Discovery Place is ready to meet your needs for resources for small groups or Sunday School classes. The first Sunday of Advent is Thanksgiving weekend, so start thinking now about a study for Advent! Order early to avoid disappointment, as quantities are limited.
New to Discovery Place since last year:
Almost
Christmas: A Wesleyan Advent Experience, by Magrey R DeVega, Ingrid
McIntyre, April Casperson, Matt Rawle. These four authors connect our Wesleyan
heritage with the traditional Advent themes of Peace, Hope, Love, and Joy. 4
sessions.
The
Wonder of Christmas,
by Ed Robb, Rob Renfroe, Bert Snyder, Susan Kent. The true wonder of Christmas
is explored through four elements of the Christmas story: a star, a name, a
manger, and a promise. 4 sessions.
Resources
that include an Advent Study and a Lent Study:
(Borrow now and return after
Easter.)
The Case for Christmas/The Case for Easter, by Lee Strobel. Strobel reveals what he discovered as he sought to separate the holiday from the holy day, the facts from the fantasy, and the truth from the tradition. 4 sessions in each study.
Who Needs Christmas/Why Easter
Matters, by Andy Stanley. Dig into the details of the familiar
stories of Christmas and Easter. 4 sessions in each study.
Because of Bethlehem/He Chose the
Nails, by Max Lucado. In the
Advent study Lucado explores how the One who made everything chose to make Himself
nothing and come into our world. The Lenten study examines the gifts that
Christ gave at his crucifixion: the cross, the thorns, the nails, and the empty
tomb. 4 sessions for Advent, 5 sessions for Lent.
General Advent Resources:
Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas, by Adam Hamilton. Jesus was known by many other names throughout his life. Learn the meaning behind the names of Christ and the difference He makes in our lives this Christmas. 4 sessions. (Also available – study books for children and youth.)
Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph, by Adam Hamilton. As the earthly father of Jesus,
Joseph’s place in the Nativity story is sometimes overlooked, but contains
valuable lessons for all of us. 4
sessions. (Also available – study books
for children and youth.)
All I Want for Christmas: Opening the Gifts of God's Grace, by James Moore. In the spirit of Christmas, we give and receive gifts, remembering the greatest Christmas gift of all: God's gift of the Christ Child, our Savior. 5 sessions.
The
Redemption of Scrooge,
by Matt Rawle. Based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, this study
explores the world of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and the Cratchits, with an
eye to Christian faith. 4 sessions. (Also available – study book for youth.)
Finding Bethlehem in the Midst of Bedlam, by James Moore. This study explores how God comes to us amid chaos and how we can be the light that the world seeks, especially during the Christmas Season. Bethlehem or bedlam…which will you choose this year? 5 sessions.
Many
other options for Advent can be found on our website, www.discovery-place.org. Click on ONLINE CATALOG and do an
advanced search by topic Christmas/Advent. Place an order directly from the catalog, call
us at 717-766-7968, or e-mail discovery@susumc.org.
God’s blessings to you as we celebrate the
upcoming seasons of thankfulness, joy, and hope!
Serving
Christ with you,
Joni
Robison
