Question of the Week

Reading I 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 - Saul's life spared; Saul admits his guilt
Reading II 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 - The natural and the spiritual body
Gospel Luke 6:27-38 - Love of one's enemy
Key Passage Jesus said, “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:27–28)

Adults: What has allowed you to overcome obstacles and forgive someone who has hurt you?

Kids: When has it been hard to forgive someone who hurt you? What did you do?

Reading I Jeremiah 17:5-8 - True wisdom
Reading II 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20 - The resurrection and faith
Gospel Luke 6:17, 20-26 - The great discourse
Key Passage Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:20)

Adults: In what way are you serving the poor, as Jesus did?

Kids: When have you helped bring God's love to someone who was sad, or hungry, or whom others made fun of?

Reading I Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8 - Call of Isaiah
Reading II 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 - Christ's resurrection
Gospel Luke 5:1-11 - Call of the first disciples
Key Passage Simon Peter fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” (Luke 5:8,10b)

Adults: When have you felt inadequate to a task or role you were given? How did you respond?

Kids: When have you been asked to do something you felt might be too hard for you? What did you do?

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?