Family Worship Advent Guide

As the Legacy Children’s Ministry we desire to partner with you in imparting a Godly legacy. This year we have provided this Family Worship Advent Guide to aid you in taking time this month to help you and your children focus on Christ. In this guide you will find four weeks of devotion time to go through with your kids (3 devotions per week). For each devotion there are four categories: Time in the Word, Time in Prayer, Time in Song, and Time in Activity. These are intended to help provide focus and structure to your devotion time together as a family. Each week’s devotions coincides with the weekly Advent readings that will be done during our Sunday morning Services and finalized at our Christmas Eve service (November 29-December 24). Time in the Word 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Psalm 1:1-2, 119 This section uses verses from the Advent Readings from church. Read the passage given and then use the discussion questions to talk with your kids about God’s Word. Don’t stop there; instead, be encouraged to talk about more than the provided questions. Time in Prayer Philippians 4:4-7; Colossians 4:2-3 During your time together as a family you have a great opportunity to pray. During this time, you are able to teach your children how to pray and model for them what this looks like. Once way in which you can do this as a family is the A.C.T.S. Pattern of Prayer. Please find below a short summary of this approach.

Adoration 2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 34:1; 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 Take time to praise God for who He is and what he has done and is doing. Tell Him how much you appreciate Him and love Him.

Confession Psalm 66:18; 1 John 1:9 Acknowledge before God where you have fallen short of His commands. Thank God for the forgiveness He gives through Jesus. Ask for help to resist future temptation.

Thanksgiving 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Philippians 4:4-7 Express gratitude and praise to God for specific things He has done in your families’ life.

Supplication 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Philippians 4:4-7 Make specific requests and express desires to God on behalf of family, church, friends, others, the world, the lost, and yourself.

Time in Song 1 Chronicles 16:9,23; The book of Psalms; Colossians 3:16 Singing is a part of the Christian faith and life. It is important for us as parents to teach and model this to our children. Singing in the home, among many benefits, helps our children know songs that are sung on Sunday Mornings. This in turn equips them to participate with singing on Sunday Mornings. Time in Activity

This section is intended to help us think about disciple making in all of life. Each devotion has a different sphere of life in focus (Home, Church, Community). As we as families seek to focus on Christ let us also seek to make Him known to those around us.

Prophecy Candle

Devotion # 1 Time in the Word Isaiah 7:14

1.   How long before the birth of Jesus did Isaiah write about God’s promise?

2.   What is a prophecy?

3.   What is a promise? 4.   What does the name Immanuel mean?

5.   Why does this matter to my life and how I live?

Time in Prayer (A.C.T.S) Adoration- Confession- Thanksgiving- Supplication- Time in Song Come Thou Long Expected Jesus O Come, O come Emmanuel

Activity Idea (disciple making in the Home) Ride around looking at Christmas lights as a family and include discussion about Jesus as the light of the World.

 

Prophecy Candle

Devotion # 2 Time in the Word Matthew 1:20-23

1.   How do we know we can trust God’s promises?

2.   What does this passage tell us about Jesus as it relates to Isaiah’s Prophecy?

3.   How is Jesus the Immanuel?

4.   Why does this matter to my life and how I live? Time in Prayer (A.C.T.S) Adoration- Confession- Thanksgiving- Supplication- Time in Song Fullness of God O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Activity Idea (disciple making in the Church) Spend time as a family in prayer for our church family at Grace Fellowship that during this time of year we will focus on Christ, living for Him and making Him known (maybe do this with another family from church).

 

Prophecy Candle

Devotion # 3 Time in the Word Isaiah 9:2, John 1:1-18

1.   Why did God send Jesus?

2.   What darkness does Jesus shine light on?

3.   How does Jesus save us from our sins?

4.   Why does this matter to my life and how I live? Time in Prayer (A.C.T.S) Adoration- Confession- Thanksgiving- Supplication- Time in Song Come Thou Long Expected Jesus Fullness of God

Activity Idea (disciple making in the Community) Invite friends or neighbors over to decorate cookies and fellowship with one another. (be purposeful during part of your time together to reflect on God who made a promise to send a savior and Jesus is that savior).

