ADVENT 2015
Generous God Generous Living Daily reflections for advent and a four session advent course
Generous God – Generous Living Introduction
Welcome to ‘Generous God – Generous Living’, our set of materials for Advent 2015. This booklet contains two different resources: daily meditations for personal or family use, and a four session course which can be used in Homegroups, Study or Prayer Groups. It leads us through Advent and on to Christmas Day. There are several different traditional sets of Advent themes: this year we will be using one in which we consider the Patriarchs, the Prophets, John the Baptist and Mary. But we will be looking at these characters through the lens of God’s generosity, what he gave to them and through them to us, and how we might respond with generosity to God and others. The outline of the course looks like this: Advent Sunday 29th November Monday 30th November Tuesday 1st December Wednesday 2nd December Thursday 3rd December Friday 4th December Saturday 5th December
The Patriarchs Noah Abraham and Sarah Isaac Jacob Joseph Moses
Advent 2 Sunday 6th December Monday 6th December Tuesday 7th December Wednesday 8th December Thursday 9th December Friday 10th December Saturday 11th December
The Prophets Samuel Elijah Jeremiah Miriam Amos Hosea
Advent 3 Sunday 13th December Monday 14th December Tuesday 15th December Wednesday 16th December Thursday 17th December Friday 18th December Saturday 19th December
John the Baptist John’s birth John’s calling John’s preaching John’s teaching John’s decline John’s death
Advent 4 Sunday 20th December Monday 21st December Tuesday 22nd December Wednesday 23rd December Christmas Eve 24th December Christmas Day 25th December
Mary Mary’s Faith Mary’s Praise Mary’s Visit Mary’s Journey Mary’s Offering
The first section, personal and family devotional material, uses five headings each day. Settling – we consciously place ourselves in God’s presence, and use a breathing prayer to focus on him. A breathing prayer is a prayer with two short phrases, the first about God and the second about us, which we repeat slowly several times as we breathe in and out. The classic example is the ‘Jesus Prayer’: (Breathe in slowly) Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, (Breathe out slowly) have mercy on me, a sinner. To use a prayer like this for a minute or two is a good way of slowing down and focussing on God and his presence with us. A different prayer will be suggested for each day, but you may like to stick with just one prayer for the whole journey. Reading – a suggested Bible passage is read, either silently or aloud. You may want to read it again, more slowly, after reading it through once. Thinking – a few questions will help you think more deeply about what the passage might be saying to you, but don’t feel bound too much by these. Feel free to go off in another direction if you feel the Holy Spirit speaking to you from the passage. We will also ask each day how what we have read helps us to be more faithful, confident and joyful as Jesus’ followers. Praying – this is simply talking to God about what you have heard him saying to you, and bringing to him your concerns for his world, his church, and individuals. This is tied in to the Diocesan Prayer Diary, so for each day we are asked to pray for a particular area of our Diocese. You may also want to use our Diocesan Prayer each day, which is printed inside the back cover of this booklet. Doing – the use of these Advent resources will remain nothing more than an interesting exercise if we do nothing with what we have discovered. So each day there is a suggested activity in which we show generosity in some way. The hope is that some of these activities might become habits! The second section of the booklet provides material for groups, and contains four sessions which may be used as an Advent Course. We will be following the same four themes, but the emphasis will be on discussion, learning together, and ‘considering how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds’ (Hebrews 10:24). You will get the most out of the materials if you use them at home and also as part of a group, but each will stand alone.
Sunday 29th November Advent Sunday The Patriarchs Settling: As we enter Advent today we begin a journey towards the celebration of Jesus’ first coming among us, whilst focussing on our hope of his second coming at the end of time. For many the future provokes anxiety rather than hope. If there is anything about which you are anxious, you might like to note it down on a piece of paper, consciously place it before God (perhaps before a cross, or in your Bible), and use, with confidence, this ancient breathing prayer: Maranatha, come, Lord Jesus. Reading: Acts 3:11-26 After receiving the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, the disciples heal a beggar, and are arrested. Peter makes his defence in front of the assembled crowd. Thinking: The later Old Testament writers, and the leaders of the early church, were very aware that God’s work of salvation was built securely on the Patriarchs. How do you think God prepared you for a relationship with him? What factors or people in your background do you think he used? Where have you particularly seen his generosity to you?
How important is your church, its history and its teaching to you in your faith today? Or do you feel that sometimes you have faith in spite of the church? As we spend this week with a few of these Old Testament patriarchs, think about how their lives allow you to glimpse the generosity of God to them and to you. How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service? Praying: One of the key motifs in the lives of the patriarchs is that of journey, both geographical and spiritual. Pray for yourself today as you begin the Advent journey with this material, and for others in your church who will be on the same journey. Pray for Bishop Christopher and all who lead our diocese, that they may have wisdom to lead us forwards in faith, confidence and joy. Doing: Find someone else from your church who is using this material, and agree to pray for one another each week.
Monday 30th November
Praying:
The Patriarchs – Noah
An old Sunday School song encourages us to ‘count your blessings’ so that it will ‘surprise you what the Lord has done’. Take some time to thank God for his generosity to you.
Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, lead me to new life. Reading: Genesis 8:15-22 God has called Noah to save the human and animal races from the evil and corruption of the world. The ark has now landed, and a new age is about to begin. Thinking: List all the things which God gave to Noah in this story. How many of these things has he given to you? How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service?
