Week 1 - Advent
Mark 1:1-8
John the Baptist
The beginning of the good news "of Jesus Christ, the Son of God"
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,"
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,"
who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with" water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
John the Baptist
The beginning of the good news "of Jesus Christ, the Son of God"
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,"
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,"
who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with" water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Monday
Enter the Bible
The site was created by Luther Seminary to provide an opportunity for anyone to explore the Word more deeply. Enter the Bible provides a look at the different times of the Bible, as well as extra resources such as videos, maps, etc.
Each week, you will have a chance to use this resource and read more about the books and verses of the Bible we are looking at. To help with this, there are a series of questions that you will use the Enter the Bible site to answer. This also gives a chance for parents to be involved- asking them questions and/or inviting them to join in the search for the answers.
This week, the book we are looking at is Mark.
Step 1 - Go to enterthebible.org
Step 2 - Click on the link to the book of Mark
Step 3 - Explore the material available to answer the questions below.
Where is the book of Mark in the Bible?
Who wrote it?
Who was Mark written to?
What are the verses you read trying to say? (Mark 1:1-8)
What are three things that have helped you better understand the verses?
How can you take what you have learned, and apply it to your own life?
The site was created by Luther Seminary to provide an opportunity for anyone to explore the Word more deeply. Enter the Bible provides a look at the different times of the Bible, as well as extra resources such as videos, maps, etc.
Each week, you will have a chance to use this resource and read more about the books and verses of the Bible we are looking at. To help with this, there are a series of questions that you will use the Enter the Bible site to answer. This also gives a chance for parents to be involved- asking them questions and/or inviting them to join in the search for the answers.
This week, the book we are looking at is Mark.
Step 1 - Go to enterthebible.org
Step 2 - Click on the link to the book of Mark
Step 3 - Explore the material available to answer the questions below.
Where is the book of Mark in the Bible?
Who wrote it?
Who was Mark written to?
What are the verses you read trying to say? (Mark 1:1-8)
What are three things that have helped you better understand the verses?
How can you take what you have learned, and apply it to your own life?
Tuesday
Advent = Hope. Watch the video to learn more.
Food For Thought
Advent is a time of waiting. We don’t always think of waiting as fun. We don’t get really excited about standing in line at the grocery store or sitting in the waiting room at the dentist office. In the video, we hear about a boy waiting to get his first instrument. What have you waited for with excitement?
In Advent, as we wait for the coming of Christ into the world, we are not only waiting to remember the day that Jesus was born, we are also waiting for Jesus to enter the hearts of all of God’s children, and waiting for the future day when Jesus will come again. Our lives as we wait for those things are not always excited. And we often wish that what we are waiting for will come faster. But during the time that we wait we are able to prepare, and it is during that time that we get to experience the joy and yearning of hope.
Advent is a time of waiting. We don’t always think of waiting as fun. We don’t get really excited about standing in line at the grocery store or sitting in the waiting room at the dentist office. In the video, we hear about a boy waiting to get his first instrument. What have you waited for with excitement?
In Advent, as we wait for the coming of Christ into the world, we are not only waiting to remember the day that Jesus was born, we are also waiting for Jesus to enter the hearts of all of God’s children, and waiting for the future day when Jesus will come again. Our lives as we wait for those things are not always excited. And we often wish that what we are waiting for will come faster. But during the time that we wait we are able to prepare, and it is during that time that we get to experience the joy and yearning of hope.
Wednesday
Praying in Color
Praying in color is a wonderful opportunity to speak with God that was introduced by Sybil Macbeth. In her book, she explained a time in her life where she felt unable to focus on the prayers she had for herself and others and so began writing names and doodling around them. She then found, after her 'doodle' was finished, that she had been praying throughout the doodles. If you are interested in learning more, check out her website here or purchase the book, Praying in Color by Sybil Macbeth. Another site for some wonderful examples and ideas is the Praying in Color blog.
Each week, there will be a day to explore a unique way of praying that also incorporates either the key verse from the day or simply from the Bible passage. An example will be provided to give you a visual idea (see below). If you want to send in a copy of your Praying in Color picture, you can email it to [email protected] or mail it to:
Luther Point Bible Camp
Attn: Praying in Color
11525 Luther Point Road
Grantsburg, WI 54840
These will be used throughout the summer months as a chance for campers to see their own work as well as others.
For praying in color today, you have a chance to explore one of the words from Ephesians 4:1-6.
Step 1 - Take one word from the Bible passage, and meditate over that word.
Step 2 - Create phrases, or simply think about different ways the word can be used in your faith and in any other life situation.
Step 3 - As you think about the phrases you wrote, draw around them, adding lines, shapes, and colors.
Praying in color is a wonderful opportunity to speak with God that was introduced by Sybil Macbeth. In her book, she explained a time in her life where she felt unable to focus on the prayers she had for herself and others and so began writing names and doodling around them. She then found, after her 'doodle' was finished, that she had been praying throughout the doodles. If you are interested in learning more, check out her website here or purchase the book, Praying in Color by Sybil Macbeth. Another site for some wonderful examples and ideas is the Praying in Color blog.
Each week, there will be a day to explore a unique way of praying that also incorporates either the key verse from the day or simply from the Bible passage. An example will be provided to give you a visual idea (see below). If you want to send in a copy of your Praying in Color picture, you can email it to [email protected] or mail it to:
Luther Point Bible Camp
Attn: Praying in Color
11525 Luther Point Road
Grantsburg, WI 54840
These will be used throughout the summer months as a chance for campers to see their own work as well as others.
For praying in color today, you have a chance to explore one of the words from Ephesians 4:1-6.
Step 1 - Take one word from the Bible passage, and meditate over that word.
Step 2 - Create phrases, or simply think about different ways the word can be used in your faith and in any other life situation.
Step 3 - As you think about the phrases you wrote, draw around them, adding lines, shapes, and colors.
Thursday
Bible Verse Bucket
What You Need Jar/ can/mini pail or bucket/flower pot Craft sticks/popsicle sticks Colored paper, buttons, ribbon (for decorating) Markers Scissors Double sided tape/adhesive Bible |
Directions 1. Cut out decorative paper and write Bible Verse Bucket. Attach to the front of bucket with double-sided tape. Feel free to decorate the rest of the bucket as well. 2. Write bible verses on the craft sticks, one verse or passage for each stick. i.e. 1 John 4:16, etc. You can ask your parents, grandparents, other family, friends, Sunday school teachers, and other people what their favorite bible verse are and you can write those on the sticks too. 3. Place sticks in bucket! Take one stick out of the bucket each day and read the verse on it. Talk about the verse with your dad, or sister, or friend! You can add new sticks whenever you want, or change all of the sticks throughout the year. |
Friday
Service Project
Acts of Kindness
The Bible is full of stories about the unexpected things that people do in order to help others. Sometimes the best thing you can do for someone is give a smile to brighten their day. As the saying goes, "Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It may be the only sunshine they see all day."
Below will be a couple different links to lists of random acts of kindness that you can use. Or you can make your own! Just spend some time trying to brighten the days of other people, whether you know them of not. That kindness is the perfect way to let someone know that they are loved.
101 Random Acts of Kindness
20 Good Deeds You Can Do
Top 70 Random Acts of Kindness Ideas