Bethlehem Candle

Devotion # 1 Time in Word Micah 5:1-5

1.   According to verse 2 where did the prophecy say the ruler of Israel would be born?

2.   Where was Jesus born?

3.   Bethlehem was the “city of David,” the place where David was born. Israel’s king was to be from the family of David. How does Jesus being born in Bethlehem relate to this?

4.   Verse 4 says the one who will be sent will Shepherd his flock. What does John 10:11 tell us about

Jesus?

5.   Verse 5 says the one to be sent will be our peace. How is Jesus our peace? (cf. Ephesians 2:14) Time in Prayer (A.C.T.S) Adoration- Confession- Thanksgiving- Supplication- Time in Song Born in Bethlehem by Third Day O little town of Bethlehem

Activity Idea (for disciple making in the Home) Go through your stuff at home and have each person find 2-3 items to give to good will.

Bethlehem Candle

Devotion # 2 Time in Word John 6:25-35

1.   Exodus 16 tells of God sending bread from heaven. Read this and share to your kids about what God did here.

2.   What does Jesus call himself in the John 6 passage?

3.   Connect John 6 with Exodus 16 to show that Jesus is the “bread” that we need always.

4.   What does it mean to believe in Jesus?

Time in Prayer (A.C.T.S) Adoration- Confession- Thanksgiving- Supplication- Time in Song O Little Town of Bethlehem We Adore You by Paul Baloche

Activity Idea (for disciple making in the Church) Bring items to Church to donate to Abba House as part of the Children’s ministry partnering with the Watson/Pearce adult Connection class.

Bethlehem Candle

Devotion # 3 Time in Word Luke 2:1-7

1.   Look at a map in the back of your Bible to show your kids where Nazareth and Bethlehem are located.

2.   Who gave birth to Jesus? Where was Jesus born?

3.   Talk about the scene that verse 7 describes to help you kids get a picture of where Jesus was born and compare that to where your kids were born to help them get an understanding of what happened.

4.   Verse 4 says Joseph was of the house of the lineage of David. Why is this important? (cf Luke 1:26-33;

2 Samuel 7:12-17; Hebrews 1:8)

5.   In relationship to what we have been learning in Hebrews, talk about the significance of Jesus being born as a baby (sharing in our humanity).

Time in Prayer (A.C.T.S) Adoration- Confession- Thanksgiving- Supplication- Time in Song We Adore You by Paul Baloche What Child is This

Activity Idea (disciple making in the Community) Collect items from neighbors to take to Goodwill. Take this as an opportunity to talk about how God has given His son.

Angel’s Candle

Devotion # 1 Time in Word Luke 2:8-14

1.   Talk about the scene we see described here and help your children get a sense of it by talking about what was happening.

2.   In Hebrews 1:14 we read that angels are ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation. How did the angels fulfill that role in this passage?

3.   What message did the angel deliver to the shepherds (v10-12)?

4.   Talk about why this is good news of great joy that Jesus was born (Isaiah 9:6; Acts 5:27-32; 13:16-41).

5.   Discuss how God is a trustworthy God in whom we can believe and base our lives on (in relation to

Him keeping His promises to send Jesus). Time in Prayer (A.C.T.S) Adoration- Confession- Thanksgiving- Supplication- Time in Song Hark the Herald Angels Sing Angels We Have Heard on High

Activity Idea (disciple making in Home) Make your family's favorite snack and share with them your testimony of how God saved you through Jesus Christ.

Angel’s Candle

Devotion # 2 Time in Word Matthew 2:1-12 Please note that according to verse 1 the wise men (magi) visited after Jesus was born during the days of Herod. This is up to 2 years after the birth of Jesus.

1.   Talk about all the events described here in 1-12 (actions of the wise men and Herod).

2.   Read verses 5-6 and remind your kids of the prophecy in Micah 5:2 and how the birth of Jesus is the fulfillment.

3.   What did the wise men call Jesus in verse 2? How does Jesus function as king?

4.   Read Jeremiah 23:5 and Zechariah 9:9 and then talk about how Jesus fulfills these prophecies.

5.   What gifts did the wise men bring to Jesus? Is there any significance to these gifts?

6.   Who warned the wise men not to return to Herod?

Time in Prayer (A.C.T.S) Adoration- Confession- Thanksgiving- Supplication- Time in Song Hark the Herald Angels Sing O Come, All Ye Faithful

Activity Idea (for disciple making in Church) Share a meal with another family in Church and encourage one another in living for Jesus (share how God is working in your life right now, how you can serve and pray for one another).

