Description

This the full version of this resource which includes Sermon Starters, Liturgies, Small Group Guides and Daily Devotionals. For the personal devotional version (which includes only the Daily Devotional Guides and the Small Group Guides) see below.

Download a Sample here.

Advent is more than just a time of preparation for Christmas. It is a season of remembering in which we are reminded of the great saving arc of God’s dream for the universe.

In four short weeks

• we look ahead to the time of consummation in which God’s purposes for the cosmos will be fulfilled and completed, and all things are made one and whole in Christ;
• we look back to the preaching of the prophets, right up to John the Baptiser;
• we look into a moment in history when Jesus lived and preached as a sign of God’s Reign;
• And we look into our own hearts to discover how the ordinary details of our lives can reveal God’s dream in our own time and place.

In the Revised Common Lectionary, Year A explores, in the Old Testament, the preaching of Isaiah, and in the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew. Using Isaiah as the springboard, this resource brings the Old and New Testament together to explore the meaning and impact of God’s dream for our world in the 21st century.

An Advent Journey through Isaiah & Matthew

Advent is more than just a time of preparation for Christmas. It is a season of remembering in which we are reminded of the great saving arc of God’s dream for the universe.

In four short weeks:

• we look ahead to the time of consummation in which God’s purposes for the cosmos will be fulfilled and completed, and all things are made one and whole in Christ;
• we look back to the preaching of the prophets, right up to John the Baptiser;
• we look into a moment in history when Jesus lived and preached as a sign of God’s Reign;
• and we look into our own hearts to discover how the ordinary details of our lives can reveal God’s dream in our own time and place.

In the Revised Common Lectionary, Year A explores, in the Old Testament, the preaching of Isaiah, and in the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew.

Using Isaiah as the springboard, this resource brings the Old and New Testament together to explore the meaning and impact of God’s dream for our world in the 21st century.

Here’s an overview of what you can expect in Living the Dream

Advent Sunday – Catching the Dream

What does God’s dream for the world look like? How do we allow this dream to guide us through a world in turmoil? What personal swords and spears do we need transformed into plowshares and pruning hooks?

Advent 2 – The Dream Maker

In the face of crises in leadership, how does God’s chosen leader lead? What does it mean for him to baptise us in the Holy Spirit and Fire, and how do we learn from him to be godly leaders in our own small spheres of influence?

Advent 3 – Dream Walking

Does God’s dream require more of us than we are able to give? Can it only be achieved through dramatic, miraculous actions, or is it revealed in small, ordinary acts of mutual care, support and love? How can we live as a community in which God’s dream begins to be a reality for us?

Advent 4 – Dream Signs

Is the Gospel story just about Jesus doing everything for us while we stand by and watch as we wait for heaven? Or is Jesus a sign of God’s dream which is already at work among us? What if we are called to embrace the sign, and live the values of God’s dream in every moment so that we, too, can be a sign of God’s Reign to those around us?

The “Living the Dream” Full Resource includes:

• Sermon Starters based on Isaiah and Matthew for each week;
• Liturgies for each Sunday, including suggestions for preparing the worship space, the Hanging of the Greens, Advent Wreath Candle Lighting prayers & a special Advent Liturgy for Holy Communion;
• Small Group Guidelines, including gathering & worship suggestions and discussion questions;
• Daily devotional guides including readings, reflections, daily practices and breath prayers.

Please note: Permission to photocopy the daily devotionals and/or small group guidelines for congregational use is included in your purchase of the full resource.

The “Living the Dream” Devotional Version only includes the Daily Devotional Guides and Small Group Guides. 

NOTE: Photocopying or distribution of the devotional resource is not permitted, as it is intended for personal devotional use.