We pray today for the Deanery of Beltisloe, and other areas which particularly rely on the fruitfulness of the land. Doing: In conversation today find an opportunity to tell someone how grateful you are to God for something. Note how they react.
Tuesday 1st December The Patriarchs – Abraham and Sarah Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, bless me, and make me a blessing. Reading: Genesis 18:1-15 Abraham and Sarah have been called to set out for the land which he is going to give to them, and God has promised that through their family his chosen nation will come. The only problem is that Sarah is unable to have children. Thinking: Have you ever been laughed at? Not in a funny way but in a cruel way? It happens to God all the time, and this passage tells us of one such incident. Sarah is a good wife, and a great and flexible hostess, but her generous God wants to give her more – a miracle baby. How do you think you might react if an angel popped up and promised you the impossible? Sarah and Abraham had to wait 25 years for the fulfilment of this promise. How easy do you find it to be patient with God? How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service? Praying: Give thanks for the promises which are yours from God over the years. What as yet unanswered prayers do you have? Bring them to God again, and express to him your faith and trust in his good plans and perfect timing.
We pray today for the Deanery of Bolingbroke, and for all those around the Diocese who are longing to have children but so far are unable. Pray for those bereaved through the loss of children. Doing: Be aware of the things you laugh at during today. Has your laughter been kind or cruel?
Wednesday 2nd December The Patriarchs – Isaac Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, provide for my salvation. Reading: Genesis 22:1-14 Abraham, whose wife was unable to have children, has miraculously received a son, Isaac, who will continue the family line, but is now called to sacrifice him to God. Thinking: Have you ever known times when God has appeared to act out of character?
How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service? Praying: Pray for anyone you know today who is struggling with God, and what he is doing (or not doing) in their lives. Pray for anyone you know who needs God’s provision for them today. Today we pray for the Deanery of Calcewaithe and Candleshoe, and for all those who seek to help those struggling with life and its big questions. Doing:
What do you make of the idea of God ‘testing’ people?
Phone, message or visit someone you know who is struggling at the moment. Note how they react to your call.
What is his purpose in this passage?
Thursday 3rd December
How does this text speak to you of the generosity of God?
The Patriarchs – Jacob Settling:
Thursday 3rd December The Patriarchs – Jacob Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, send your forgiveness and healing. Reading: Genesis 32:22 – 33:4 Isaac’s son Jacob has cheated his brother Esau out of his inheritance, and has been on the run from him for years. He is about to go and meet him, but first he meets God. Thinking: Are there people in your life with whom relationship has been broken? How much of that was your fault? How would you describe your relationship with God? Close? Distant? Or what? What might it mean for you to wrestle with God in prayer for his blessing, for yourself or for others?
How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service? Praying: Pray for broken relationships, within families, nations, churches ... We pray today for the Christianity Deanery, and for those working particularly for reconciliation where there is brokenness. Doing: Find an opportunity today genuinely to say ‘sorry’ for something you have done or not done to someone. How did that feel?
Friday 4th December The Patriarchs – Joseph Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, send me to save others. Reading: Genesis 45:4-11 Jacob’s son Joseph has been sold as a slave in Egypt by his jealous brothers, but his wisdom and spiritual insight have enabled him to save the whole nation from famine. Now he is to show himself to his brothers. Thinking: Although God’s long-term purpose was to use Joseph to be generous to Egypt, it probably didn’t feel like that to him at the time he was sold as a slave. Have you known times of genuine hardship along life’s way? How easy is it to see the hand of a generous God in such times? How easy do you find it to be generous in forgiving those who have hurt you? Is there anyone you need to talk to God about today?
How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service? Praying: Give thanks to God for his provision in your life, and for ways in which he has used you to provide for others, even if it was uncomfortable at the time. Pray for anyone you know going through suffering without being able to make any sense at all of it. We pray today for the Deanery of Corringham, and for all those in our diocese who work in hospital and other chaplaincies. Doing: Take a moment sometime today to visit www.barnabasfund.org and read about those suffering persecution. Maybe you will be inspired to sign up or donate to their work.
Saturday 5th December The Patriarchs – Moses Settling: Take a moment to think back over this past week. When have you particularly felt God’s presence? You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, lead me from slavery to life. Reading: Exodus 14:13-22 Moses was saved from slaughter at his birth, and has been called by God to lead his nation out from slavery in Egypt. Just when it was all going so well, he found himself with the Egyptian army behind him and the sea in front... Thinking: The generosity of God in miraculously dividing of the Red Sea and bringing the people to salvation needed two things, Moses’ staff and God’s power. Without either nothing would have happened. When have you seen God’s generosity and human effort working together to do miracles?
The New Testament writers often looked back to this event as a picture of the decisive moment of salvation for God’s people. Can you identify significant times and/or people in your own coming to Christ? Do you think you have been significant for others coming to faith? How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service? Praying: Give thanks to God for special people who have been important in your journey towards freedom in Christ. Today we pray for the Deanery of Elloe East, for all those in our diocese exploring salvation through courses such as Pilgrim, Alpha and so on, and for those gifted by God to be evangelists. Doing: Invite someone from your church to tell you the story of how they came to faith.
Sunday 6th December - Advent 2 The Prophets Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service? Praying: Give thanks to our generous God who warns us when we are off track.
Amos the prophet explains what it is like to know God’s prophetic calling on his life.
Pray today for all those whose voices can be heard in public; those campaigning for justice and righteousness in our nation and in the wider world. Pray for our Diocesan Communications Team, led by Michelle Lees.
