Bible Study – Third Sunday of Advent – Who Are You
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 means “coming.” The coming of the baby Jesus, God among us in human flesh. The coming of Christ again "the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. In between those two great comings is God’s constant longing for each of us to come to God, to love God, and to let God love us. "Be alert." Notice. Listen. Watch. For what? For the ways God will choose to get our attention this season. For those moments when we notice that our ways are not in alignment with God’s ways. For those shimmering glimpses of the Kingdom of God.
The Gospel of John tells the story of John the Baptist from a slightly different perspective. Who is this John? John understands he is a messenger of the light – not the light itself. Those in charge of keeping the faith are confused. Who is this man? Is this the long-awaited Messiah – or Elijah – or a prophet? John sees his mission as baptizing, and pointing to the one who is coming after him.
Opening Prayer: Thank you, God, for being with us today. Thank you for speaking to us through other people. Help us to recognize them and prepare the way for your coming. Amen.
Please open your Bibles to John 1:6-8, 19-28 and read or read the scriptures below.
John 1:6-8, 19-28
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah
19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders[a] in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”
21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”
He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”
22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”[b]
24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26 “I baptize with[c] water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Questions:
- Who did those sent by the religious authorities’ think John might be? (Christ, the expected Messiah, or Elijah, expected to return to prepare people for the Messiah. See 2 Kings 2:11 and Malachi 4:5, and Deuteronomy 14:15.)
- Who does John say that he is? (John 1:23)
- Who does the writer of the Gospel of John say that John the Baptist is? (John 1:6-8)
- Why do you think God needed John the Baptist to prepare or “make straight the way of the Lord”? To stay awake, be alert, be ready?
Click here for the young learner’s lesson
Videos (Click on url)
Gospel – John 1:6-8, 19-28: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOto8Yp6MkA
The Walk of God – John 1:19-34: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCr3v4WueQU
John 1:6-8, 19-28 John the Baptist Tells About Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihks1kGrNJk
Gospel of John Summary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-2e9mMf7E8
Song: The Light Of The World Is Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OmStVHcA9w
Activities:
The Advent Wreath: The custom of having an Advent Wreath originated centuries ago in Germany, and today its use has become popular in homes and churches with the observance of Advent. The continuous wreath stands for eternity. The holly with its thorny, prickly leave is regarded as a symbol of the Crowns of thorns and so recalls the Passion of Christ. In this way the Advent Wreath connects the birth and death of Christ. The liturgical color is purple or blue. The four colored candles refer to the four Sundays in Advent. All of the candles refer to the ushering in of the Kingdom through the birth of Christ.
How To: Make Your Own Advent Wreath: https://news.xcp.org/7401/faith-in-action/how-to-make-your-own-advent-wreath/
The first Sunday lit candle represents sorrow, repentance or a plea for pardon. The candle is called the “PEACE candle, a symbol of the preparations made to receive and to cradle the Christ child.
The second Sunday’s candle represents sorrow. The candle is the “HOPE” candle, for it represents the period of waiting that preceded the birth of Christ.
The third Sunday, which is called “Gaudate” is Latin and refers to rejoicing or joy. This candle is the “JOY” candle that speaks of love and the actual coming of Christ. Light the pink candle.
Mirror Fun: You need a small mirror and flashlight. Shine the flashlight on the mirror and see the reflection. On the back side of the mirror, tape a small piece of paper that will say “REFLECT THE LOVE OF CHRIST”.
Candle in Beans or Small Rocks: You need an empty baby food jar or some other similar container and beans such as dried peas, navy beans, lentils etc. or small rocks. Pick out various beans or small rocks and place them in the jar. Use a craft stick to stir some white glue into the jar of beans or small rocks and place a red candle in the middle of the jar. Hold the candle for a few minutes so the glue and the candle can set up. Then with a permanent marker or a piece of construction paper write “JESUS IS THE TURE LIGHT”. If you are using paper, then tape it around the outside edge of the jar.
Light Of The World - Crossword: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/light-of-the-world
Light Of The World - Word Search: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/light-of-the-world-3
Reflecting the Light – Decoder: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/reflecting-the-light-4
Light Of The World - Cryptogram: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/light-of-the-world-1
Light Of The World - Multiple Choice: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/light-of-the-world-2
In a few words, what would you say to others about Jesus? In what ways can you be messengers to someone you know about meeting Jesus? Do you want to add something more to the New Year’s resolutions you wrote the first week in Advent?
Prayer: Thank you, God, for the messengers you send. Thank you for inviting us to be messengers, also. Thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus, and for John who brought the message. Amen.
