Reading Plan

Advent means “arrival” and signifies the start of an event or the arrival of a person. In Christian communities around the world, Advent refers to a four-week season of remembering and celebrating the arrival of Jesus on Earth. It’s a time to reflect on the unexpected nature of Jesus’ humble birth and join in the anticipation of when he will come again to reunite Heaven and Earth once and for all.

Advent can be a simple and fun tradition of counting down to Christmas. But for others—particularly those who believe Jesus to be the incarnation of God and the long-awaited Messiah—Advent is a shared experience of meditation and prayer that celebrates the arrival of Jesus.

This reading plan is adapted from the BibleProject.

Sunday, Dec. 1
Romans 15:13
LINK: Hope Video
The word “advent” means arrival. So this advent season, we invite you to reflect on the biblical meanings of hope, peace, joy, and love to discover how these virtues have arrived in the world through Jesus. For our first week, we will explore the biblical meaning of hope. How does this video encourage you today?

Monday, Dec. 2
Psalms 130:1-8
Biblical hope relies on God’s character as a basis for trusting that the future will be better than the present. The more we get to know God’s character, the more hope we can have.

• What does the psalmist say about God’s character?
• What does the psalmist believe God will do for Israel?
• As you review today’s Psalm, consider the relationship between forgiveness and hope. What comes to mind? How do you want to see God’s forgiving work in your life and your community this week?

Tuesday, Dec. 3
Micah 7:6-8
Optimism chooses to see how circumstances could work out for the best. Biblical hope, however, is not based on circumstances. Hopeful people in the Bible often face difficult times with no evidence that things will get better, but they choose to hope because they trust God’s words of promise and his good character. For example, Israel’s prophet Micah lived amid injustice and evil. He grieved and protested against the injustice while still looking to God for hope.

• What specific troubles does Micah list in verse 6, and how does he respond in verses 7 and 8?
• What are some of the troubles around you right now? How does Micah’s response encourage or challenge you today?

Wednesday, Dec. 4
Psalm 39:6-7
God’s past faithfulness motivates hope for the future because we can remember God is consistent and trustworthy. Hope can exist in the darkest seasons when we look to him.

• When the Psalmist looks at the world around him what does he notice?
• How does the Psalmist look to God and express his hope?

Thursday, Dec. 5
1 Peter 1:3-5
Biblical hope depends on Jesus because he gives “living hope” through his resurrection. Our mortal lives fade and die, as he also died, but the life of Jesus is indestructible. He is alive and always offering unending, incorruptible life with him. We begin entering this hopeful way of life when we stop trusting in the world's fear-based advice about how to survive, and start trusting in Jesus' love-based invitation to come alive in him.

• What stands out to you as you read this passage?
• Do you notice how this passage is an expression of praise addressed to God? How can this passage help us understand what it practically means to praise God?

Friday, Dec. 6
Colossians 1:25-29
Jesus’ Spirit can live within us. The Holy Spirit empowers Jesus’ followers with God’s presence and promises. The apostle Paul called this mystery “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

• According to this passage, who and what is needed to become mature in Jesus?
• What did Christ’s Spirit powerfully work through Paul? What is one way that power work continues to impact our lives, even today?

Saturday, Dec. 7
Romans 8:18-39
Biblical hope is not just for humanity; it’s for all of creation. Jesus’ resurrection provided a glimpse of how the whole universe will one day be restored.

• In this passage, what do the children of God and creation groan to experience?
• What do you imagine creation will be like when this hope is finally realized?

Sunday, Dec. 8
Philippians 4:4
LINK: Joy Video 
In our second week of advent, we'll explore the biblical meaning of joy and how it all leads to Jesus. How does the video encourage you today?

Monday, Dec. 9
Psalms 105:42-43, Exodus 15:1-3
How can anyone experience joy amid so much chaos and sorrow? Circumstances can let us down, but God’s promises can sustain joy. For example, when God rescued Israel from slavery, they shouted for joy even though they were still in the middle of the wilderness, far away from the land God promised to give to them.

• Which promises of God help you to be joyful today?
• Which specific actions of God encourage you to be joyful today?

Tuesday, Dec. 10
Psalms 19:7-11, Genesis 3:1-7
Sooner or later, God’s wisdom leads to joy (see Psalm 19:7-8). But since Satan’s deceptions usually reward with temporary pleasures, it is easy to be tricked into believing otherwise.

