Bible Study – Fourth Sunday of Advent “A Child Will Be Born”
Share: Your highs (something that made you happy) and lows (something that made you sad) this week with others around you or write them down.
Advent begins with darkness. In the days of the prophets, the Israelites looked to God for hope and promise. The prophets began to speak of the hope and light that would be coming to the people of God. Today we continue to share the stories of the prophets to remind us that we have been given this hope and light through the birth of Jesus Christ. During this time in the calendar year our days are getting shorter, and we wait for the light of Christ to shatter this darkness. In Advent we are encouraged to stop and listen and hear what the prophets are saying.
Advent Wreath: the first Sunday of Advent the candle is called the “HOPE” candle (also called the Prophecy candle), a symbol of the prophecy where Isaiah tells of the birth of Christ and all of the promises God gave us in the Old Testament that would be fulfilled by the birth of Jesus.
The second Sunday candle which represents “PEACE” (also called the Bethlehem candle). We reflect on our lives and focus on becoming better versions of ourselves in preparation for Jesus coming. We remember the journey Joseph and Mary took from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
The third Sunday in Advent the candle is often represented by the color rose or pink. It is called Gaudete Sunday which in Latin is rejoice. The candle of Joy. Jesus came to bring us joy. He will come again to take us to a place of everlasting joy.
The fourth Sunday in Advent candle represents “LOVE” (also called the Angel candle). It focuses on God’s boundless love shown by sending Jesus, an act of selfless love to redeem the world. God is calling us to share that love with others as Christmas nears.
Some wondering questions –
We are now at the end of the season of waiting and listening, the season of Advent.
- How difficult has it been to wait?
- What has been the hardest thing to wait for?
- What has been the easiest thing to wait for?
Opening Prayer: Light all of the candles on your Advent wreath. Use your strand of prayer beads that you made three Sunday ago for our opening pray. (If you don’t have prayer beads, the instruction to make them are located under Activities, Option 1, in the First Advent Sunday “Come Let Us Walk in the Light)
- At the cross – say, “Let us pray.”
- For the Invitational beads – say, “Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
- For the first Cruciform bead – say something you have to wait for.
- For the first seven beads – repeat the line “Help us to wait, Lord.”
- When you reach the second Cruciform bead – say something you want help for.
- For the second seven beads – repeat the line “Guide us, Lord.”
- When you reach the third Cruciform bead – say something you want to pray for.
- For the third seven beads – repeat the line “Be with us, Lord.”
- When you reach the fourth Cruciform bead – say something you have to wait for.
- For the fourth seven beads – repeat the line “Help us to wait, Lord.”
- When you reach the first Cruciform bead again – say the Lord’s Prayer, ending with Amen.
In the Bible we hear stories from special people called prophets, they said things to many people for God. One of the prophets was Isaiah, he wanted people to know more about God, and begin to tell people about what would happen.
Please open your Bibles to Isaiah 7:10-16 and read or read the scriptures below.
Isaiah 7:10-16
10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”
12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”
13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you[a] a sign: The virgin[b] will conceive and give birth to a son, and[c] will call him Immanuel.[d] 15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.
Questions:
- How do you think the people felt when they were told to watch for a sign?
- How do you think it felt to wait for the baby called Immanuel?
Bible Memory Verse: Isaiah 7:14 - “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and[c] will call him Immanuel.
Click here for the young learner’s lesson.
Videos (Click on url)
Stories:
Isaiah God’s Story - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-hZA0f0RH8
Book of Isaiah Summary: A Complete Animated Overview (Part 1) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0A6Uchb1F8&t=461s
Song: Tell the Good News About Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7CodF0mMs0&list=RDH7CodF0mMs0&start_radio=1
Jesus Is The Good News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFFjfz0nF2s&list=RDVFFjfz0nF2s&start_radio=1
Activities:
Option 1: Prepare for Christmas, work with your clergy to find a small project that you could do to prepare the church for Christmas. Examples can include:
- An area that can be decorated for Christmas.
- An area that could be cleaned and prepared for Christmas with assistance.
- If the church is using candles Christmas Eve, you could assist in getting those prepared for the church.
Option 2: Bringing Joy Delivery, did you complete the Lutheran Family collection or Cookie Creation from last week? If so, it is time to add the items and bag or box for delivery. Check the Cookie Creation and Bringing Joy below.
Option 3: Jesus’ Birth Enjoy telling the story of Jesus’ birth with song and readings. The songs are located in the Red Worship Hymnal.
- Read Luke 2:1-4, then sing – O, Little Town of Bethlehem, Hymn #279
- Read Luke 2:5-7, then sing – Silent Night, Holy Night, Hymn #281
- Read Luke 2:8-14, then sing – Go, Tell it on the mountain, Hymn #290
- Read Luke 2:15-20, then sing O Come. All Ye Faithful, Hymn #283
- End by saying - God is with us – Immanuel
- Sing Away in a Manager, Hymn #277,278
Cookie Creation: Create cookies for those who are homebound in your church or if you have a connection to a nursing home. You can use pre-baked cookies to frost and decorate. Package the cookies for delivery on paper plates and add a homemade Christmas card. You may want to organize a delivery time with your families.
Bringing Joy: How could you bring joy to other families? As we prepare for the birth of Christ, what do you think it takes a family to prepare for the birth of a child today? What are the needs? What if you didn’t have everything you needed? Perhaps you could ask everyone in the congregation to bring some items specifically for infants to be donated next week. Items could include, baby wipes, diapers, formula, bottles, blankets, etc. Or you can bring Hygiene Products to church for the Lutheran Family Services Well Being Box Program such as Shampoo/Conditioner, Body Wash, Deodorant, Toothbrush/Toothpaste, and Wash Cloths/Loofa Sponges.
The Prophet Isaiah – Crossword: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/294352525641764535/
The Prophet Isaiah - Word Search: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/375065475235957198/
The Prophet Isaiah - Maze: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/16888567402624365/
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you continue to do great things for us, give us your gift of peace, as we await your coming. Amen.
