Adult Education

Adults often seek more intentional devotion and study during the Advent season. From the moment the prophet’s words resound, “Prepare ye the way,” many are called to find meaningful ways to be ready for the Christ child and to hear God speak in new ways.

Adults respond to this hunger when congregations offer short-term studies specific to the season or form small groups for the exploration of spiritual disciplines that support simplicity for busy days ahead.

Good News for All: The Gospel of Luke

Luke’s Gospel is uniquely inclusive, involving all people. The good news is for the outcast and the establishment, for the religious and those searching. Luke speaks to women, to men, to the strong and healthy, to the weak and dispossessed. Its relevance today inspires faith, spirituality, and action. Fourteen parts.

Leader’s Guide by Carol Miller
Item# 1882236297

Introduction to Luke

We really don’t know much about Luke except what we can glean from the tradition. Ancient tradition says that he was one of Paul’s followers, who is named in Philemon 24 as Paul’s “fellow worker” and as “the beloved physician” in Colossians 4:14. The early church fathers accepted this designation for Luke and classed him as a legitimate author of a Gospel because he was Paul’s disciple.

Luke was not an objective historian or biographer. A Gospel is not that kind of book. Rather, a Gospel is an interpretation of the facts of Jesus’ life in light of what the author thinks was God’s purpose in sending the Son into the world. That’s why we are looking in this study at some of Luke’s special interests. They are doubtless true reflections of Jesus’ teaching and actions, but Luke lifts them up as keys to knowing Jesus and living the Christian life.

Available at The Thoughtful Christian .

Sharing Advent with Orthodox Christians

Prepare O Bethlehem: Reflections on the Scripture Readings for the Christmas-Epiphany Season

by William Mills (Orthodox Research Institute, 2005; 140 pages; $13.95, paper)

When does Advent season begin? Most Christians reared in the Western tradition would quickly respond that it begins four Sundays before December 25, which means that the exact date of its beginning varies according to where December 25 falls in the week. But in the Orthodox tradition, Advent begins on November 15.

Father Mills, a rector and adjunct professor in Charlotte, N.C., explains the shape of Advent and the Christmas season according to his Orthodox tradition, including the four liturgical parts of the season following the Nativity as well. Many Christians will discover in this explanation an opportunity to deepen their own understanding of the season.

Read the rest of this Presbyterians Today PT Media Pick.

Advent Study Packs

The Thoughtful Christian offers two Advent Studies this year. The new adult Advent study is by well-known author Erik Kolbell. “Rejoice! Reflections on Four Seasonal Hymns” offers excellent information and devotion for groups.

For the first time they've produced an Advent study for Youth Groups. “Preparing the Way: An Advent Study for Youth” by youth ministry leader Adam Fischer focuses on four themes of Advent. Each week a number of activities will help youth understand and integrate Advent themes into their daily lives.

Available at The Thoughtful Christian.

We Believe

These seven We Believe sessions take you from the prophets and the Word becoming flesh to the baptism of Jesus (traditionally the end of the Epiphany season). They use Advent devotions, Christmas liturgies and questions about what we learn from Jesus' birth to guide the learners.