Thinking:
Doing:
Prophets often get a bad press. They seem always to be moaning and announcing judgement. How do you think the Prophets can be seen as a gift given out of God’s generosity?
Read some Sunday papers, but try to ask as you read ‘What might God be thinking about this article?’ Is he pleased/angry/sad? Try to develop this habit as you interact with the media.
Reading: Amos 3:1-8
In Numbers 11 Moses expresses the wish that that all the Lord’s people [could be] prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them! What do you think is the role of modern-day prophets? Who do you think they are? Do you think you have any kind of a prophetic role?
Monday 7th December The Prophets – Samuel Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, let me hear your voice. Reading: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 Samuel had been born miraculously to a woman unable to have children, and has been dedicated to serve at a shrine under the care of Eli the Priest. Thinking: ‘In those days the word of the Lord was rare: there were not many visions’ Do you feel that we live in times like that? Can you think of a time when you have known God speaking to you? How did it happen? What did you do as a result?
How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service? Praying: Read through today’s passage again, slowly and thoughtfully, and stop as soon as a word or phrase particularly strikes you. What do you want to say to God about what spoke to you? We pray today for the Deanery of Elloe West, and for our nurture of children in the faith throughout the Diocese. Doing: God usually speaks when we give him time and space to do so. Decide to take 5 minutes during the course of today simply to sit and be silent and still. As the saying goes: ‘Don’t just do something: sit there!’
Tuesday 8th December The Prophets – Elijah Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, keep me and sustain me. Reading: 1 Kings 18:36 – 19:5a God has brought a three year drought on the nation because of the wickedness of King Ahab. The drought ends when, on Mount Carmel, Elijah challenges the false prophets to a contest: whose god is able to send fire from heaven? But after his victory the threats to his life lead Elijah into severe depression. Thinking: Can you think of an example of someone for whom doing the right thing has led to persecution? Has this ever happened to you? If you read on from today’s passage you will see God’s generous care for the broken Elijah. How has God been generous to you in bad times?
What does this story have to say to us about our multi-faith, tolerant society? How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service? Praying: Pray for anyone you know who has been ‘persecuted for righteousness’ sake’. Today we pray for the Deanery of Graffoe and for ‘rulers and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.’ (1 Timothy 2:2) Doing: Is there an act of kindness you can do today for someone near the end of their tether?
Wednesday 9th December The Prophets – Jeremiah Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, comfort and save us. Reading: Lamentations 1:1-9 Jeremiah is known as one of the most miserable of the prophets, and his writings contain outpourings of grief. Here he laments the destruction of the city he loves. Thinking: How do you feel about the state of our nation at the moment? How do you think God might be feeling about it? Can you think of a time when an item on the news or in the papers brought tears to your eyes? What was it which particularly got to you?
How might the intercessions in church be handled differently sometimes to help us grieve for the disasters in our world? How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service? Praying: Watch or listen to today’s news. Is there one place on earth to which your heart particularly goes out? Pray for someone just like you (your age, your kind of job etc) caught up in the troubles. How would you want people to pray for you if you were there? Today we pray for the Deanery of Grantham, and for all those deep in grief around our Diocese. Doing: Watch something on the TV today such as the Jeremy Kyle Show or TOWIE, even if you would never normally watch programmes like that, and listen to your feelings about the people involved.
Thursday 10th December
Praying:
The Prophets – Miriam
In church, before the prayers of penitence, we are sometimes invited to recall our failings and defeats. Instead call to mind the victories of the past week or so, the temptations you didn’t give in to, the times of closeness to God, and give thanks for them.
Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, you are highly exalted. Reading: Exodus 15:1-13, 20-21 Miriam is referred to as a prophet in this passage, but she is a prophet with a difference, not speaking to the nation on behalf of God, but speaking to God on behalf of the nation. Here she is celebrating the escape of the nation through the Red Sea. Thinking: When has your church known a significant act of God’s generosity? How was it celebrated? Miriam clearly wasn’t an Anglican: her worship is public and exuberant! What do you think is the place of generous, extravagant praise, and should Anglicans be more comfortable with it? How do you feel about the fact that celebrating God’s victory necessarily involves celebrating the defeat of his enemies? How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service?
Today we pray for the Deanery of Grimsby and Cleethorpes, and we give thanks for the Church and our diocese, ‘delighting in its beauty and rejoicing in its well-being’. (From the Ordination of Priests in Common Worship) Doing: Spend some time today listening to some musical worship, perhaps of a style you wouldn’t usually choose. You might like to look on YouTube for Extravagant Praise by Phatfish, Taste and See by Israel Houghton, Mary Did You Know? By Pentatonix, or Tavener’s Christmas Proclamation. Rejoice in the generosity of God in giving us the privilege of expressing praise in so many ways.
Friday 11th December The Prophets – Amos Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, let justice flow like a river. Reading: Amos 5:14-24 Amos prophesied in the 8th century BC in Israel, and focussed on the rich people’s treatment of the poor, warning the nation that God was about to punish them for their injustice and exploitation. Thinking: What are some of the manifestations of inequality in British society today? Where do we see this most within our diocese? What do you think it was particularly about Israel’s worship which provoked such strong language from Amos in v 21? Might some of our worship today justifiably face the same sort of accusations?
