The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “arrival” or “coming,” a translation of the Greek parousia, a term the New Testament uses for both Christ’s birth and His promised return.

 

By the fourth and fifth centuries, Christians began observing a season of expectant waiting, turning their hearts toward the mystery of the Incarnation and the hope of Christ’s future kingdom. Rooted in scripture’s longing for light to break into darkness, Advent invites us to dwell in the wonder of the Savior who has come and the King who will come again.

 

 

USING THIS RESOURCE

The Advent Home Guide helps your household slow down, look to Scripture, and worship Jesus together. Whether your home is quiet or full of kids and chaos, this guide gives you a simple and meaningful way to prepare for Christmas. Each week highlights one Advent theme of Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, or Christ and shows how the whole Bible points to Jesus. Everything is written so any parent or leader can use it with confidence.

This digital version of the Advent Home Guide corresponds with the FBG Advent Resource available in our Worship center lobby. 

WHAT'S IN EACH WEEK

LIGHT THE CANDLE

 

Light one more candle each week as a way of slowing down and remembering Jesus, the Light who enters our weary world.

 

INTRODUCE & READ THE PASSAGE

 

A brief, ready-to-read intro connects the Scripture to the week’s theme. Read aloud together. Rotate readers, share verses, or read it yourself.

DISCUSS

 

Three simple prompts help everyone engage with God’s Word. Use what fits your home. There are no “right” answers.

 

PRAY

 

A short guided prayer at the end helps you turn to the Lord together.

HOW TO LEAD

 

Week of November 30

2 Samuel 7:8–16

Leader Notes

 

 

 

 

Light the Candle

“In our weary world, Jesus is our source of hope.”

 

Introduce and Read the Passage

God made a promise to King David that one of his descendants would reign forever. Even in a weary and broken world, God was preparing a forever King who would restore His people. Today, we place our hope in Jesus, the fulfillment of that promise.

 

2 Samuel 7:8–16

 

Discuss

What stands out to you about God’s promise to David?

 

Why do you think God’s promise of a forever King gives us hope today?

 

Where do you personally need Jesus to bring hope into your life right now?

 

Pray

Prayer Prompt:

“Lord, thank You for sending Jesus, the King who reigns forever. In our weariness, remind us that our hope is secure in Him. Help us trust Your promises this week.”

End with joy. Advent brings comfort, not pressure.

 

 

LEADER NOTES:

1. Biblical Background

This passage records God’s covenant with David, also known as the Davidic Covenant. After years of leading Israel, David desired to build a house for God, but God declared that He would build a “house” for David, meaning a dynasty. God promised David an eternal throne and a descendant whose kingdom would never end. This covenant becomes a foundational hope throughout the Old Testament (see Ps. 89; Isa. 9:6–7; Jer. 23:5–6).

 

2. How This Connects to the Theme of Hope

Israel lived with political instability, external threats, and internal sin. Yet God anchored their future hope in His promise, a forever King. Advent invites us to remember that hope isn’t rooted in circumstances but in who God is and His covenant faithfulness.

 

3. How This Passage Points to Jesus

The New Testament explicitly identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promise to David (Luke 1:32–33; Acts 2:29–36). Jesus is the eternal Son of David, whose kingdom will never pass away. In a weary world filled with temporary leaders and fragile kingdoms, Jesus is the forever King. He is the Hope who has come, and the Hope who will return.

 

4. Theological Notes

God’s covenant with David is unconditional; its fulfillment depends on God, not human faithfulness.

The hope of Israel and the hope of the church are centered on God’s sovereign, unstoppable plan.

 

SUMMARY

This passage reminds your family that God always keeps His promises. Jesus is the promised King, our hope in a weary world.

 

 

 

Week of December 7

Luke 1:5–25

Leader Notes

 

 

Light the Candles

“In our weary world, Jesus is our source of hope.”

“In our weary world, Jesus gives us peace.”

 

 

 

Introduce and Read the Passage

Before Jesus was born, God sent John the Baptist to prepare the way. Even in the silence and waiting, God was working. As we read about Zechariah and Elizabeth, we remember that God brings peace by keeping His promises and guiding His people toward Jesus.

 

Luke 1:5–25

 

 

 

Discuss

How do you see God bringing peace into Zechariah and Elizabeth’s situation?

Why is it comforting to know that God prepares the way for people to know Jesus?

