Question of the Week

Reading I Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 - Ezra reads the law
Reading II 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 - Analogy of the body
Gospel Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21 - Beginning of Jesus' preaching
Key Passage Jesus unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor” (Luke 4:17b–18a).

Adults: What do you believe that the anointing you received at baptism requires you to do?

Kids: What could you do this week for someone who has less than you?

Reading I Isaiah 62:1-5 - Jerusalem the Lord's bride
Reading II 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Variety and unity
Gospel John 2:1-11 - The wedding at Cana
Key Passage When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” (Jn. 2:3)

Adults: When have you stepped in, as Mary did at Cana, to try and make a difficult situation easier for someone?

Kids: What can you do this week to help make someone's job a little easier?

Reading I Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 - The servant of the Lord
Reading II Acts 10:34-38 - Peter's discourse; the good news of peace
Gospel Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 - Baptism of Jesus
Key Passage And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:2)

Adults: Do you think that God was "well pleased" by your actions in recent weeks? Why?

Kids: What good thing could you do this week that would be pleasing to God?

Reading I Isaiah 60:1-6 - Glory of the new Zion
Reading II Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 - Commission to preach God's plan
Gospel Matthew 2:1-12 - The visit of the magi
Key Passage Then Herod sent the [magi] to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." (Matthew 2:8)

Adults: When have you been jealous or fearful of another person? When are such feelings harmful?

Kids: When have you been jealous because something good happened to another person instead of you? What is the problem with feeling that way?

Reading I 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28 - Samuel's birth
Reading II 1 John 3:1-2,21-24 - We are children of God
Gospel Luke 2:41-52 - The boy Jesus in the Temple
Key Passage Jesus went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. (Luke 2:51a)

Adults: How would you have reacted if you were Mary and Joseph finding Jesus in the Temple?

Kids: What do you think it was like for Jesus to be in the Temple for three days without his parents?

Reading I Micah 5:1-4a - Restoration through the messiah
Reading II Hebrews 10:5-10 - The second covenant
Gospel Luke 1:39-45 - The visit to Elizabeth
Key Passage Elizabeth said, “Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” (Luke 1:45)

Adults: When was it hardest for you to trust in God's plan for you, as Mary did? What can help you at such times?

Kids: When is it hardest for you to obey a parent or teacher? What can help you obey with more trust?

Reading I Zephaniah 3:14-18a - Promise of a savior
Reading II Philippians 4:4-7 - Joy and peace
Gospel Luke 3:10-18 - John calls the people to justice
Key Passage Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say,Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. (Philippians 4:4–5)

Adults: What might John the Baptist challenge you to do differently in your life?

Kids: Do you have extras that you can share with others this week?

Reading I Baruch 5:1-9 - Jerusalem consoled
Reading II Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11 - Gratitude and hope
Gospel Luke 3:1-6 - John the Baptist
Key Passage “John went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Luke 3:3)

Adults: In what areas of your life do you need God's forgiveness right now? What Advent practice would assist you in expressing your repentance?

Kids: What do you want to ask God to forgive you for? What can you do during Advent to show you are sorry?

Reading I Jeremiah 33:14-16 Restoration of Jerusalem
Reading II 1 Thess. 3:12–4:2 Plea for growth in holiness
Gospel Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 Coming of the son of man
Key Passage Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21:36)

Adults: What have been the strengths of your prayer life? What habit of prayer could you strengthen during this Advent season?

Kids: What prayers will you say each day and each week during Advent?

Reading I Daniel 7:13-14 - Daniel's vision of one like the Son of man
Reading II Revelation 1:5-8 - Praise to Jesus Christ
Gospel John 18:33b-37 - The blood and water
Key Passage To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation: 1:5b–6)

Adults: In what ways is Jesus the ruler of your life?

Kids: How can you show that you honor Jesus as the king of your life?

Reading I Daniel 12:1-3 - Daniel's conclusion to the apocalypse
Reading II Hebrews 10:11-14, 18 - Christ's eternal sacrifice
Gospel Mark 13:24-32 - The Second Coming
Key Passage Jesus said, “Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.” (Mark 13:33)

Adults: What would you be doing differently in your life if you truly believed you would meet Christ soon?

Kids: What would you do for others today if you thought you would not have another chance to do it?

Reading I 1 Kings 17:10-16 - Elijah and the widow
Reading II Hebrew 9:24-28 - The sacrifice of Jesus
Gospel Mark 12:38-44 - Hypocrisy of the scribes, and the widow's mite
Key Passage Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43–44)

Adults: What are you willing to give out of love for God thatwould be a hardship for you?

Kids: What would you be willing to give up for someoneelse?

Reading I Deuteronomy 6:2-6 The Great Commandment
Reading II Hebrews 7:23-28 Jesus, the eternal high priest
Gospel Mark 12:28b-34 The Greatest Commandment
Key Passage [The scribe] asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’” (Mark 12:28–30)

Adults: Why is love of neighbor as important as love of God?

Kids: When do you show that you love God and your neighbor with your whole heart?