The next chapter of Amos begins with the words ‘Woe to you who are complacent’. Where do you see complacency today? How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service? Praying: Pray for the church’s ministry to the poor and marginalised, the weak, homeless, addicted, and for organisations like the Church Urban Fund (www.cuf.org.uk) and Christians against Poverty (www.capuk.org) Pray for any people you meet regularly who are trapped in poverty. Today we pray for the Deanery of Haverstoe, and for those administering the Bishop of Lincoln’s Social Justice Fund. Doing: You may want to read more about the work of the organisations mentioned above. If you had £5 to give to someone who needs it, to whom would you give it? Why not do it anyway?
Saturday 12th December
Praying:
The Prophets – Hosea
Place your failure to love him in the hands of our generous God, and take a moment to breathe in his love and mercy. Pray for a more stable and committed relationship with him.
Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, bind up our wounds. Reading: Hosea 6:1-10 Hosea was a contemporary of Amos, but he saw things very differently: the root problem wasn’t injustice, but failure to love God. From that unfaithfulness all other evils flow. Hosea thought of the people’s sin like that of an unfaithful wife to her husband, and as prostitution. (Hosea uses the term ‘Ephraim’ as another word for Judah, his nation.) Thinking: How do you tend to see the sins of our world? Are you with Amos, that injustice is the problem, or with Hosea that the root of it all is abandonment of God? Read again the graphic picture in v 4. Do you find this to be true in your own discipleship? What might help your love to be more stable? What do v 1-3 tell you of God’s generosity? How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service?
Pray about the subtle erosion of Christian values in our nation, and the marginalisation of God and his Church. Ask our generous God to bind up our wounds and heal us (v 1). Pray for Christians who still have a voice in the public awareness. Today we pray for the Deanery of Holland, and for church leaders as they teach people to love God faithfully. Doing: Think of one thing which tends to drive you further from God (busyness, the TV, bad habits...) What are you going to do to keep it in its place?
Sunday 13th December Advent 3 John the Baptist Settling: As we continue our journey through Advent, take a moment to relax once again into God’s presence, and reflect on the path you have walked so far. What have been the highlights, and what has our generous God given to you so far? You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Lord, you must increase, I must decrease. Reading: Matthew 3:1-6 Malachi promised that before God came again to his world he would send ‘the prophet Elijah’ to prepare the way. The Jews were expecting this forerunner before the Messiah came, and John the Baptist fulfilled this role, although it was to cost him his life. Thinking: How do you see John as a character? Arrogant, or humble? Peace-bringer or troublemaker? Do you basically like him? In his ministry of preparation for Jesus, just what do you think our generous God was giving to the world? In what situations might we help to prepare the way for Jesus? How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service?
Praying: Pray today for all those in our diocese involved in the teaching ministry: Lay and clergy training officers, the Lincoln School of Theology, and our schools workers, as they prepare others to follow and serve Jesus. Doing: How do you prepare yourself to welcome Jesus as you join others in worship today? It’s so easy simply to rush in, hot and bothered. Find some time today simply to be still and prepare your heart, ideally before you receive Communion.
Monday 14th December John the Baptist – John’s Birth Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, prepare the way for your Son. Reading: Luke 1:57-58, 67-80
How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service? Praying: If you have children, grandchildren or godchildren, take a moment to pray for them, that what God purposes for them will work itself out. Pray particularly for any who are at the moment far from God.
As was the case with Abraham and Sarah’s son Isaac, John was born to a couple unable to have children. Because of his lack of faith Zechariah his father had been unable to speak, but as John was born his speech returned with this song of praise.
Today we pray for the Deanery of Horncastle, and for all those in our parishes working to evangelise and disciple children, through churches or schools.
Thinking:
Make plans to call a younger person you haven’t spoken to for while to see how they’re doing.
Try to distil into a sentence or two what Zechariah’s song of praise tells you about John’s future ministry. If you have children, what were your hopes for them when they were born? How much of what you hoped for has been fulfilled?
Doing:
Tuesday 15th December John the Baptist – John’s Calling Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, fill me with your Spirit. Reading: Luke 1:11-19 The angel tells Zechariah about John’s special dedication to God’s service. He is to be a Nazirite (a kind of Old Testament of a monk or nun), and will be especially filled with God’s Spirit. Thinking: Do you think it’s true that those who make the biggest sacrifices for God achieve the most for him? If so, why might this be? Do you feel you have made sacrifices because of your faith? Has this been a joy or a burden? What do you make of v 17 and turning ’the hearts of the parents to their children’? What might this mean for the church today? Who were the people who rejoiced because of John’s birth (v 14)? Did others see things differently? Why? Praying: Give thanks for any children who have been ‘a joy and delight’ to you, and for God’s generosity in putting them into your life. Today we pray for the Deanery of the Isle of Axholme, and for those involved in nurturing vocations to different types of ministry in our parishes. Doing: Think of one small sacrifice you might make this week. How does that idea feel to you? Could you actually make it?
Wednesday 16th December John the Baptist – John’s preaching Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, show us your salvation. Reading: Luke 3:1-9 John’s ministry begins as he receives God’s call for himself, and he begins to preach repentance. Thinking: John’s message was one of repentance. How do you understand this term today? Where do you see the link between repentance and God’s generosity? Nowadays it’s unfashionable to motivate people through fear, but John didn’t seem to be bothered by this (v 7). Is this ever a valid means of preaching? Why do you think John placed so much emphasis on ‘fruit’ (v 8, 9)? How do you see the relationship between fruit and repentance?
