Our Fierce Joy

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 answer: “What can you remember about your baptism? Who was present? What did you wear? What does it mean to you?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 and John 1:6-8, 19-28.

• Divide the group into two smaller groups; have one half examine Isaiah 61:1-4, and the other verses 8-11. Look for all the images of restoration, renewal, and encouragement. Together, describe why the images work (then and now) and what portrait emerges for a community under God. Ask, “Where in this portrait do you see yourself?”
• Isaiah 61:1 speaks about the anointed one, and John 1:19-28 about one who, in effect, anoints. Can you think of any contemporary instances of this sort of action? Who, in the church or world, is an “anointed one” and who anoints? What import did that function (or functionary) have in the biblical contexts? What does it have today?
• The Old Testament passage was spoken to a broken, beleaguered people who were held in exile for many years in a foreign land. Given the state of the world, much of which is in some sort of chaos, can you imagine who or what could stand to deliver a message of restoration? Would it be believed? In what way can an individual address the chaos and offer a beacon of hope or encouragement in the midst of disarray?
• Describe the traits of John the Baptizer (John 1:6-8). John was called to witness to the “light,” referring here to the Christ to come. Witness here has both a judicial and religious dimension, sufficient for evidence in a trial, which suggests the seriousness and weight of his claim. In what ways do you witness? Is it serious or compelling enough to be convicting “evidence”? How might you grow to be an even better witness?
• We are all called to live in the light. Who do you know who testifies to the light? Who are the faithful witnesses you have seen in action? How are you a witness to the light?
• John baptized with water in the tradition of the Jews’ practice of ritual cleansing (see, for example, Leviticus 15 or Matthew 15:1-2). Advent, as a season of preparation, is a time for spiritual cleansing. What attitudes, behaviors, or beliefs might you need to amend to be ready to receive the Son? The Son receives us as we are, but what can you do to ensure that your spirit is in continual renewal?

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:

God of the prophets and Father of the Light: we struggle in the darkness to find the light and live in the light. We are grateful for the faithful witnesses who led the way with courage and encouragement. Inspire us to claim our baptismal vows and speak our word of truth in the world. In the name of Christ, the Anointed, Amen.

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Diana Hynson is an elder who has served small, medium, and large churches in urban, suburban, and rural areas of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference. A native of Maryland, she now resides in Pennsylvania, by way of a thirty-year career in United Methodist agencies in Nashville, Tennessee.