A Thrill of Hope Practices for Families

A Thrill of Hope Practices for Families is a devotional resource for households of all shapes and sizes, with weekly reflections, practices, and coloring pages—plus podcast recordings for busy families.

Theme Overview

Advent begins in a weary world, fractured by division and despair. Yet across generations, humanity has clung to the hope of restoration, and God continues to draw near. The Messiah has saved us, is saving us, and will save us. Suffering is not the final word. As we journey through Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, we watch for God’s saving work all around us: healing where there is hurt, courage where there is fear, hope where there is despair. The miracle of Immanuel did not end in Bethlehem. The thrill of hope persists.

Weekly Themes:

• First Sunday of Advent: Keep Awake
  Mark 13:24–37
• Second Sunday of Advent: Prepare the Way
  Mark 1:1–8
• Third Sunday of Advent: Among You Stands One
  John 1:6–8, 19–28
• Fourth Sunday of Advent: Let It Be with Me
  Luke 1:26–38
• Christmas: Good News of Great Joy
  Luke 2:1–14 (15–20)
• First Sunday after Christmas: My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation
  Luke 2:22–40
• Epiphany: Another Road
  Matthew 2:1–12

Scripture passages used in A Thrill of Hope are from the Revised Common Lectionary, Year B.

Description

This flexible, easy-to-use resource is designed for both individuals and congregations:

• For Personal Use: Purchase for yourself or your family to enjoy the season together.
• For Ministry Use: Purchase once and share weekly with your congregation—send it home and invite them to follow along at their own pace.

Each week includes:

• A thoughtful reflection connecting the scripture and the theme
• Open-ended discussion questions for all ages
• A prayer for shared devotion
• Family memory-making activities and opportunities for sacred connections
• A coloring page for creative engagement
• Audio recordings of the reflection, questions, and prayer in podcast format (available near the beginning of Advent)

What I Get

For Personal Use: PDF download

• Family Practices resource
• Coloring pages
• Access to audio recordings for each week’s reflection, questions, and prayer

For Ministry Use: ZIP file download

• Leader’s Intro Guide
• Family Practices resource
• Coloring pages
• Access to audio recordings for each week’s reflection, questions, and prayer