This year, our Advent and Christmas planning has a blended challenge – how can we best serve the experience of our congregation through both live-streamed and in-person meetings?
Welcome to the Gift Of Risk Journal experience. Designed for the “blended” service reality that we are all entering this season – we’re excited to announce that your resources are ready!
- Digital – a downloadable version of the study (along with slides and graphics for Pastors)
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Here’s an excerpt from the Study:
“When God said His ‘Yes’ at Christmas, He knew the future it would bring about. And fulfilling His plan through willing, yet scared-out-of-their-wits human beings, seems to be the way He likes to do things. The purpose of this prompt is to help you connect with the overarching story of risk that flows throughout the Scriptures. Imagine, just for a moment, the entire Christmas project as a great ‘risk’ for everyone involved. Mary risks her life and reputation to see God’s will done. Joseph risks the same, and needs a dream to help him take his next step of obedience. Jesus risks everything in a Gospel drama that welcomes us to follow Him in a life of faith and action. These are the ‘gifts of risk’ in the Christmas story.”
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How To Use The Journal
The Gift Of Risk Journal contains five prompts/practices related to the faith risks the Holy Spirit invites us into every day. Each prompt/practice contains an introduction, a Scripture, a practice, things to notice, and journal space in which to document your experience.
Spend as much time in one practice as you like. The five practices follow the four themes of Advent and Christmas Day, but they are applicable anytime. Dive into the theme that most resonates with what you need, or you think God is welcoming you into. Savor the practice that moves you. Stay there as long as you like.
This season, let’s take a journey of the heart into the many risks that made Christmas – the Incarnation – possible.
Includes A 2020 Journal Review!
Based on our year’s theme of “risk,” the Gift Of Risk Journal is rooted in the risk taking we find in the Christmas story – culminating in a Christmas challenge to review 2020 and step into the coming year with a renewed YES to Jesus in our hearts.
2020 held so many unexpected challenges for so many – this journal will help your congregation process how the year has impacted their hearts as they look toward 2021.
Digital Resources
Pastor’s Church Study Package
Download the The Gift Of Risk Church Study for Pastors – includes:
- The Gift Of Risk Journal & Study (for Sermons)
- The Gift Of Risk Journal & Study printable version (for your congregation)
- The Gift Of Risk Slides (wide and standard)
- The Gift Of Risk Sermon Planning Guide (Advent + Christmas)
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Small Group Study
Download The Gift Of Risk Small Group Study – includes:
- The Gift Of Risk Journal & Study (for your preparation)
- The Gift Of Risk Journal & Study printable version (for your group)
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Individual & Family Study
- The Gift Of Risk Journal & Study (for your preparation)
- The Gift Of Risk Journal & Study printable version (for yourself or a family)
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This Advent and Christmas season, take your place with the risk-takers of Christmas. The world needs us now more than ever before!
