Love that Transforms Us / Our Wondrous Light

DOWNLOAD the Small Groups Resources for Advent & Christmas 2023 (PDF)

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants consider: “Advent is a time of waiting and preparation. What have you been waiting for? Preparing for? How much of this time has been spent in seasonal stuff and how much in focusing on Christ as the reason for the season?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Luke 1:26-38, and Luke 1:46b-55.

• After years of turmoil, when David was “settled in his house” and “at rest from all his enemies around him” (2 Samuel 7:1), he and Nathan decided to give God a permanent home, too, but God objected rather pointedly. The traveling, portable tabernacle was good enough for now; thank you, very much. How do you envision the sort of “home” God has within your life? Is it a place essentially outside yourself where the “God stuff” resides? A portable place in your mind where God is tucked when convenient and pulled out when needed? A firm, unmovable spot in your heart and mind where you are constantly mindful of that presence? Something else? How do you move with God, and God with you?
• In this 2 Samuel passage, God reiterates the covenant promises to David and his people: a permanent land, peace, longevity, and steadfast Godly love. Peace in the Middle East has not been stable or permanent for a very long time. How do you interpret God’s promises and rely on the word of God when you see that they seem not to be fulfilled? What do you think is God’s response when we fail to keep our promises to God?
• Gabriel said many marvelous things to Mary. He started with “Greetings favored one! The Lord is with you.” He ended with “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:28, 37). Our understanding of grace declares that God says this to all of us if we could just hear it. In what ways do you see with assurance that God holds you in favor? That God is with you? That God interacts with you? (If this seems difficult or impossible to conceive, perhaps a prayer partner might work with you to build up such assurance.) Have you seen evidence that “nothing is impossible with God”? How do you see yourself as God’s partner to make good and faithful things happen?
• When Mary, barely more than a child, was visited by Gabriel, she was initially perplexed by what he said (and no wonder!). He told her what must have seemed utterly fantastic: a birth (though she’s a virgin) of a son of God Most High, who would have a throne like unto David and an eternal kingdom. But almost immediately (assuming the conversation was as brief as reported), Mary said, “OK. As you wish” (Luke 1:26-38). Imagine yourself in that setting. Could you come to a point of obedience with a fantastic work of God so quickly (or at all)? Do you see yourself questioning? Arguing? Debating? Refusing?
• Mary obviously caught on quickly, especially with reinforcement from Elizabeth (1:39-45). She sings what we call the Magnificat (1:47-55). Play a musical version of this song (such as this one from St. Luke’s Central Music: My Soul Magnifies the Lord - YouTube). List all the elements of acclamation. Then, in groups of two or three, write your own psalm of praise, based on what you see here, but also from your own experience of God.

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:

Covenantal God of our foremothers and forefathers: we regret that we often fail to keep our promises or accept your guidance. We are grateful that you are faithful to your promises. Renew a spirit within us that we may carry you and your will at all times and all places. Bring us— at this celebration of birth—to a newborn dedication to discipleship. We ask this in the name of our Messiah, Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Diana Hynson worked for several years at (now) Discipleship Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee. She created and presented workshops and events to assist adults who work with Christian education and formation with their own ministry. She has written numerous articles and worked with multiple resources to help equip adult learners and teachers, as well as other church leaders.