God is with us in Word and Sacrament

Advent Bible Challenge

Advent is a time of preparation. During Advent, we prepare for our Lord’s coming to us because the word Advent means “coming.” We prepare for Jesus’ first coming in the flesh to be our Savior. We prepare for His second coming when He will deliver us from this valley of sorrows and take us to Himself in heaven on the last day. We prepare for His continual coming to us in His Word and Sacrament and seek to recognize Him as He is revealed to us in them.

It is fitting, then, that during this time we would set aside time for extra prayer and study of the Bible. There are twenty-four chapters in the Book of Luke. If you read one chapter a day, beginning December 1, you will have studied the entire life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus by Christmas Eve. What better way to prepare for the coming of our Lord?

So here’s the challenge: We’re going to read one chapter of Luke each day of December, starting on December 1, so that by Christmas Eve, we have completed the Book of Luke. The table on the back is to help you know what to read and when. This table lists the date, the reading, and the prayers for each of those days. The prayers are based upon what you will have read in Luke for that day. In your prayer, you thank God for what is listed, and then you ask Him to do what is listed. It is an ancient form of prayer using the Bible as your springboard into prayer.

Here is a brief form that you can follow to help you order this time of preparation:

Make the sign of the holy cross and say:

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Read the Scripture reading appointed for the day.

Say the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer.

Pray the prayer for that day.

And that’s it. You might also write down questions that come up while you are reading. Every Bible Class, Pastor begins with questions that people have. You could ask those questions there.

Are you up for the challenge? If so, the Board of Christian Education asks you to sign up on the pledge sheet in the Narthex (the back of the church). Why sign up? Because if you commit by putting your name down, you are more likely to carry it out. So, sign up, and see who else is with you. Encourage one another as you make your way through. We’re in this together! And may the Word of God that you read this Advent prepare you for His first coming in the flesh, His second coming to take us to Himself in the resurrection at the end, and His continual coming in his holy Word and blessed Sacraments.

You can download the chart by clicking the title below, or you can keep this post open in your phone’s web browser and work off of it.

Advent Bible Challenge Schedule

Date Reading

Prayer

Sun, Dec 1, 2019 Luke 1 Thank: that we have certainty about what we have been taught

Ask: that this certainty, through study, will increase

Mon, Dec 2, 2019 Luke 2 Thank: that we have a Savior from sin, death, and the devil

Ask: that we would grow in wisdom and favor with God and men

Tue, Dec 3, 2019 Luke 3 Thank: that, through Baptism, we are God’s children

Ask: that our lives and conversation would reflect this reality

Wed, Dec 4, 2019 Luke 4 Thank: that, through the Word, we have help in temptation

Ask: that Jesus would heal those in need

Thu, Dec 5, 2019 Luke 5 Thank: that Jesus has called us to be His disciples

Ask: that we would follow Him more fervently in His Word

Fri, Dec 6, 2019 Luke 6 Thank: for the Sabbath rest we have in Christ and His Word

Ask: that we would build everything upon Christ our Rock

Sat, Dec 7, 2019 Luke 7 Thank: for the forgiveness of sins

Ask: for faith to forgive others as we have been forgiven in Christ

Sun, Dec 8, 2019 Luke 8 Thank: that His Word calms the storms of our lives

Ask: that His Word, planted in our hearts, would yield good fruit

Mon, Dec 9, 2019 Luke 9 Thank: that Jesus is the Christ of God

Ask: that we bear our cross with patience and trust as we follow Him

Tue, Dec 10, 2019 Luke 10 Thank: for the teaching of God’s will in the Bible

Ask: that we rejoice in the will of God and seek the one needful thing

Wed, Dec 11, 2019 Luke 11 Thank: for the sign of Jonah, which is Jesus’ death and resurrection

Ask: that we be blessed by God’s Word and keep it

Thu, Dec 12, 2019 Luke 12 Thank: that we are worth more than sparrows to God

Ask: that we have the courage to acknowledge Jesus before men

Fri, Dec 13, 2019 Luke 13 Thank: for God’s teaching on repentance

Ask: that we not perish but repent and be saved

Sat, Dec 14, 2019 Luke 14 Thank: that God exalts those who are lowly

Ask: that we renounce all that might get in the way of following Him

Sun, Dec 15, 2019 Luke 15 Thank: for the angels who protect us and rejoice at our repentance

Ask: that, when lost in sin, God would find us and bring us home

Mon, Dec 16, 2019 Luke 16 Thank: for the gift of marriage and family

Ask: that we would be faithful to God’s Word in our families

Tue, Dec 17, 2019 Luke 17 Thank: for the gift of pastors who warn us of temptations to sin

Ask: that, through Word and Sacrament, our faith would increase

Wed, Dec 18, 2019 Luke 18 Thank: that He hears our pleas for mercy and our prayers

Ask: that we not lose hope when it seems He like he is ignoring us

Thu, Dec 19, 2019 Luke 19 Thank: for God’s compassion on sinners

Ask: that, through God’s Word, salvation would come and remain in our home

Fri, Dec 20, 2019 Luke 20 Thank: for good government

Ask: that we do our civic duty joyfully as though we were serving You

Sat, Dec 21, 2019 Luke 21 Thank: for Christ’s constant coming in Word and Sacrament

Ask: that, by faith and trust in God, we would give as the widow gave

Sun, Dec 22, 2019 Luke 22 Thank: for the Lord’s Supper and all its gifts

Ask: that we would see our need for it and desire it often

Mon, Dec 23, 2019 Luke 23 Thank: for the death of Jesus which paid for all our sin

Ask: that we die in faith commending our spirit into the Father’s hands

Tue, Dec 24, 2019 Luke 24 Thank: for the resurrection of Jesus and of all those who die in faith

Ask: that we recognize Jesus as He is revealed in Scripture and in the breaking of the bread

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