How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service? Praying: Pray for those called to a ministry of evangelism, for wise use of Scripture and appropriate speaking and preaching styles. Pray for those who are hungry enough to want to explore the Christian faith, and for the work of churches in welcoming seekers and helping them to find what they are looking for. Today we pray for the Deanery of Lafford, and for all those who preach the Word of God in our churches. Doing: Is there one thing in your life which you really wish you could repent of and be free from, what are often called ‘besetting sins’? What steps might you take to co-operate with God as he seeks to lead you away from temptation?
Thursday 17th December John the Baptist – John’s Teaching Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, teach me how to live. Reading: Luke 3: 10-18 John calls the people to turn from all that is wrong, but he calls them to turn towards practical good living. This will mean different things for different people. But God doesn’t expect us to live in our own strength. Thinking: If you had asked John ‘What should I do as a [enter your job or profession]?’ what do you think he might have said to you? What does the term ‘baptise you with the Holy Spirit’ (v 16) mean to you? What is your experience of the Spirit at work in your own life?
How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service? Praying: As you pray for our church and nation today, pray for generosity (v 11), honesty (v 13) and contentment (v 14) to characterise us. Ask God to increase these three characteristics in you. Today we pray for the Deanery of Lawres, and for Christians in their working lives, that they would show honesty and integrity, and be a positive witness for Jesus Christ. Doing: Think back to what John might have said to you about practical living. What steps can you begin to take to live like that?
Friday 18th December John the Baptist – John’s decline Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, give me your joy. Reading: John 3:22-31 John’s mission is accomplished: he has prepared the way for Jesus, and now he knows he must step off the stage. Thinking: The people came to John expecting him to be put out about Jesus’ success. How do you feel when others appear more successful than you are? Or when an area of ministry is taken from you by someone else? Or when it is time to step down or retire? John seems happy to allow Jesus to take centre stage. Why do we find it so difficult, do you think?
How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service? Why does a generous God take ministries away from people? What might he give them instead? Praying: Can you think of a time when you have felt put out or supplanted, or put out to grass? Talk to God about how you felt, or still feel about it. Pray for those who have become greater as you have become less (v 30). Today we pray for the Deanery of Louthesk, and for those across our diocese nearing retirement. Pray for those with a particular ministry to retired people. Pray for the retired clergy who do much to support the ministry and mission of the church. Doing: Is there an area of ministry which God might be calling you to give up? If so, could you begin to take steps to free yourself from it?
Saturday 19th December
Praying:
John the Baptist – John’s Death
Pray for any people you know facing bereavement, through death or approaching death, or loss of any kind. Pray for the church’s ministry to bereaved people.
Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, bring me to a solitary place. Reading: Matthew 14:1-13a
Pray for those in public office: for honesty, integrity and justice in the way they lead. Pray for Christians in government, for wisdom to know when to speak out and when to stay silent.
Even after his mission of announcing Jesus has been completed, John is still in trouble for confronting the King for his adultery. This is to lead to his death.
Today we pray for the Deanery of Loveden, and for those across our diocese seeking justice in the secular world. Pray for your church’s involvement in the life of your community.
Thinking:
Doing:
Why do you think Jesus went off on his own at the end of this passage?
In Matthew 11:11 Jesus says ‘Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist’. We’re pretty good at moaning about people behind their backs, but Jesus is praising john behind his. Choose today to praise someone behind their back to someone else, and try to make it a habit to do it every day.
We sometimes hear people in public life, often when they’ve been caught at something, telling us that their private lives are their business and do not affect their professional work. Do you think they’re right? Is it the job of the church to condemn public corruption, or should we leave well alone, as we are often told to? How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service?
Sunday 20th December Mary Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Let it be to me according to your word. Reading: Luke 1:26-28 During our final week we will be thinking about God’s generosity to Mary, and her journey towards the birth of her Son, God’s ultimate gift to the world. Thinking: Why Mary? What do you think made God choose this woman from this town at this time to be the recipient of his favour? Think about these words from the Common Worship Communion Service: And now we give you thanks because in choosing the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son you have exalted the humble and meek. Your angel hailed her as most highly favoured; with all generations we call her blessed, and with her we rejoice and magnify your holy name.
What place does Mary have in your faith and practice? Do you see her as ultra-special, or just available and obedient? Do these words help?What has God given to you which helps you to present Jesus to a waiting world? How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service? Praying: Give thanks for the Blessed Virgin Mary and her unique place in our faith. Pray that like her you may be a recipient of God’s favour and an obedient servant of his will. Today we pray for the Churches of our diocese as we prepare to celebrate Christmas, for those who will lead worship and preach, for those who will pay an annual visit. Pray particularly for the ministry of our Cathedral over the Christmas period. Doing: Is there a friend or neighbour whom you might invite to a service this Christmas? Research suggests that people are more open to invitations than we might think.
Monday 21st December Mary – Mary’s Faith Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, show me your favour. Reading: Luke 1:26-38 The angel visits Mary, bringing her the good news of God’s generosity and favour towards her and the whole world. By faith, Mary believes the impossible. Thinking: How would you define ‘faith’? Mary is not daft – she knows exactly how people get babies, and she knows that she hasn’t done that, and that therefore every bit of evidence tells her that what the angel promises is impossible. Yet she chooses to believe God’s word rather than the evidence. Can you think of a time when you have exercised faith, believing God in the face of the evidence, of common sense? What would it mean to pray for the church with faith, in the face of all the evidence of decline and death? How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service? Praying: Pray that our generous God would strengthen your faith today. Pray for those struggling with doubts, those who are confused, those who have deliberately chosen to disobey the God they follow, and those seeking to minister to people like this.