Angel’s Candle

Devotion # 3 Time in Word Matthew 2:1-12

1.   In verse 2 the wise men said they saw his star when it rose. They would have known of Balaam’s prophecy in Numbers 24:17. This was understood by Jews to point to a messianic deliverer. Talk to your kids about how Jesus is the deliverer of sinful people.

2.   The wise men came to worship Jesus (v2,10-11). Is He someone we should worship? Why?

3.   What does John 4:16-26 say about worship? Jesus?

4.   Take time to reflect as a family about our sinfulness and how we do not naturally worship God about

our desperate need for a savior. Time in Prayer (A.C.T.S) Adoration- Confession- Thanksgiving- Supplication- Time in Song Hark the Herald Angels Sing Angels We Have Heard on High

Activity Idea (disciple making in Community) In conjunction with this time of year and all the discussion about Jesus being born, take time to share your testimony with a neighbor or co-worker.

Shepherd’s Candle

Devotion # 1

Time in Word Luke 2:8-14

1.   What were the shepherds doing? How did they respond to seeing the angels? 2.   Were shepherds thought of highly during that time? What does it tell us about Jesus that the angels

told shepherds?

3.   Talk about what it means that the angels called Jesus a Savior, Christ the Lord. What does this tell us about who Jesus is and His character?

4.   Do you believe that Jesus is the savior, Christ the Lord?

Time in Prayer (A.C.T.S) Adoration- Confession- Thanksgiving- Supplication- Time in Song What Child is This Go Tell it on the Mountain Activity Idea (disciple making in Home) Watch the movie The Nativity Story with your kids. Talk about the birth of Jesus and how important that is for us.

Shepherd’s Candle

Devotion # 2

Time in Word Luke 2:15-20

1.   Why did the shepherds glorify and praise God for all they had heard and seen?

2.   Talk about why the birth of Jesus is great news? Do you believe this is great news? 3.   What would you do if you were told such great news?

4.   Since we have the great news of God in the Bible should we go tell everyone this great news? How

can we do this? Time in Prayer (A.C.T.S) Adoration- Confession- Thanksgiving- Supplication- Time in Song Go Tell it on the Mountain Joy Has Dawned by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Activity Idea (disciple making in Church) Along with your child decorate a Christmas Card to give to your Child’s Connections teacher telling them how much you appreciate their partnership in making disciples of the next generation.

Shepherd’s Candle

Devotion # 3

Time in Word Psalm 23

1.   What does a shepherd do?

2.   What does Psalm 23 tells us about the Lord as our Shepherd?

3.   What does John 10:1-21 tells us about Jesus as our Shepherd?

4.   How should we respond to Jesus as the great Shepherd? Time in Prayer (A.C.T.S) Adoration- Confession- Thanksgiving- Supplication- Time in Song O Come, All Ye Faithful Go Tell it on the Mountain

Activity Idea (disciple making in Community) Make a camp fire outside and invite neighbors or coworkers over to hang out and use it as a chance to also talk with them about what you are sharing with your kids this week about the shepherd’s hearing of the arrival of Jesus.

Christ Candle Devotion

Time in Word Luke 2:1-21

1.   Read this passage and talk about the great gift that God sent—His Son.

1 John 4:9-10

1.   How does God show His love? 2.   Who loved first, us or God?

3.   What does it mean that Jesus is the propitiation for our sins?

John 13:34-35

1.   How should we show the love of God?

2.   What does this communicate to people around us? Time in Prayer (A.C.T.S) Adoration- Confession- Thanksgiving- Supplication- Time in Song Joy to the World Born that We May Have Life by Chris Tomlin

Activity Idea (disciple making in Home) As you gather as family and friends for Christmas celebrations make sure that Jesus is motivation and focus of your time.