Advent Family Discussion
Advent is a four-week season of remembering Jesus’ arrival on Earth and anticipating his return to restore all things. As you read The Dawning of Indestructible Joy by John Piper, use this family guide to spark daily conversations and enjoy weekly activities together. Each week offers options like service projects, crafts, or meaningful moments around the table—do one or both! Our hope is that this season draws your family closer and centers your hearts on the true meaning of Christmas.
Week 1
Week 1 Activities
- Paper Chain of Hope
Make an Advent paper chain with 25 links. On each strip, write something you’re hoping for or thankful for. Each day, tear off one link and pray for what’s written on it. - “Hope Drops”
Write anonymous sticky notes with hopeful messages like “You matter,” “God hasn’t forgotten you,” “You are loved,” and place them in public spaces (library books, grocery carts, school lockers).
December 1st
- Adults: Why is it important that Jesus’s mission includes searching as well as saving? In what ways do you see God searching for people today?
- Kids: What does it mean that Jesus comes looking for us? Can you think of a time someone looked for you when you were lost or alone?
December 2nd
- Adults: What are the blocks in your heart that make it hard to prepare for Christ’s coming? How might preparing your heart look different this year?
- Kids: What would you do to get ready for a very special visitor? What is something in your heart you want to clear away to make room for Jesus?
December 3rd
- Adults: What helps you draw near to Jesus when life feels distant? How does drawing near to Christ change how you handle fear or discouragement?
- Kids: What does drawing near to someone mean? What can you do today to get closer to Jesus?
December 4th
- Adults: How does reframing Advent as more than a season of preparation shift your expectations? Which parts are hardest to embrace?
- Kids: If Advent had only one message, what would it be? What do you look forward to most during Advent?
December 5th
- Adults: What reasons for Christmas surprise you most? How does understanding why Christmas happened affect your hopes or beliefs?
- Kids: Why do you think God sent Jesus instead of doing something else? How does knowing why Jesus came change how you feel about Christmas?
December 6th
- Adults: What does it mean that Jesus was willing to suffer so God’s glory would be known? How does that challenge your passion for God?
- Kids: What does it mean that Jesus really wants people to know God? What’s something you want to love more, like Jesus loves God?
Week 2
Week 2 Activities
- Peaceful Picnic
Eat a meal on the floor instead of the table (like the stable / manger). Spread a blanket on the floor, dim the lights, and light candles—just simple food like bread, cheese, and fruit. Begin with a few deep breaths and read John 14:27. Talk about how peace isn’t the absence of noise — it’s the presence of Jesus. - “Waiting Jar”
Decorate a jar and fill it with small slips of paper listing things your family is waiting for (healing, answers, friendships, provision). Each day, pull one slip, pray over it, and remind one another: “God is with us in the waiting.”
December 7th
- Adults: What blessings of Christ are often overlooked? How do you respond when blessings are hidden behind hardship?
- Kids: Can you name some blessings Jesus brings? When have you felt blessed even though something hard was happening?
December 8th
- Adults: What situations test your trust in God most? How can remembering Christ’s coming strengthen that trust?
- Kids: Is it easy or hard to trust God when you don’t understand? What promise from God helps you trust more?
December 9th
- Adults: What’s the significance of Jesus being the Son of Man? How does His humanity comfort or challenge you?
- Kids: What does Son of Man mean — that Jesus was like us? How does it help that He understands being human?
December 10th
- Adults: What works of the devil has Christ come to destroy in your life? What hope does this bring you?
- Kids: If your life had shadows, what would it feel like for Jesus to bring light? What do you want Jesus to help you overcome?
December 11th
- Adults: How does celebrating God’s love change your relationships? What would it look like daily?
- Kids: What are ways you can show God’s love this week? What makes you most thankful about His love?
December 12th
- Adults: What does the incarnation show about God’s character? How does Word made flesh change how you see God’s communication?
- Kids: If you could talk to Jesus in person, what would you say? How does knowing Jesus came as a baby change your view of God?
December 13th
- Adults: What does it mean that Christ divides history? How does this affect your own story or purpose?
- Kids: If you could time-travel, what was the world like before Jesus came? What is different now that He has come?
Week 3
Week 3 Activities
- “Joy Jar”
Fill a jar with slips of paper naming joyful memories from the past year. Keep adding to it all week. On the weekend, pull them out and read them aloud — shouting “JOY!” after each one. - Joy Explosion Dessert
Make an over-the-top dessert — ice cream sundae bar, hot cocoa board, or rainbow fruit skewers — and shout “The joy of the Lord is our strength!” before diving in.
December 14th
- Adults: When have you experienced unexpected mercy? How should God’s mercy shape how you treat others?
- Kids: What does mercy mean? Can you think of a time someone forgave or helped you when you didn’t deserve it?
December 15th
- Adults: What is your truest treasure, and how does Jesus compare? How do earthly treasures distract you?
- Kids: If you could have one thing besides toys, what would it be? Why is Jesus more valuable than gifts?
December 16th
- Adults: What does being part of God’s family mean? How do you need to grow into that identity?
- Kids: What does it feel like to belong to God’s family? How can you show love to others in His family?
December 17th
- Adults: What does Jesus serving us teach about leadership and humility? How can you reflect His example?
- Kids: What are ways you can serve someone today? Why did Jesus come to serve instead of being served?
December 18th
- Adults: How might God’s frustration be grace in disguise? When have you felt frustrated with Him?
- Kids: Has something not happened right away, and you felt frustrated? How could God be helping you through it?
December 19th
- Adults: What gifts from God can’t be purchased? How do you value them?
- Kids: What is a gift you can’t buy that’s really special? Which gift from Jesus do you like most (peace, love, forgiveness)?
December 20th
- Adults: What does reconciliation mean between you and God, and you and others? Who do you need to reconcile with?
- Kids: What does being friends with Jesus feel like? Is there someone you could say sorry to or make things right with?
Week 4
Week 4 Activities
- Build a Gingerbread House
Make gingerbread houses or graham cracker versions—but talk about John 1:14: “He made His home among us.” Add a paper banner on the roof that says “God With Us.” - Love Feast
Share a meal together where the rule is: no phones, no rushing. Before eating, go around and say one “I love you because…” to each person at the table.
December 21st
- Adults: What spiritual vision problems keep you from seeing Christmas clearly? What helps lift your gaze toward Christ?
- Kids: If you could see Christmas with new eyes, how would it look? What can you do to see Jesus more clearly?
December 22nd
- Adults: What are you most moved to sing about because of Christ’s coming? How can worship shape your heart this season?
- Kids: What would you sing if you met Jesus today? What song makes you think of Him?
December 23rd
- Adults: What is your deepest need, and how does Christ meet it?
- Kids: What is one thing you want most this Christmas that only Jesus can give?
December 24th
- Adults: Which promise of God do you hold onto most? How can you set your heart on it this Christmas Eve?
- Kids: If you could pick one promise from God to remember forever, which would it be?
December 25th
- Adults: How does grace define Christmas and your life?
- Kids: What does grace mean to you? How does knowing Jesus came by grace change how you live or treat others?