Pray for those beginning to sense God’s call to them for some form of ministry. Today we pray for the Deanery of Manlake, and for those involved in helping those sensing vocations to ministry, especially for Jeff Heskins, our Director of Ordinands. Doing: Tell someone today, face to face, by phone, text or social media, how favoured they are in God’s eyes.
Tuesday 22nd December Mary – Mary’s Praise Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, lift up the humble. Reading: Luke 1:46-55 Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Mary voices her praise to the God who turns the world upside down. Thinking: In what ways do you see the generosity of God celebrated in this passage? What in your life needs to be brought down from its throne in order that you can receive God’s favour? What about in the life of our church and nation? Can you think of any people you would see as truly humble? Do you find this an attractive quality in people? Why?
How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service? Praying: In the panic of the last few days before Christmas, pray for a sense of calm and peace to fill you. Pray for those approaching Christmas with anxiety or dread. Pray that in the grabbing, spending and consumerism Christians will remember the words of the Lord Jesus that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Today we pray for the Deanery of Stamford, and for all those involved in the financial life of our church, both officers in Edward King House and parish treasurers across the diocese. Doing: Choose to do something today which turns normal values upside down. Behave out of character! How do others react to this?
Wednesday 23rd December
up their own minds’?
Mary – Mary’s Visit
If children have an innate ability to respond to God, what helps them to lose it as they grow up?
Settling:
Generous God, may I welcome your Son.
How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service?
Reading: Luke 1:39-45
Praying:
Mary travels to greet her relative Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John, her miracle baby. An unexpected encounter with each other and the Holy Spirit confirms both Elizabeth’s and Mary’s privileged roles in God’s generosity to the world. The angel told Zechariah that John would be filled with the Spirit from birth: it appears that he knew the Spirit even before that.
Give thanks for the privilege of children (your own or others’) and pray for families awaiting this gift from God.
You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes:
Thinking: Sometimes God speaks in the most surprising ways. Here it is through a jumping foetus! What is the most surprising way you have encountered God? What happened? What do you think this passage has to say about the role of children in the Kingdom of God? Is it OK merely to ‘leave them to make
Pray for all those who counsel mothers seeking terminations of pregnancy. Today we pray for the Deanery of West Wold, and for the groups for young children around our diocese, Messy Churches, and other activities for the very young. Doing: Do something generous for a child today. Maybe you could offer to babysit so a busy Mum can have some time for herself.
Christmas Eve 24th December Mary – Mary’s Journey
How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more
Settling:
• Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service?
You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes:
Praying:
Generous God, send me where you need me. Reading: Luke 2:1-7 You will probably hear this reading quite a few times over the Christmas period! Today, though, hear it through Mary’s ears, and consider the upheaval, nuisance and anxiety of this journey, both for her and for Joseph. Thinking: Think about a difficult journey you have had to make. What was difficult about it? Short notice? Preparing and packing? Making the arrangements? Worry about the destination and what you would find there? Did it all work out OK in the end, or not? If you have given birth, or supported someone who did, think back to the emotions of that occasion. Now think of it without any medical care. Why does God’s generosity sometimes hurt so much?
Pray for all who must travel this Christmas, for sad as well as happy reasons, and particularly for safety on our roads. Give thanks for families, and pray for peace! Pray for the work of our hospitals, under so much pressure at this time of year, and for the chaplains of the diocese. Today we pray for the Deanery of Yarborough, and for those in our diocese lonely, depressed, isolated and far from home. Pray for our churches’ ministry to the homeless and refugees over this Christmas period. Doing: Is there any practical support you could offer to neighbours or others in your community today, or other ways you could show God’s generosity to others at a time when we so often only think of ourselves and our families?
Christmas Day 25th December Mary – Mary’s Offering Settling: You may like to use this breathing prayer for a few minutes: Generous God, may I welcome your Son. Reading: Luke 2:22-35 Mary didn’t just give Jesus to the world once: she had several times to give her son away, finally to the cross and back to his Father. Here she offers him to God in dedication to his will. Mary reminds us today of the ongoing cost of obedience and discipleship. Thinking: Think of a time when you had to give something up against your will. If you have had children, how and when have you had to let them go? How did that feel? How do you think Mary might have felt about Simeon’s words to her? Do you think they came as a surprise? When exactly do you think she felt a sword pierce her soul? How has what you have read today encouraged you to be more • Faithful in Worship? • Confident in Discipleship? • Joyful in Service? Praying: As we celebrate Jesus’ birth today, give thanks for God’s generosity, and for the many people, some of whom we have thought about over the past four weeks, who were, in different ways, part of his giving to our world. As we have thought today about Jesus dedication to his Father’s purposes, you may like to use this prayer of rededication. If you
receive bread and wine today, think again about Jesus’ generosity to his church. We are no longer our own, but yours. Put us to what you will, rank us with whom you will; put us to doing, put us to suffering; let us be employed for you or laid aside for you, exalted for you or brought low for you; let us be full, let us be empty; let us have all things, let us have nothing; We freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal. And now, glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are ours and we are yours. So be it. And the covenant which we have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen. Doing: Take some time over the next few days (but don’t leave it too long) to jot down in a notebook or journal the key things you have taken from this Advent material. You may like to consider: What you have learnt or discovered about our generous God What you have felt about him What you have struggled with One or two things which you are going to do from now on to become a more generous person.
