture of his time and ours.

Reflection Questions:

How do you describe yourselves when you are asked, “who are you?”

Where do you recognize glimpses of God’s glory in your life?

How do you tell the story of Jesus changing your life?

Prayer:

Lord, free me from my fears in order to be a voice crying out for you. Guide me and use me, for the sake of your Kingdom. Amen. 

Advent 4 Devo - Love - John 1: 1-18

 Week of December 19th, 2021

Advent 5

Love

Scripture for Reflection: John 1: 1-18

Questions for Journaling and Reflection:

Take time to write down your answers or to create something that represents what you are pondering around each of these questions this week.

How is the fruit of the spirit of love  evident in your life?

What is the invitation for you this day found in John 1: 1-18?

How do you feel called to share the love of Christ with others this week?

Spiritual Practices for this week

Adapted from Traci Smith’s Faithful Families: For Advent and Christmas. Saint Louis: Chalice Press, 2020. 

Write down the different names for Jesus and hang them around your home. 

Think of something kind to do this day to share the love of Christ.

Write a thank you to someone who shared with you the love of Jesus. 

Sabbath. Study. Serve.

 Sabbath, Study, Serve 

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: John 1:1-18

From the Sermon:

_______________ - God with us.

John reminds of us of God _____________.

Christ is described as the logos - the _________________.

Christ alone is _______________.

Often as the church we do a much better job telling the story of the ___________ instead of the light. 

Let us offer the ________ of the True Light with others this season. 

Reflection Questions:

How do you respond when people do not listen to what you share about the love of Christ?

How do you share the Light of Christ with the world?

Prayer:

Lord, let us through both our words and actions this week, shine for the light of your love. For you came as the True Light into the world. Let us know shine forth that True Light to others. Amen. 

Advent 3 - Joy - Isaiah 55:1-13 Devo

 Week of December 12th, 2021

Advent 3

Joy

Scripture for Reflection: Isaiah 55:1-13

Questions for Journaling and Reflection:

Take time to write down your answers or to create something that represents what you are pondering around each of these questions this week.

How is the fruit of the spirit of joy evident in your life?

How does the season of Advent invite you into the joy of Christ?

Where are places where you can share joy with those in your life this week?

Spiritual Practices for this week

Adapted from Traci Smith’s Faithful Families: For Advent and Christmas. Saint Louis: Chalice Press, 2020. 

As you prepare your Christmas cards, pray for each person.

Prepare hot chocolate. As you wait for the mugs to cool, talk about the things that you are thankful for today. 

Consider what gift you can give to Christ this season. Dedicate whatever you offer to the glory of God.

Choose a charity to support throughout the year with your change and your prayers. 

Sabbath. Study. Serve.

 Sabbath, Study, Serve 

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: Isaiah 55:1-13

From the Sermon:

The people of Israel had lost their sense of ________________.

God commanded God’s very self to ___________ his people.

God is doing a ________________.

_______ is not dependent upon circumstances.

We call each other to come and remember as the people of God that ____________________ because we are being held captive by the world around us.

when we run from one thing to the next looking for satisfaction, looking for truth, looking for meaning, looking only for the joy of this world - we will never ________________________.

Reflection Questions:

How do you feel called to be joyful in your life?

How do you prepare for God’s purpose for you?

Prayer:

Lord, forgive us for the ways we have not lived as a people of joy. Let we find joy, not in the circumstances around us that change, but in your faithfulness, this Advent season. Amen. 

Advent 2 Devotional - Peace - Ezekiel 37:1-14

 Week of December 5th, 2021

Advent 2

Peace

Scripture for Reflection: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Questions for Journaling and Reflection:

Take time to write down your answers or to create something that represents what you are pondering around each of these questions this week.

What is hope?

How does the season of Advent invite you into peace?

What peace do you see our World being in need of?

What peace do you need in your own heart and life?

What peace does our Lord and Savior offer to you during this season? 

Spiritual Practices for this week

Adapted from Traci Smith’s Faithful Families: For Advent and Christmas. Saint Louis: Chalice Press, 2020. 

Set up a nativity in your home. Spend time each day with one particular figure - where is their story in scripture? What was their role in the birth of Jesus? Where would you be in the nativity scene?

Set up luminaries outside of your home using white paper bags and battery operated candles. How are we to share the light of Christ with the world this week?

Put an angel or star on top of your Christmas tree. What do these symbols represent in the story of Christ’s brith? What does their message offer for our lives here and now today? 

Sabbath. Study. Serve.

 Sabbath, Study, Serve 

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: Ezekiel 37:1-14

From the Sermon:

The Advent wreath is a symbol of the eternity of God and his ____________________.

The candles themselves tell the story of Christ being the ___________________________.

_____________ was called while he lived in exile himself.

In to this desperate situation walks the prophet Ezekiel - telling them that he had a message from the Lord that he had __________, one that was as sweet as honey.

The _____________ that Ezekiel is speaking of and to are still in our lies today.

We are surrounded by people who need ______________________- who need to come to know the love and hope of Jesus Christ in their lives.

Reflection Questions:

What are we willing to risk to share the peace of Christ with the world?

What are we willing to risk to share the love of God that changed our lives?

How are the hope and peace of Christ connected in your life?

Prayer:

Lord, help us soak in your hope and peace this season, not just for ourselves, but for the sake of those you send us to in the world. Amen.