Read: John 15:1-11, John 16:16-24, Luke 2:1-20

Sing: Silent Night

Family Time: 

1. Draw or paint what you think Jesus’ return might look like. 
2. Spend time outside watching the clouds. The Bible tells us He will return, coming out of the clouds. Spend time imagining what Jesus’ return will look like and pray for Him to return soon. 

Questions to Consider:
Do you ever feel like you are unworthy to receive the love of God? What can you do to remind yourself of the truth about His love for you? 

How might your day look different if you truly believed you were a recipient of the love of God? What are some ways you can respond to Him in love? 

Do you tend to get stuck thinking of love as just a feeling? How can you shift love from being a thought in your head or feeling in your heart to tangible actions with your hands? 

Read: 1 John 4

Sing: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Family Time: 

1. Continue making your nativity set. This week, create shepherds and angel pieces and add them to the set. 
2. Make a Christmas card for someone who does not love and trust Jesus. Wish them a merry Christmas and tell them that Jesus showed His love on the cross as He came to save sinners! 
3. Play hide-and-seek and talk about how Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Thank God for sending Jesus. 

Read: Luke 1:26-28, Isaiah 7:14, Luke 2:8-14, Ephesians 2:14-16,Colossians 3:12-17

Sing: Away in a Manger

Family Time: 

1. Continue making your nativity set. This week, create the baby Jesus piece and add it to the set. 
2. Draw or paint what you think the night sky might have looked like when the angels appeared to the shepherds. 
3. When you see Christmas lights, talk about which lights and houses are your favorites and why. We are attracted to lights because we are made for the Light. Talk with your children about how these lights remind us of Jesus, the best and perfect Light of the World. 

Questions to Consider:

• Think through the Story of Scripture. List some of the different ways that we see “God with us” throughout the Bible. 
• Think about a time when your life wasn’t peaceful. Where did you seek comfort? 
• Why does the Advent season bring peace to those who believe in Jesus? 

Read: Genesis 3, Exodus 3:7-22, Mark 13:32-37, Isaiah 9:1-7,

Sing: COME, THOU LONG-EXPECTED JESUS

Family Time: 

1. Create an Advent wreath to use throughout the Advent season. 
2. Create a nativity scene to use throughout the Advent season. If you would like to make this activity last the entire season, consider creating just the stable, animals, and Mary and Joseph this week. 

Questions to consider:

• Read Genesis 3. How does beginning the Advent story here instead of the New Testament change your perspective as we enter this season? 
• Where we put our hope ultimately matters. Are there people, things, or circumstances you are putting your hope in right now instead of in Christ? 
• How does the hope and longing we experience as we wait for Christmas day prepare our hearts as we hope and long for Jesus’ return? 

This episode is all about Thanksgiving (maybe a little Advent)! 

We are not called just to give thanks during certain seasons. God calls us to give thanks in everything in Christ Jesus. In this episode, we will look at Psalms 100 and the call to action that is given to the believer. May our lives be marked by thankfulness each and every day and not just a few short months a year. God is worthy of all our praise and thanksgiving now and forever!

Learn Psalms 100 through song!

Enter His Gates (Psalms 100) - The Village Kids


" Gratitude" by Genavieve Linkowski  

Today's episode is a little different. Shanna had the opportunity to speak at Hope Church Women's In Word and In Deed Conference. All throughout Scripture we see a God pursuing His people to dwell with them because He delights in them. The people of God are meant for the presence of God. We hope this episode stirs your affection for your Creator  - because He delights in you. 

Shanna and Kristen are joined by special guest Jani Ortlund. We had the privilege of chatting with Jani about marriage, family discipleship, and the importance of passing on a legacy of faith to future generations. Jani shares so much wisdom in this episode. We know that whatever stage of life you are in, you will be encouraged and reminded of what God can do generationally through your family.   

Books Mentioned In This Episode:

To the Tenth Generation

Your Family is God’s Plan

Jani's Podcast
He Restores My Soul

Jani's Website
Renewal Ministries

On today’s episode, we are discussing the glory of God. We hear a lot about the glory of God. We often say, “God is working all things together for His own glory” or “Glorify God in everything you do”. These are all true and important statements! But what exactly is the glory of God? Why is His glory a big deal? These are valid questions. We will even confront the natural objection that people may have: if God’s after His own glory, does that mean He’s self-centered? How is that a good thing for us? We hope this conversation helps you understand that it is only right for God to be after His own glory and that His self-glorification is actually a means to true joy and delight for us.

Pourover news
The Overcomers Book

Everyone is being discipled, the question is what is discipling us? Churches have neglected their responsibility to make disciples. The church is not a secondary platform; it is the primary platform God uses to grow people into the image of Jesus. Join us as we chat with Corey O'Grady about the importance of discipleship in our lives and how we can accomplish this command given by God. 

Corey has over 15 years of vocational ministry. He has pastored in the United States and Europe. In the last 5 years, he has helped churches on every continent as they cultivate disciples in their local context.
 
Connect with Corey here

Find out more about Cultivate Disciples here

Check out Corey's Podcast here

Listener favorite, Jen Wilkin, is back to talk about her newest Bible study on the book of Revelation. 

Perhaps no other book of the Bible feels as inaccessible and as intimidating to us as the very last one. The book of Revelation overflows with images and ideas that confound our modern ears. But if all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable, we should assume Revelation is as accessible and helpful as any other book of the Bible. Why don’t we see it that way?

Two thousand years ago, John’s Revelation was circulated and read aloud among seven churches in Asia Minor. Those who heard the letter understood it and drew encouragement from its message. The same can be true for you today.

Get the study here

Find out about more of Jen's studies here

Check out Knowing Faith where they are going through Revelation this season

Doxology by Sarah Noelle