Advent

“Advent” is a word that means “arrival” and in the Christian calendar it usually refers to the four Sundays leading up to Christmas where we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  The four Sundays of Advent are sometimes marked by the lighting of Advent candles to represent the themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.  This year, for our Advent sermon series at Vista we discuss each of these themes.

Here is the Advent reading plan if you want more throughout your week!

Love- December 22nd

No recap questions this week. 

Peace - December 15th

One day all the nations will be drawn to God by the beauty of God's peace, so why do we resist that peace so much now? And what is the greatest obstacle to you living a life of peace? It's you. Becoming a person at peace with yourself is the key to becoming someone who can share God's peace with others.

Questions/Discussions:
1. What would you have said are obstacle to your peace prior to today's sermon?
2. Read Isaiah 2:1-4. What does Isaiah have to say about peace?
3. What do you need to do to receive the gift of peace today and become a person at peace with yourself? Austin reminded us that Jesus taught a whole lot more about sorting ourselves out than sorting others out.
4. How can you spread God's peace to the people around you?

Action Step: Join the reading plan or choose another Advent study to intentionally prepare your heart for celebrating the brith of Jesus!


Joy - December 8th

Watch the sermon here!

What brings you joy? Where do you find joy? These are great questions. We often assume that things we enjoy will produce in us more joy. However, scripture seems to indicate that obedience, even to things we don't always feel like doing, is actually what produces more joy in our lives. In other words... the things that produce more true joy in us are not always enjoyable in the moment. So, the question really is... what are the things God has asked us to do that will produce more joy in our lives?

Questions/Discussions:
1. Where do you find joy? What brings you joy? (be real, not just the "Jesus" answer)
2. Read John 15:10-11. How does Jesus say we find joy?
3. Are there any areas in Vista's discipleship pathway (worship, connect, give, serve, go) that you need to walk in deeper obedience?
4. Are you living in the true joy that Jesus provides for you? If your answer is no, why not? (Spend time praying for those in your group who are seeking true joy)

Action Step: Join the reading plan or choose another Advent study to intentionally prepare your heart for celebrating the brith of Jesus!

Hope - December 1st

As believers, we know that our HOPE is found, or should be found, in Jesus. But what is HOPE? Where does this emotion come from? And why is it so important in the life of a believer?

Questions/Discussions:
1. Read Romans 8:18-39. What stands out to you about hope in this text?
2. Dave talked about three "ingredients" for hope. The first was a profound frustration at the way things are. What is causing you to grown like Romans 8 talks about reminding you of your need for Jesus?
3. The second "ingredient" is eager anticipation of what will be. How are you eagerly anticipating? Are you hoping in earthly things or eternity?
4. The final "ingredient" is confident expectation that God will fulfill his promise. Do you live with a hope that God can be trusted?

Action Step: Join the reading plan or choose another Advent study to intentionally prepare your heart for celebrating the brith of Jesus!