Where do you need the peace of Jesus to calm your heart this week?

 

 

 

Pray

Prayer Prompt:

“Father, thank You for preparing the way for Jesus and for giving us peace even when we are waiting. Help our hearts rest in You.”

 

 

 

LEADER NOTES:

Passage: Luke 1:5–25

 

1. Biblical Background

Luke begins with Zechariah and Elizabeth, faithful but childless in old age. After 400 years of silence, God announces John the Baptist’s birth. John will prepare the way for the Lord (Mal. 3:1; Isa. 40:3), showing God’s redemptive plan is advancing.

 

2. How This Connects to the Theme of Peace

Long silence, disappointment, and waiting create deep weariness. God brings peace not by removing hardship but by entering it. His peace comes from knowing He is still working and faithful, even after long seasons of waiting.

 

3. How This Passage Points to Jesus

John prepares hearts for the Messiah. His birth signals that Jesus is near. John announces peace, but Jesus is our peace (Eph. 2:14). True peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of the faithful God who keeps His promises.

 

4. Theological Notes

God sovereignly directs history and initiates redemption on His terms. John is the final Old Covenant prophet, bridging old and new. Peace flows from God’s covenant faithfulness and restoring work.

 

SUMMARY

God brings peace by keeping His promises and drawing our hearts to Jesus, even in long seasons of waiting.

 

 

 

Week of December 14

Matthew 2:1–12

Leader Notes

 

 

Light the Candles

“In our weary world, Jesus is our source of hope.”

“In our weary world, Jesus gives us peace.”

“In our weary world, Jesus brings us joy.”

 

 

 

Introduce and Read the Passage

The wise men traveled far because they believed the promised King had come. Their joy overflowed when they found Jesus. In the middle of a weary world, joy takes root when we recognize who Jesus is, the King who gives life and light.

 

Matthew 2:1–12

 

 

 

Discuss

What do you notice about the wise men’s response when they found Jesus?

How is joy different from happiness?

What is one way you can look for joy in knowing Jesus this week?

 

 

 

Pray

Prayer Prompt:

“Jesus, You are our joy. Help us see Your goodness in the middle of our weariness. Fill our home with the joy that only You can give.”

 

 

 

LEADER NOTES:

Passage: Matthew 2:1–12

 

1. Biblical Background

The Magi, likely scholars, recognized that Jesus’ birth fulfilled ancient expectations of a divine King (Num. 24:17; Isa. 60:1–6). Their long journey contrasts with Herod, who feared Jesus instead of rejoicing. Their worship shows who truly understands the arrival of God’s promised King.

 

2. How This Connects to the Theme of Joy

Joy is not rooted in comfort or predictability. The Magi traveled far and faced uncertainty because they believed God had done something world-changing. Their “exceedingly great joy” (v. 10) came from encountering Jesus not from gifts or circumstances. In Advent, joy grows as we recognize that God has given Himself to us.

 

3. How This Passage Points to Jesus

Jesus is the true and better King, worthy of worship from the nations and bringing light to all peoples. The Magi’s journey highlights the scope of the gospel:

Jesus is the promised King of the Jews.

Jesus is the Savior for the nations.

Jesus is the joy of every longing heart.

 

4. Theological Notes

Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the Davidic King and fulfillment of prophecy. The gifts (gold, frankincense, myrrh) symbolize royalty, deity, and sacrificial death. True joy is a response to God’s revelation, not human achievement.

 

SUMMARY

Joy comes from encountering Jesus, the promised King who brings light, life, and salvation.

 

 

Week of December 21

John 3:1–21

Leader Notes

 

 

Light the Candles

“In our weary world, Jesus is our source of hope.”

“In our weary world, Jesus gives us peace.”

“In our weary world, Jesus brings us joy.”

“In our weary world, Jesus is the gift of love.”

 

 

 

Introduce and Read the Passage

Nicodemus came to Jesus seeking answers, and Jesus revealed God’s incredible plan: that the Father sent His Son because of His great love for the world. In a weary world, God’s love meets us through the gift of Jesus.

 

John 3:1–21

 

 

 

Discuss

What surprises you about Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus?

How does John 3:16 show us the depth of God’s love?

Have you received God’s gift of Jesus by placing your faith in Him and being “born again” as a Christian?

 

 

 

Pray

Prayer Prompt:

“Father, thank You for loving us enough to send Jesus. Help us receive Your love and show that same love to others this week.”