Generous God – Generous Living A Four Session Advent Course Introduction In the materials for use by individual Christians during this Advent we shall be thinking about the four traditional Advent themes of the Patriarchs, the Prophets, John the Baptist and Mary. The four sessions of this course, which is designed for group study, are based around these themes, but we will be looking at them through the lens of generosity, God’s and ours. Each session will be arranged under four headings: Welcome: We gather, welcome one another, and become aware of the Spirit’s presence with us. Word: We think together about some biblical themes, and seek to understand God’s word better. Worship: We respond to what we have heard in worship and prayer. Where? We think about where what we have discovered might send us in the future, and what we are going to do about it. These materials are only suggestions, and a framework: please feel free not to follow the programme too slavishly, although the role of the leader is to keep us on track, and to ensure that we don’t sink back into simply chatting. The idea of gathering around God’s Word is that we are transformed by that encounter. So it is good to stick to these four themes and these four sections for each evening, but you will want to make the prayer, worship and discussion your own. Hints for group leaders can be found on the Diocesan website. May the Lord be with you!
Generous God – Generous Living
What does this say to you about the life of faith and discipleship?
Session 1: The Patriarchs – Blessing and Salvation
Are there any things you have left behind in order to be obedient to God’s call to you?
Welcome: If the group is a new one, and people don’t know each other very well, it is worth taking time for introductions. One way of doing this is to divide the group into pairs, and give each person three minutes to interview their partner, and then each to introduce their partner to the whole group. You might ask questions such as ‘Where were you born?’, ‘Where were you living ten years ago?’, ’Who are the key members of your family?’ and some fun stuff about favourite films, Bible characters or food. Feel free to improvise! Then spend a few minutes in quiet prayer, becoming aware of the presence of God with you, and reflecting on how he has been generous to you today. Word: Read Genesis 12:1-9 This passage begins the story of the Patriarchs, with their father Abraham. Different people list different members of this group: sometimes they are Abraham, his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob, a formula which is used often in the Old Testament to define God and his relationship with the people (see, for example, Exodus 3:6). Stephen, in Acts 7:8 uses a different list: Jacob’s 12 sons. But however you define them they are the ancestors of God’s people the Jews, and of the Christian church. For discussion: Did you notice how clear God is about what Abraham has to leave behind, and how vague he is about where Abraham is headed?
Are you temperamentally more comfortable with certainty about the future, or do you enjoy the uncertainty of adventure? What does this passage tell you about God’s generosity to Abraham? What has he given him? What does he promise to give him? What do you think about the relationship between being blessed (v 2), and being a blessing (v 3)? Is it possible to do one without the other? From what you know of the continuing story of Abraham and Sarah, where do you see their generosity to God and others being worked out? Worship: The whole story of salvation begins with God’s generosity to Abraham. Give thanks for your part in that story, and for the many ways God pours his blessings on you day by day. One way to do that is to invite people to say a phrase, such as ‘For my health ...’ to which everyone replies ‘Thanks be to God’. See how many times you can go round the group! Remember to pray for those who are not experiencing life as blessed at the moment. You may like to use this Advent Collect, and to round off your prayers with our Diocesan prayer (printed inside the back cover):
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Where? Think about where the generosity of God and of Abraham has challenged you. Traditionally ‘stewardship’ in the church has been seen as generosity of time, talents and money. In which of these three areas do you find it easiest and hardest to be generous. What would you like to do about that?
Generous God – Generous Living
or why not try this more contemporary version of the same piece:
Session 2: The Prophets – Correction and Hope
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=hKuIT9LOB8A
Welcome: If you have been using the daily devotional materials for this Advent, you will have seen the daily challenges to action. Talk about how you have found these activities, and share any stories about what you have done and how that felt. If you have new people joining the group this week, remember to be generous to them in welcome and hospitality. Word: Read Isaiah 40:1-5 Allow these words to speak to you for a few moments. Then, if you can get online, you might like to listen to these words being sung, either in the traditional version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTpClK46G4
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It is generally thought that the book of Isaiah was compiled from the work of three different prophets, ministering at different times. Chapter 40 begins the section addressed to people who had been in exile in Babylon for many years. God is announcing through the prophet that this time of punishment is almost over. How do you think the people felt, having been in a foreign country, many of them as slaves, for as long as 70 years, surrounded by foreign worship and strange gods? What do you think they thought about the idea that they were God’s ‘chosen people’? How might you have felt? What does our generous God promise to the people in this passage? How many promises does he make to them? Skip to the end of the chapter (v 28-31). What are the additional promises there?
What is the relationship between this kind of message of hope and new life, and other prophetic passages which announce judgement, for example Isaiah 4:8-13? Worship Think about the people in our world who may have lost hope. You probably won’t be short of ideas about who they might be. What about people in your own community/ town/city? Who in your parish needs to hear good news of hope? How might you pray for them now? Where in our world might people need to hear the correcting word of God? Pray for any situations of sin, corruption and injustice which come to mind, and pray for God’s generous mercy and warning to come where they are needed.
