By Jill Waggoner
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — As churches and families prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, Lifeway Christian Resources has released a robust lineup of Advent Bible studies and resources, including an online event, designed to equip worshipers of every age to mark the season with Scripture, reflection and community.
While 9 out of 10 Americans celebrate Christmas, only 53% think they can accurately tell the story of Christ’s birth, according to Lifeway Research.
“These resources from Lifeway invite each of us to slow down, understand and reflect on the significance of Christ’s birth, with the hope that this holiday season will gain a greater meaning and purpose,” said Becky Loyd, vice president at Lifeway Christian Resources.
Lifeway Bible studies serve men, women, girls
Written by the teams at Lifeway Women and Lifeway Men respectively, “Behold the Savior” is the title of the four-week, verse-by-verse studies of Luke 1 and 2 created for women’s and men’s groups. Both editions include suggested group activities and discussion guides crafted to deepen understanding of the Christmas story and foster spiritual growth.
“Love Came Down” is a resource created by the Lifeway Girls team to meet the needs of this demographic. The four-session Bible study helps teen girls explore the gospel message through the lens of Advent. It emphasizes God’s holiness, the cost of His love and the transformative power of Jesus’s coming.
Resources for the family
Lifeway Kids has also provided a free family Advent guide that moves through Luke 1 and 2, coordinated with the “Behold the Savior” releases.
“The One We’re Waiting For: An Illustrated Advent Devotional for Families,” written by Taylor Combs and illustrated by Aedan and Natalie Peterson, is intended to create a daily Advent experience for families, with a Bible story, simple discussion questions and illustrated ornaments for each day.
Other Christmas- and Advent-focused devotionals are also available for readers on Lifeway.com. B&H Publishing recently released “Christmas for the Heart” from Cheryl Baker, and “Advent for Exiles,” was recently honored as a finalist in the Christian Book Awards in the new author category.
Prepare Him Room virtual event
Churches and small groups are invited to host or attend an immersive Advent experience called “Prepare Him Room,” featuring teaching from Kelly Minter and worship led by Lindsay McCaul. The event explores the lives of Mary and Elizabeth and encourages participants to make space for Jesus in their hearts and homes.
“I love the story of Mary and Elizabeth,” said Bible teacher Kelly Minter. “Things did not go as planned for them that very first Christmas, and yet both of them were so fully satisfied by the experience of Jesus Christ.”
The virtual event streams Nov. 14 – Dec. 31. Tickets for the live taping in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 16 are available as well.
More information about all Advent resources is available at lifeway.com/advent.
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Jill Waggoner is a writer for Lifeway Christian Resources.
In operation since 1891, Lifeway Christian Resources is one of the leading providers of Christian resources, including Bibles, books, Bible studies, group curriculum, Christian music and movies, Vacation Bible School and church supplies, as well as camps and events for all ages. Lifeway is the world’s largest provider of Spanish Bibles. Based in Brentwood, Tennessee, Lifeway operates as a self-supporting nonprofit. For more information, visit Lifeway.com.
B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of Lifeway Christian Resources, is a team that believes Every Word Matters®. We seek to provide intentional, biblical content that positively impacts the hearts and minds of people, cultivating lifelong relationships with Jesus Christ. We publish (print and digital) in the trade, church and academic markets, as well as the CSB translation. For more information, visit BHPublishingGroup.com.
