December 1 – Advent Study Day 2

“Advent is one of the hardest seasons of the church year to celebrate in today’s culture. As soon as Thanksgiving arrives, we are bombarded by Christmas carols, Christmas decorations, Christmas everything. We are so saturated by Christmas that we often skip over one of the most important parts: the preparation. You wouldn’t throw a party without preparing the food and drinks; you wouldn’t visit a friend without getting dressed and ready. We are about to remember the most awe-inspiring thing that happened in the whole of history: God becoming man in the glory and mystery of the incarnation. We need to set aside time to prepare ourselves for this – internally and externally” (excerpt from Rachel Telander’s “Let Us Keep the Feast”)

Join us as we prepare for Christmas with an Advent Study based on Selah Woody’s “A Traditional Advent Calendar: 28 Days of Devotions and Activities”. Each day of the study, we will post the scripture to focus on, ideas for discussion and activities with your family, and an example SOAP from our team based on the day’s scripture. If you’d like to see the full daily devotion from Selah Woody’s study, you can get the free download through Focus on the Family HERE.

Join our study by reading today’s scripture below and journaling about it using SOAP (click on the “What’s SOAP?” link above to learn more). Then, read and discuss the verse with your family around the dinner table, in the car, before bed, or another time when you can be in intentional devotion to Jesus. We love hearing from you! Please use the comment section of our website to share your SOAP, thoughts on the verse, discussion with your family, or your favorite Christmas traditions. Join us as we build unity and community through God’s Word!

Advent Study Day 2

Isaiah 9:6-7

⁶ For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the increase of his government and of peace
    there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
    to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
    from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Psalm 89:1-2

I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;
    with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
² For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever;
    in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.”

Discussion/Activity Ideas

Talk to your children about the circle of evergreen branches in your Advent wreath. The circle reminds us of God’s love; it never ends. The evergreen branches represent God’s faithfulness; they remain green during all seasons. The four taper candles symbolize how God’s people have suffered and rejoiced as they waited for the birth of the Christ child. The center candle serves as a reminder that Christ is central to this Christmas season. Explain the Advent wreath tradition–that each Sunday, your family will light one more candle to show that our celebration of Jesus’ birth is getting near.

SOAP Note

Prophetic Announcement | Kathy Page

Scripture

Isaiah 9:6-7

Observation

A prophecy of the coming of Jesus on earth. The verses here gather into one announcement the predictions of the birth, deity, His earthly government, His just kingdom and the eternity of Christ.

He came for us, from eternity God planned to send Him. He is God incarnate – He is the image of the invisible God.  He will occupy a position of deity; He will become a righteous ruler who will fulfill all expectations of the family of King David; He is a wonder and will rule with unfailing wisdom – He will not need a cabinet, He Himself IS the Counselor.  He is Mighty God – Creator, Sustainer, Warrior;  The Father of all eternity, all ages will meet in Him.

Application

When I put my faith in Jesus, I have a Wonderful Counselor. When I get into His Word, I am trusting in the Mighty God.  When I believe in Jesus, I have an eternal Father.  When I trust Jesus, I have the Prince of Peace as my ruler.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, in You are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Everything we need to know about God and eternity is found in You.  You are Mighty God, the One who created and sustains all.  Lord Jesus, to see You is to see the Everlasting Father and to know who He is.  You are the Prince of Peace who paid the price for my peace.  I will praise You today and rest in Your love.  In Your Name, Amen.

The Discover One Thing main website follows a reading plan that goes through the entire Bible in one year. Click HERE to check out today’s Discover One Thing post.