Father in heaven, who sent your Son to redeem the world and will send him again to be our judge: give us grace so to imitate him in the humility and purity of his first coming that, when he comes again, we may be ready to greet him with joyful love and firm faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Where? Can you think of times when you have needed to hear God’s voice of comfort...? Or of correction ...? How easy do you find it to think of both these as coming from God’s generosity? To whom might you need to speak words of comfort? Or of correction or warning?
You may like to use this Advent collect, and to end your prayers with our Diocesan Prayer:
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Generous God – Generous Living Session 3: John the Baptist – Challenge and Forgiveness Welcome: If you could go back through your life and do one thing differently, what would it be? Have you had times when you have radically restarted, or had a major change of direction, for example in a career change, or a major move? Talk about how these fresh starts felt. Word: Read John 1:6-9, 19-27 Do you basically like or dislike John the Baptist as a character? Luke tells us (Lk 1:15) that John was called to be a Nazirite, someone specially dedicated to God, a bit like members of religious orders today. He was also filled with the Holy Spirit even from before his birth. Can you see anything else in this passage which suggests how he came to an awareness of his ministry and calling? Do you have any similar experiences? John’s gospel focuses on John as the baptiser and the forerunner of Jesus, while Luke concentrates more on his message of repentance and right living. How do you see these two sides of his ministry coming together? What does this mean for you day-to-day? In a church which baptises babies it can sometimes be hard to see baptism as the radical new start which John’s baptism represented.
How do you think we might help people mark this new start if they come to faith as adults who have already been baptised? Worship: You may like to begin your prayers with Zechariah’s song of praise for his new son, either all together, or with different voices reading different verses: Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, who has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour, born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets God promised of old to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us, To show mercy to our ancestors, and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen. In what ways might your church/Mission Community benefit from a new start? Talk about this, and listen for God identifying anything of which you might need to repent first. Pray for any in your community who would benefit from God’s generous gift of a new start. You may like to use this collect and our Diocesan prayer as you end your prayers: God for whom we watch and wait, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son: give us courage to speak the truth, to hunger for justice, and to suffer for the cause of right, with Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Where? Today you have prayed for the life of your church, and for its renewal. Where else is your church regularly prayed for? What groups or initiatives might you start to make sure that the renewal and growth of your church is regularly prayed for? What might you agree to do as individuals?
Generous God – Generous Living
We see it as God’s generosity to us and to his world that he gave Mary the gift of his Son.
Session 4: Mary – Privilege and Praise
What do you think Mary gave to God? Both in this passage and down the years following?
Welcome:
What does Mary still give to the church today?
As we meet for the final time this Advent, talk about what this course has meant to you so far. As we have been thinking about the generosity of God, are you thinking differently about Christmas this year? Or about what the New Year might bring? Word: Read Luke 1:26-38 Have you ever heard sermons like either of these: ‘God the Father had been searching down the ages for the right woman to bear his son. Until he found the perfect mother he could not work out his plan of salvation for the world. Finally he found Mary, knew she was the perfect choice, and so Jesus was born into our world. We must honour her in her unique role.’ Or: ‘The point about Mary was not that she was perfect or special, but that she was willing and obedient to bear God’s Son. It isn’t our ability which counts, it’s our availability. We must seek to follow her example of obedient humility, and to count it a great privilege when we receive God’s call to us.’ Which of these two understandings of Mary’s role resonates most with what you believe about her? What are the implications for Christian discipleship today of each of them?
Worship: You may like to begin your worship with Mary’s words of praise: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; he has looked with favour on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name. He has mercy on those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm and has scattered the proud in their conceit, Casting down the mighty from their thrones and lifting up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, to remember his promise of mercy, The promise made to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.
Use a time of silence and stillness to offer back to God anything which you feel he has given to you through this course. In a period of quiet, think about what ways you see it as a privilege being one of God’s people? How do you find yourself expressing this in praise? Are there any practical ways in which you are going to live differently from now on? Are there any of the suggestions from the daily reflections which you intend to build into your life in the future? You may like to write or draw something on a Post-It note, and, as a mark of your intention towards more generous living, place it prayerfully in front of a cross. Or you might like to use tea-lights as signs of your intentions. You can round off your prayers with this collect, and our Diocesan prayer: Heavenly Father, who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of the promised saviour: fill us your servants with your grace,that in all things we may embrace your holy will and with her rejoice in your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Where? Individually: Is there some area of privilege for which to praise God? Is there an area of obedience for you to deal with? Is there some kind of a call from God which you are trying to wriggle out of? What are you going to do about it? Together: How do you intend to follow up this course? Is there demand for a prayer or study group to continue meeting? How will you share the experience of having been in this group with others in your church who chose not to join? Will it feel like generosity if you try to encourage them to join a future group?
As our Saviour has taught us, so we pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen. Prayers for individual and group use: Our Diocesan Prayer: Almighty God, source of our hope and of all good things; you call us in love to share in the work of creation in making all things new. Bless our diocese: may we be faithful in our worship, confident in our discipleship, and joyful in our service, that, through us, the world may catch a glimpse of the love you have for each one of us, made known to us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lent course material will be available early in the new year. The course will follow some of the themes depicted in the Methodist Collection of Modern Art, which will be exhibited in the Cathedral throughout Lent.
Exhibition Methodist Collection of Modern Art
Lincoln Cathedral Chapter House and The Collection 12th Feb to 27th March 2016
EDWARD KING HOUSE • MINSTER YARD • LINCOLN • LN2 1PU 01522 50 40 50 WWW.LINCOLN.ANGLICAN.ORG