 

 

Leader Notes

Passage: John 3:1–21

 

1. Biblical Background

Nicodemus, a Pharisee and respected teacher, comes to Jesus seeking truth. Jesus reveals that entrance into God’s kingdom requires spiritual rebirth, a work only God can accomplish. At the heart of this explanation is John 3:16, the clearest summary of God’s motive in sending His Son: love.

 

2. How This Connects to the Theme of Love

The weary world is not just tired, it is spiritually dead. God’s answer is not merely encouragement but transformation. Advent love is not sentimental; it is sacrificial. The Father gives His beloved Son to rescue sinners. This is love defined not by mere emotion but by self-giving action on behalf of the undeserving.

 

3. How This Passage Points to Jesus

Jesus is God’s love made visible. He is the Son who is lifted up (vv. 14–15) so that all who believe may live. He is the gift of the Father (v. 16). He is the Light who enters our darkness (v. 19). Advent is the story of God loving the world by sending Jesus to save it.

 

4. Theological Notes

“Born again” refers to spiritual regeneration, a work of the Holy Spirit.

Salvation is grounded in God’s initiative, not human effort.

Jesus fulfills Old Testament promises by becoming the means of salvation for those who believe.

 

SUMMARY

This week centers your family on the truth that God’s love is revealed in Jesus and that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

 

 

 

December 25

Luke 2:1–20

Leader Notes

 

 

Light the Candles

“In our weary world, Jesus is our source of hope.”

“In our weary world, Jesus gives us peace.”

“In our weary world, Jesus brings us joy.”

“In our weary world, Jesus is the gift of love.”

“In our weary world, we celebrate the birth of Christ.”

 

 

 

Introduce and Read the Passage

On this day, we celebrate the moment hope, peace, joy, and love took on flesh. Jesus entered a weary world to save us and be with us. The story of His birth reminds us that God keeps His promises and draws near to His people.

 

Luke 2:1–20

 

 

 

Discuss

What part of the Christmas story is most meaningful to you this year?

Why do you think God chose such a humble way for Jesus to enter the world?

How does Jesus’ birth bring rejoicing into our world today?

 

 

 

Pray

Prayer Prompt:

“Jesus, thank You for coming into our weary world! Help us celebrate Your birth with hearts full of gratitude and rejoicing, remembering that You are the Savior we needed and the King who still reigns.”

 

 

Leader Notes
Passage: Luke 2:1–20

 

1. Biblical Background

Luke ensures that we know Jesus’ birth is real history, taking place during the census under Caesar Augustus, to show that God’s plan unfolds in real life, even alongside human decision-making. Jesus’ humble birth in Bethlehem fulfills Micah 5:2 and demonstrates the upside-down nature of God’s kingdom. The angelic announcement to the shepherds reveals that the good news is for ordinary, overlooked people.

 

2. How This Connects to the Theme of Christ

All the themes of Advent-hope, peace, joy, and love-find their fulfillment in this moment. Christ has come. The promise has been fulfilled. The weary world now has a Savior, Redeemer, and King living among us.

 

3. How This Passage Points to Jesus

Jesus is the promised Son of David (hope).

Jesus brings peace on earth to those favored by God (peace).

Jesus’ birth is “good news of great joy” (joy).

Jesus is God’s gift to the world (love).

Jesus is Christ the Lord, the long-awaited Messiah.

This is the moment the whole Bible has anticipated.

 

4. Theological Notes

The “good news” echoes Isaiah’s promises of salvation breaking into darkness (Isa. 9:2–7).

Jesus’ humble birth underscores His mission: He enters our lowly state to lift us into His eternal life.

 

SUMMARY

On Christmas Day, lead your family to rejoice: Christ has come. The weary world rejoices because its Savior has arrived.

 

 

 

Committing scripture to memory allows the follower of Christ to, in essence, carry God’s Word with them wherever they go. In moments when you least expect it, the Holy Spirit brings to mind passages you may have memorized years ago. We’ll memorize four passages over Advent. Be sure to visit the Scripture Memory Resource Center for fun and useful tools like stickers, temporary tattoos, and scripture memory cards.

TIP: Screenshot the image below.

 

 

Follow along with your church family as we read through scripture together this Advent season.  Pick up a hard copy bookmark in the Worship Center Lobby.