Advent 2024
Crossing the Threshold Together

Let’s cross thresholds together. (Acts 10) 

Our Goal: Everyone at Christ Community takes one step of faith crossing the thresholds that divide to bring the gospel to others.

Crossing the Threshold

Dec 1 - Dec 7
Theme: hope - sharing the hope found in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:26)
Ideas:
  • List 3-4 names of people outside the church you want to know the hope found only in Jesus
  • Begin praying for those people every day by name, asking God to reveal Himself to them.
  • Consider inviting these people to a gathering of Christ Community like the Christmas Party on Dec 3
Dec 8 - Dec 14
Theme: peace - pass on the peace of Christ by sharing a gift in His Name (end of Acts 4)
Ideas:
  • Look for ways to tangibly care for the people you’re praying for. What would make them feel noticed / known?
  • Consider giving a gift to those on your list and share specific prayers you’ll be praying for them
  • Send a note sharing appreciation for those people
  • Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading to offer to pray for others. You could say, “I know the holiday season can be a confusing mix of emotions for a lot of people. How can I pray for you during this time?” 
Dec 15 - Dec 21
Theme: joy - invite an “outsider” in to experience the joy of God through Christ (end of Acts 8)
Ideas:
  • Invite an international student to your home for a meal, or to meet up for coffee (Dan Wang has a list of names). Ask what religion they believe and share about what you believe.  
  • Invite the people you’re praying for to a church gathering: Xmas Eve service, our Sunday Renewal Gathering service, your Core Community
  • Invite the people you’re praying for to coffee or a meal, and ask them questions like: “What’s your view of the Holidays? What have you done throughout your life to celebrate? Have you gone to church during the holidays? What’s your religious / spiritual background? Our church is doing a series through Advent  called ‘Because He Came: hope, peace, joy, love’; I’d love to hear your thoughts on those topics.”
  • Team up with your Core Community or another CC to sing carols at a local nursing home, pass out Christmas cards and have conversations with those who listen. (Call beforehand; most homes are very receptive to this!) 
Dec 22 - Dec 31 
Theme: love - share the greatest news of love, that Christ came to save us (Acts 4:12)
Ideas:
  • Ask someone you’re praying for to read and discuss the Christmas story with you.
  • Host a holiday party in your home or other space, and share the Christmas story by reading Luke 2:1-20 and asking discussion questions. At the end, share why that story matters to you. 
  • Pray for opportunities to share what this season means to you- that Jesus came to save us. 
  • If you’re hosting Christmas at your home, consider inviting someone who doesn’t have a home to go celebrate Christmas (for example, an international student) 
  • After Christmas, invite someone to coffee and ask about their Christmas. Share how yours went, and why Christmas is significant to you. 

Crossing the Threshold TOGETHER

1. Partner with your Core Community!  
We want Core Communities to be a place where we can work together to cross thresholds by partnering in outreach, praying for what we do, and sharing with one another the joys and challenges along the way. This environment is perfect to discuss outreach ideas, encourage one another and pray together as you take steps of faith and cross thresholds in the Name of Jesus.

2. Think creatively about including kids!
(This goes for those with and without kids!) Kids often make sharing the good news of Jesus a little easier. How? A few ideas:
  • Kids make holiday parties even more fun. Dress up like Santa, invite the neighbors, have some crafts for kids, and then share a “story time” with a children’s Bible telling the story of Christmas- and then share why it means so much to you. 
  • Invite someone you’re praying for over for dessert and when the kids need to go to sleep, have a little devotional time with the guest present so they can hear the content you share with your kids. 
  • Work together as a Core Community to host a party together, everyone included, so kids get to see not only their parents but their spiritual aunts and uncles proclaiming the gospel and reaching out

3. Need help?
Please reach out; we want to help you cross the thresholds. We’ve got several people who would be excited to show you or teach you how to 
  • Share the gospel
  • Read the Bible one-on-one with someone
  • Host a holiday party
  • Share craft or game ideas 
  •  And so much more… 

Advent Content For You

If you go to the welcome table at the Y, you’ll find these resources available (some free, some for a suggested donation) for you to use during Advent - while supplies last!

  • Everyday Gospel Christmas by Paul Tripp
  • Is Christmas Unbelievable?: Four Questions Everyone Should Ask About the World's Most Famous Story by Rebecca McLaughlin
  • Wonders of His Love: Finding Jesus in Isaiah by Champ Thornton
  • Advent for Exiles by Caroline Cobb

Let’s cross the thresholds together this advent to share the peace-making power of Jesus!