Advent gives us a rich opportunity to come together around Scripture in our churches. For four weeks, we anticipate and prepare for Jesus’s arrival and return.

This is both an internal and external process. We each look in our own hearts, readying ourselves to receive Jesus in his humility as a newborn baby and in his triumph as the Lord returning in glory. But we also look around us, at our nation and world. As a church, we listen to John the Baptist’s cry in the wilderness, “Prepare a road for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!” (Matthew 3:3). Then we join together and respond. How can we clear the path that Jesus will walk down? How can we call forth God’s kingdom on earth? How can this begin in each of us individually, as churches, as nations?

The following Lectio Divina reflections will help guide you through this process. This method of prayerfully reading Scripture has been used by centuries within various church traditions. If you’re not familiar with this process, the Advent season is a great time to learn it. (This page has some helpful resources to get you started.)

Lectio Divina is not about study or exposition. The goal is to spend time with God, to hear from God together. Your small group leaders may appreciate the method not least because it requires so little preparation to facilitate an encounter with God in Scripture.

Read each week’s assigned passage in a small group at your church. Then follow the four steps to read, reflect, pray, and contemplate Scripture. Read the passage aloud as part of each of the first two steps. Listen without commenting to any responses from group members on hearing the passage. And don’t rush!

May this season of expectancy be refreshing for you—and your small groups.

First Sunday of Advent

Romans 13:11-14

1. Lectio: What was going on in the church of Rome at the time of Paul’s letter? How does Paul contrast light and dark?
2. Meditatio: How can you prepare for Jesus’s arrival? What would it look to live in the light individually, as a church, as a city, and as a nation?
3. Oratio: God, wake us from our sleep and prepare us for the light of day. Amen.
4. Contemplatio: Make the room dark and light a candle. Sit quietly as you rest in God’s divine light.

Second Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 11:1-5

1. Lectio: What is happening in the royal line of David at the time of this prophecy? How will this new king’s rule be different from the other judges and kings Israel has lived under? What key words describe this king’s reign?
2. Meditatio: What is your definition of justice? How should we live out biblical justice personally, as a church, as a city, or as a nation?
3. Oratio: God, let us live under your rule of justice in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Amen.
4. Contemplatio: Think of an oppressed people group in our nation. Take turns naming them out loud as a group, followed by a time of silence to hold them before God.

Third Sunday of Advent

James 5:7-10

1. Lectio: What examples does James give for practicing patience? What images, biblical characters? How does James say we should practice patience?
2. Meditatio: When have you had to exercise patience? How can the hope of Jesus’s coming give you endurance?
3. Oratio: God, give us patient endurance as we await your coming in glory. Amen.
4. Contemplatio: Practice patience as a group by sitting in silence. If your mind starts to wander, focus on the word “patience” to re-anchor your thoughts.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Romans 1:2-6

1. Lectio: How does Paul describe God’s Good News? When was it first promised? How did Jesus fulfill God’s promise, bringing good news? Who is included in God’s promise?
2. Meditatio: How is Jesus’s arrival good news for you, the church, our city, and our nation? Do you believe you are included in God’s promise?
3. Oratio: God, thank you that through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection we can all be led to believe and obey God’s promise. Amen.
4. Contemplatio: Sit quietly together and close your eyes. Imagine holding Jesus the newborn baby. Receive God’s promise in your heart as you cradle him in your arms.