Week 1 – November 28-December 4
Theme: Hope
Readings: Youversion – Bible Project Advent Day 2 and Luke 1-4
Questions to ponder: In the passages, where do you see examples of people having hope? Where do you see hope being realized?
Christmas Movie: Home Alone
Discussion Questions:
1. If you were home alone what would you want to do?
2. Kevin was alone even before he was home alone. Do you ever experience loneliness even when the house is full of people? Is Christmas a lonely time for you?
3. In the movie even though Kevin gets his wish and is home alone he ends up missing his family and is lonely and hopes for them to return. What are you hoping for this Christmas?
4. The movie ends with everything working out and Kevin being reunited with his family. But real life rarely works out this way. How can you experience hope and not feel lonely this Christmas? Think about what Jesus has done in your life, his faithfulness and his promises to you, how does that fill you with hope?
Christmas in my Neighbourhood:
I. Have someone over for a bonfire and hot chocolate.
II. Have a games night.
III. Invite someone over to watch a Christmas movie.
Week 2 – December 5-11
Theme: Love
Readings: Youversion – Bible Project Advent Day 4 and Luke 5-11
Questions to ponder: In the passages, how does Jesus show love? Count all the times Jesus shows love to someone hard to love, or in a way that is sacrificial, or difficult to do. Jesus tells us to love our enemies (Luke 6:27-36), not just the people we want to love, or are easy to love. Who are the people in your life that are difficult to love? How can you show love to them this Christmas?
Christmas Movie: The Star
Discussion Questions:
1. Which character did you connect with the most? Which one is the most like you? Which one is the most different from you?
2. Where do you see the theme of love in the movie? The movie repeatedly shows us that true love is not easy, is costly, and reminds us that this is the love God showed at Christmas. How have you been shown that love by God and others? Come up with some ideas of how you can show God’s love to others this Christmas.
3. In the movie, even though Bo (the Donkey), abandons his friends and Thaddeus and Rufus (the Hunting Dogs) try to kill Mary, at the end, they are welcomed into the stable to be with Jesus. It is a picture of the love Jesus shows and how he forgives, and welcomes us into his family. How can you show that same love? Is there someone you need to forgive and reconcile with this Christmas?
Christmas in my Neighbourhood:
I. Give the Christmas cards you received in your Advent bag to some of your neighbours.
II. Enjoy the outdoors, invite someone to go sledding, skating or snowshoeing.
Week 3 – December 12-18
Theme: Joy
Reading: Youversion – Bible Project Advent Day 3 and Luke 12-18
Questions to ponder: In the passages, where do you see people experiencing joy? Why are they experiencing joy? How do they express their joy? What passages did you read that filled you with joy? Why did they give you joy?
Christmas Movie: Elf
Discussion Questions:
1. What was the funniest moment in the movie? When did you laugh the most?
2. Buddy the Elf is always joyful. Do you find it easy or hard to be joyful? Is Christmas a more or less joyful time for you?
3. Buddy’s joy through most of the movie is childlike, and naive, and contrasts with the other adults who are much more cynical and lack joy. How do you avoid being cynical but also find a joy that is not naive? How can you find lasting joy in Jesus?
Christmas in my Neighbourhood:
I. Make some cookies and give them to a neighbour.
II. Invite someone over to watch the Grey Cup (The Grey Cup is on December 12).
III. Invite someone to walk through your neighbourhood to look at the Christmas lights and decorations (post a picture of best decorated house in the Advent 2021 Group on Journey’s Facebook page).
Week 4 – December 19-24
Theme: Peace
Readings: Youversion – Bible Project Advent Day 1 and Luke 19-24
Questions to ponder: In the passages, where can you see peace or hints of peace? Contrast the disciples’ emotions and actions before and during Jesus’ crucifixion, and after the resurrection. How did their emotions change once they saw the risen Jesus? How does Jesus’ death and resurrection give you peace?
Christmas Movie: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Discussion Questions:
1. Are you more like the Grinch, or the residents of Whoville during Christmastime?
2. Do you ever feel like the Grinch and want to get rid of all the stuff you have to buy, and things you have to do at Christmas? Do you find Christmas too chaotic, and think not having it will bring you peace?
3. In the end, The Grinch realizes that Christmas is about more than just gifts, decorations, and all the stuff we think we have to have and do at Christmas, and he celebrates Christmas with the residents of Whoville. What do you need to get rid of to make Christmas less chaotic? What do you need to make Christmas more about so that you can have a more peaceful and celebratory Christmas this year?
Christmas in my Neighbourhood:
I. Invite someone over to wrap Christmas presents together.
II. Invite someone to go carolling through your neighbourhood.