• Compare these passages. What words and concepts are repeated in both texts? What ironies do you notice as you compare these passages?

Wednesday, Dec. 11
Isaiah 51:11, Isaiah 49:13
Israel chose a path apart from God. As a result, they were exiled from their land and dominated by foreign nations, but the prophet Isaiah knew that sorrow and sadness would not have the final word. He looked forward to the day when Israel’s gracious God would provide a redeemer to deliver them from oppression and lead them to eternal joy.

• What does Isaiah tell us about God’s character in these passages?
• What does Isaiah say will happen for God’s redeemed people?

Thursday, Dec. 12
Luke 2:9-11
The prophet Isaiah looked forward to the coming of Israel’s redeemer. His prophecies were fulfilled with the arrival of Jesus. This is one of the reasons why it is significant that the angels announced Jesus’ birth as “good news that brings great joy.”

• Why were the shepherds afraid?
• What reasons did the angels give for them to rejoice instead?

Friday, Dec. 13
Matthew 5:11-12, Acts 13:50-52, Hebrews 12:1-3
Jesus teaches his followers saying, “when people reject you or persecute you for following me, rejoice, be very glad, because your reward is great in heaven.” We see in Jesus’ teaching that true joy can survive the harshest of circumstances because it depends on God and his promises for his people’s eternal future.

• According to these passages, how can joy be sustained even in painful and threatening circumstances?

Saturday, Dec. 14
2 Corinthians 6:10
Biblical joy comes from the profound decision of faith and hope in the power of Jesus’ own life and love. When we believe that Jesus’ love has overcome death itself, joy becomes strangely reasonable. But this doesn’t mean we should ignore or suppress sorrow; that’s not healthy or helpful. Paul often expressed his grief alongside his joy. As he acknowledged his pain, he also chose to trust Jesus’ promise that his loss would not have the final word.

• How did Paul express both joy and sorrow? What can we learn from this?

Sunday, Dec. 15
1 John 4:11
LINK: Love Video 
In our third week of Advent, we'll explore the biblical meaning of love and how we can understand and experience Jesus’ love for ourselves. How does the video encourage you today?

Monday, Dec. 16
Mark 12:29-31
When people ask Jesus about the most important command he answers by quoting from the Hebrew Bible: “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” But that’s not all. Jesus quickly follows up by saying that another command is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” For Jesus, no other command is greater than these.

• How does loving God relate to loving other people?

Tuesday, Dec. 17
John 13:34, Mark 12:29-31, 1 John 4:9-11
The Hebrew Bible records the history of the ancient Israelites repeatedly neglecting the commandment to love God and others. How can we hope to do any better? Jesus helps us when he adds a new commandment to accompany the greatest commandment. His new command shows how his sacrificial love can empower his followers to love others.

• Compare John 13:34 with Mark 12:29-31. What is the difference between these two commands? How does Jesus' example show us what it looks like to follow the greatest command?
• Review 1 John 4:9-11 carefully. According to this passage, why did Jesus give his life, and what should motivate our love for others?

Wednesday, Dec. 18
1 John 4:16, John 15:9-13
The God of the Bible doesn’t just express love; he is love. As a triune God⏤Father, Son, and Spirit⏤he has always been and will always be an others-centered, self-giving, communal being. Jesus, the Son, fully embodies the love of God and demonstrates it most clearly when he gives his life on behalf of humanity. When people learn to trust Jesus’ love for them, they join in God’s community of love, and their very nature is transformed to love others with him.

• Take note of the phrase “come to know and believe.” How is knowing and believing God’s love for us a process?
• Jesus and his disciples compared his love to a place where you can live or “abide.” To truly live somewhere, we first have to move in, unpack, and learn the space and how to operate in it. What else do people do when they live somewhere? How can this compare to what it’s like to trust in Jesus’ love?

Thursday, Dec. 19
1 Corinthians 13:1-7
Agape love is not primarily a feeling that happens to people. Love is a choice to act in a way that brings well-being to others. Love is more important than having spiritual knowledge or special abilities, and nothing matters without it. So how does love impact our thoughts and actions?

• Using Paul’s definition of love, consider how Jesus loves us. How is Jesus patient, kind, humble, and selfless toward us?

