Study Guide:
ADVENT. Translated this means: Anticipating Jesus’ coming. There is much reason for anticipating His coming, four of which are mentioned in Isaiah 9:6. Today’s sermon will help us focus on Jesus as the Wonderful Counselor.
Pastor Bryce mentioned five practical ways we can experience Jesus as the Wonderful Counselor.
- Because He is with us
With his coming, Jesus ushered in a season of HIS presence in this world. How does it make you feel to know that Jesus is WITH you? Here are a few words you could use: Comforted. Strengthened. Happy. Accompanied. In the space below, add your own words:
- Because He is the Prince of Peace
Being with Jesus should create an aftertaste of peace in our life. What aspect of Jesus, or attribute, instills Peace in you? Look up some names of God. Think of some Bible verses. Now write down how Jesus brings Peace to you personally.
- Because He is predictably faithful
We expect the mailman to bring the mail. What do you expect of Jesus? This season, what would be one non-material gift that you expect of Jesus? Peace over an upcoming situation. Guidance in solving a problem. Serenity in a worrisome surrounding. Share your expectations with your group or friends. Now write down one or two of these “gifts” you expect.
- Because He has provided tools for our help
Second Timothy 3:16 mentions: Teaching, rebuking, correcting, training in righteousness. Let’s make these tools practical here. Think through the questions below, and write the answer in a journal. They might well become your new new-years-resolutions – with Jesus’ help.
- In what area of your life do you need to listen to Jesus the teacher? What do you need to learn?
- In what area is Jesus pointing out wrong in your life? What needs to change?
- In what ways can this change take place? What is the correct thing to do?
- In what ways can you make it a daily habit to train yourself of doing things the right way, God’s way?
- Because His thought are higher than ours
Since WONDERFUL literally means “to marvelous for words to express”, let’s not try to find new words for describing God. I encourage you instead to look up 2-3 worship songs or hymns. A lyric that talks about how wonderful God is. Sing these hymns and worship songs, or use YouTube, Pandora, or Spotify to look for these songs with the lyrics. Now sing along as you praise God
Pastor Daniel
BibleApp
Through the Bible in one Year
Join us in reading through the entire Bible in one year. Each day of this plan guides you through passages from both the Old and New Testaments, allowing you to see connections between the history of our faith, and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Readings average four chapters in length, so it is posible to do. When you use the YouVersion Bible App, you can even have the app read the Bible text to you – very useful when you are in the car or otherwise occupied with your hand.
All you need to do is click the link to the Bible Plan, which should lead you straight to the Bible app. Your two options are now (1) to read the plan on your own, one day at the time. Or (2) you can make it more fun and rewarding, by sharing the plan with one or more friends, and then even “Talk about it”.