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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