Leader’s Guide for Advent Studies

Thank you so much for leading our Advent study!

Since your first gathering is before anyone has started the readings, the first meeting will look a little different from the rest. Here’s a simple plan you can follow.

Week One: How to Begin the Study

1. Create a warm, welcoming atmosphere
Feel free to serve tea or something simple.
This first meeting is a great time to slow down and settle in.
You can also start with a light ‘get to know you’ activity—nothing complicated, just something to help everyone feel comfortable. Even a simple question like “What’s one thing you’re looking forward to this Christmas season?” works well.

2. Open with prayer
Invite the Lord to prepare your hearts as you begin the Advent season together.

3. Give a brief overview of how the study works
Explain that this is a 28-day journey designed to help us focus on Jesus during a busy season.
Each day includes a short reading, a Scripture passage, and a reflection question.
Encourage everyone to approach this with grace—not perfection.

4. Watch the Week One video together (or summarize it)
The video will be available on Tuesday. If you have subscribed, it will be sent to your inbox. You can also find it on youtube..
You can play it during your meeting or watch it ahead of time and highlight the main points.
This helps set the direction for the week.

5. Read one or two Scriptures from Days 1–7
Day 1 is a great starting point.
Have someone read it aloud, and briefly point out a theme they’ll notice this week—such as God meeting us in the ordinary moments.

6. Explain what Week One will look like
At this meeting, make sure everyone knows how they’ll receive the study:

• If they’ve purchased the book from Amazon, they can follow along using their copy.

• If they’re printing it from the site, ensure they have the website information and encourage them to print one week at a time so it’s easy to manage.

• If you’ve printed copies for the group, you can hand out Days 1–7 tonight so everyone starts together.

Choose whatever works best for your group. The main goal is simply to make sure everyone has access to Days 1–7 before they head home.

7. Leave room for questions
This helps the group feel comfortable and confident moving forward.

8. Close with prayer

Weekly Meetings (Starting Week Two and Onward)

Here’s the rhythm for the remaining weeks:

1. Open with prayer

2. Watch the new weekly video together
This helps everyone start with the same focus.
(There is no video for the final week.)

3. Discuss the previous week’s readings
Choose 2–3 questions or themes to focus on.

4. Share personal highlights
Ask simple questions like:

• What stood out to you?

• How did God encourage you this week?

• Was there a verse that stayed with you?

5. Introduce the next 7 days
Hand out the next section of the study and briefly preview the coming theme.

6. Close with prayer

Final Week Reminder

There is no weekly video for the final meeting.

Use this time to discuss the previous week’s readings and reflect on what God has done throughout the study.

A Final Word of Encouragement

You are planting seeds of eternal value.
Your faithfulness—even in the small moments—makes a difference.

As 1 Peter 4:10 reminds us:
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (NIV)

Thank you for saying yes to His call.
We are praying for you and cheering you on!