Advent Conspiracy
Christ’s birth is full of promise, hope, and revolutionary love, but this season has somehow
become full of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists, and when it’s all over, we’re left with presents
to return, looming debt, and this empty sense of missed purpose.
What if we put Jesus back into Christmas?
Christmas can [still] change the world. This year, let's give presence.
become full of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists, and when it’s all over, we’re left with presents
to return, looming debt, and this empty sense of missed purpose.
What if we put Jesus back into Christmas?
Christmas can [still] change the world. This year, let's give presence.
5. Give Presence
How can we sustain true change in our lives, something more than a passing whim? In this message we explore what it means to build an approach to life that allows the presence of Jesus to result in sustained transformation and repeated fruitfulness in our lives.
- What is the goal of your life?
- What fruit is promised from that goal?
- Describe any new practices that will define your life this year.
- What does it mean to you to “Give Presence” this year?
4. Worship Fully
DECEMBER 19--Sometimes it is important that
something is fully effective, and partial just won't do. We don't want
airplanes with half a wing or boats that are partially watertight! But
what about our response to Jesus? Full on, or will partially do?
- Who is Jesus to You?
- Would you say the word “fully” or the word “partially” best describes your worship?
- Which of the four ways of responding will you commit to develop more fully?
3. Love All
DECEMBER 12--The first people whom God told
that Jesus had been born were the shepherds, who were among the lowest
on the Jewish social ladder. In doing so, God made it clear that His
love was for all people. This goes against our human nature and
culture, which is always determining who's in and who's out. God calls
us, as imitators of Him, to love all people.
- What will you do that shows priority to the disadvantaged?
- What will you do that demonstrates a desire to embrace people different than you?
- What will you do that enhances unity in Christ?
2. Give More
DECEMBER 5--Can you remember an especially
meaningful gift you've received before? Can you remember every gift you
got last year? Not all gifts are memorable. As you make your plans for
this season, are you going to give authentically--and what does that
really mean? Listen, and find out.
- In what ways do you find it difficult to engage in authentic giving? Why?
- How do you need to respond to God’s gift in Jesus today? What will you do about it?
- Describe a couple ways you will try to give more to those you love this Christmas season.
1. Spend Less
NOVEMBER 28--Are we focused on the Kingdom
of the World that tells us to "Spend more to get more?" Or do we look
to the Kingdom of God that would have us "Spend less to get more?" And
what do these mantras look like in real life, really?
- Describe some ways that the conflict of kingdoms is evident in your typical Christmas celebration.
- In each of the ways that you may have focused on getting, how could you shift to giving?
- Spend some time with friends or family talking about what you can do to make this a more meaningful Christmas.
