Advent small group reflection - The Meaning is in the Waiting (Gooder)
By
Jen Kidwell
This is a small group study to accompany Paula Gooder's Advent book The Meaning is in the Waiting. The book is organized so that it can be a daily reader, but there are no structured questions for small group reflection. These discussion questions and expanded section based on the Introduction of the book provide a plug-and-go option for small groups looking for meaningful reflection and scripture engagement during Advent. The four chapters engage categories of texts not always included in Advent: the Abraham and Sarah cycle, the prophets, John the Baptist, and Mary (including events following the birth narrative). Gooder highlights many texts about each of these figures that aren't traditionally part of the Advent story. It's a wonderful book for group study.
I originally used this study with a group that met weekly for 50-60 minutes. The biggest challenge for this book is that it works best as a 5-week study, not a 4-week study. However, the fourth chapter about Mary could easily occur during the Christmas season as the stories about her cover many events in her life after Jesus’ birth. The Introduction provides a beautiful framing and an opportunity for participants to set an intention and create accountability during the Advent season. I highly recommend stretching the study to five weeks if at all possible in your context.
If you can, I encourage you to follow through with the activity in the Introduction, that is, allowing participants to brainstorm and to choose a “practice of waiting” for their Advent journey. Each week, participants can check in and share about how their practice is shaping their experience of Advent; they learn from each other as well as create accountability for each other. For each of the four chapters, I recommend six questions for discussion and reflection that engage readers with the text and its significance for their lives and the collective life of the church. It’s unlikely a group will get through every question, but there is enough variety that groups can choose their focus as they gravitate toward certain topics.
Purchasing this product is buying a license to share it electroncially or in hard copy with everyone in a given small group.
I originally used this study with a group that met weekly for 50-60 minutes. The biggest challenge for this book is that it works best as a 5-week study, not a 4-week study. However, the fourth chapter about Mary could easily occur during the Christmas season as the stories about her cover many events in her life after Jesus’ birth. The Introduction provides a beautiful framing and an opportunity for participants to set an intention and create accountability during the Advent season. I highly recommend stretching the study to five weeks if at all possible in your context.
If you can, I encourage you to follow through with the activity in the Introduction, that is, allowing participants to brainstorm and to choose a “practice of waiting” for their Advent journey. Each week, participants can check in and share about how their practice is shaping their experience of Advent; they learn from each other as well as create accountability for each other. For each of the four chapters, I recommend six questions for discussion and reflection that engage readers with the text and its significance for their lives and the collective life of the church. It’s unlikely a group will get through every question, but there is enough variety that groups can choose their focus as they gravitate toward certain topics.
Purchasing this product is buying a license to share it electroncially or in hard copy with everyone in a given small group.
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