Friday, Dec. 20
Luke 6:27-36
Jesus says that the ultimate standard of authentic love is how well you treat the person you can’t stand, or in his words, “You should love your enemy and do good to them, expecting nothing in return.” Jesus says this kind of love imitates the very character of God himself.

• What does Jesus promise for those who love their enemies (see verse 35)?
• Note how God himself is kind to ungrateful and evil people. What does this say about God’s character?
• Note how verse 36 describes God. What is the relationship between love and mercy?

Saturday, Dec. 21
Ephesians 3:14-21, Romans 8:38-39
In his letters, Paul says that God’s love extends beyond the Jews to include the Gentiles. Jesus’ love is so massive and relentless that people need unique help from God to begin to understand and live according to it, so Paul prays for his readers to be strengthened with God’s Spirit.

• What metaphors does Paul use in today’s passages?
• How do these metaphors help us understand the nature of God’s love?

Sunday, Dec. 22
Numbers 6:24-26
LINK: Peace Video 
In our fourth and final week of advent, we'll explore the biblical meaning of peace and how it all leads to Jesus. How does the video encourage you today?

Monday, Dec. 23
Proverbs 16:7
The Hebrew word for peace is shalom, and it describes a deep sense of well-being that comes through the presence of completion, reconciliation, and justice.

• Considering what you have learned about God in the Bible, name three ways (thoughts, actions, or words) people can bring pleasure to God.  
• How do you imagine these three ways could bring peace, even between enemies?

Tuesday, Dec. 24
Isaiah 9:6-7
The prophet Isaiah looked forward to the arrival of a future king who would make a covenant of shalom with his people. His reign would right all wrongs and undo all harm.

• What words or phrases stand out to you as you observe this passage?
• Based on this passage, how does the Prince of Peace govern his Kingdom?
• How can you cooperate with God to expand his peaceful rule in the places where you live?

Wednesday, Dec. 25
Luke 2:9-15, Isaiah 9:6-7
The prophet Isaiah looked forward to the arrival of the Prince of Peace, whose reign would lead to eternal shalom. Isaiah’s words were fulfilled with the arrival of Jesus. This is why it is so significant that the angels described Jesus’ birth as one that would bring “peace on earth.”

• Why do you think God announced the arrival of the King to no-name shepherds? What does this tell you about the nature of God and his Kingdom?  
• Notice the words “highest” and “earth” in the angel’s worshipful announcement. What came from the heights of Heaven to Earth when Jesus was born? How is this good news?

Thursday, Dec. 26
Colossians 1:19-23
The biblical story shows how humanity often chooses a way of life apart from God and suffers as a result. God knows how painful it is to be separated from him. He wants to be close to humanity, so he sends Jesus to make peace. Through Jesus, all things are being restored to harmony with God again.

• According to this passage, what did God want to do, and how did he accomplish his desire through Jesus?

Friday, Dec. 27
Ephesians 2:11-15; 4:1-3, 29-32
The apostle Paul says Jesus himself is our peace. Jesus removed all the things that separate humanity from one another and from God and now offers his peace to others as a gift. Jesus’ followers are called to receive, keep, and cultivate this gift of peace, which requires humility, gentleness, patience, and love.

• How did Jesus make peace between two sharply divided people groups (Jews and Gentiles), and why did he do it (see Ephesians 2:16)?
• Review Ephesians 4:1-3 carefully. How can humility, gentleness, patience, and love help to maintain the unity Jesus made for his followers? What happens to unity when one of these virtues is missing?

Saturday, Dec. 28
Philippians 4:1-9
The apostle Paul writes his letter to the Philippians from prison. He knows hardship, but he also knows the peace of God. This is because biblical peace, like hope, is based on a person and not on circumstances. Paul calls followers to rejoice in God at all times, to pray, to give thanks, and to think on what is good and true. Paul shows how these habits can lead to experiencing the peace of God even in the midst of great difficulty.

• Review verses 7 and 9. What does God’s peace protect?
• Make a list of the instructions Paul gives in Philippians 4:1-9 (e.g. “stand firm in the Lord,” “live in harmony,” etc).
• Observe your list and imagine making one into a habit. What would that habit practically look like in your daily life? How do you think it could lead to a renewed experience of God’s protective peace?