To listen to today’s activity, click here!

On Monday we broke our Bible verse into 3 parts. The first part was, “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us,” That part has 9 words, that may not seem important at first, but it will be in just a minute.

The second part was, “and we have seen his glory, glory as the only son from the father,” This part has 14 words. So 9 for the first part and 14 for the second part.

The last section was the shortest, it says, “full of grace and truth.” This part has 5 words. 

For today we are going to count on our fingers for each word of each section. You will hold up a finger for each word you say in the first section. Remember, you should hold up 9 fingers by the end of the first section. Then, start again with each word of the second section. This time you will have to count to 14. Lastly, you will count out 5 fingers as you say the last 5 words. 

Connecting the words with something as familiar as counting helps to not only visualize the words, but also breaks them down into smaller sections.

Good job! Now keep practicing on your own and remember to keep your eyes open to SEE what God is doing around you this week! 

“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”” Matthew 4:17

This verse is the first words we hear from Jesus after He began His ministry here on earth. Jesus tells the people to “repent” meaning that they must not only ask God for forgiveness but also change their ways. Repentance is mandatory if we are going to participate in what Jesus has for us. It’s a way to participate in the kingdom of God today. 

So many of us get caught up in things we shouldn't be caught up in. This might be watching too much tv, being on social media too much, hanging out with the wrong friend group, or a number of other things. Jesus desires to have a relationship with us and even after humanity left Him hanging on a cross, He still wipes away our sin. Jesus is working and is restoring rightness in a million ways, but we often miss them because of the earthly things that grab our attention. As we repent and turn from our old habits, the people around us see His Kingdom breaking into the world. When we live with others in authentic community, it allows us to see Him more and truly experience life to the fullest which He has made available. 

What is one thing in your life you need to change to be more like Jesus?

What ways have you seen God’s Kingdom breaking into your life and the world around you?

Think of one person you can call or text today to hold you accountable and encourage you to be more like Jesus. 

"Awaken our senses to the realities of Your kingdom breaking into our world."

Matthew 4:17 (ESV) From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 

In the midst of our familiar world – a world often marked by conflict, injustice, and pain – there's another reality unfolding. It's the reality of God's kingdom, quietly but persistently breaking into our everyday existence. This Advent season calls us not just to remember a past event, but to awaken to a present reality: the kingdom of God is here, now, in our midst. When Jesus began His earthly ministry, His core message was simple yet revolutionary: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." This wasn't a far-off promise, but an immediate reality. The long-awaited rule of God was breaking into the world in the person of Jesus Christ. But what does this kingdom look like? It's not marked by geographical boundaries or political structures. Instead, it's characterized by the very nature of God Himself – love, justice, peace, and joy. It's a reality where the last become first, where the poor in spirit receive the riches of heaven, where mercy triumphs over judgment.

This kingdom reality breaks into our world in both subtle and dramatic ways. We see it in the forgiveness offered to an enemy, a radical act that reflects God's own forgiveness towards us. It's present in the comfort provided to the grieving, where God's compassion becomes tangible through human hands and hearts. The kingdom breaks through when dignity is affirmed in those society often overlooks, echoing God's value for every individual. We glimpse it in the hope that persists in the face of despair, a testament to the unshakeable faith that anchors believers. And we experience it in the joy that bubbles up unexpectedly in difficult circumstances, a reminder of the deep-seated peace that comes from knowing the King of kings.

To awaken our senses to this kingdom requires a shift in perception. It's like adjusting our eyes to see in a dimly lit room. At first, everything seems dark and indistinct. But as our eyes adjust, we begin to make out shapes, then details, then a whole new world of perception opens up to us. In the same way, awakening to God's kingdom means training our spiritual senses to perceive what's always been there.

Advent reminds us that just as God's kingdom broke into the world in the most unexpected way – through a baby in a manger – it continues to break in through unexpected moments and unlikely people today. As we journey through this season, let's pray for awakened senses. Let's ask God to tune our ears to the frequencies of His kingdom, to sharpen our eyes to see His work in the world around us. Let's cultivate a holy expectancy, anticipating encounters with this divine reality in our daily lives. Remember, we're not just passive observers of this kingdom. As followers of Christ, we're called to be active participants, agents of this breaking-in reality. Every act of love, every pursuit of justice, every word of truth and grace we speak becomes a way of making the invisible kingdom visible. This Advent, may we be fully awake and alert to the realities of God's kingdom. May we not only perceive it but participate in it, allowing our lives to become signposts pointing to the greater reality of God's reign on earth as it is in heaven.

Take a moment to reread today’s Scripture passage and then spend some time reflecting on the following questions:

Matthew 4:17 (ESV) From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 

• Where have you seen glimpses of God's kingdom breaking into the world recently? What feelings did these glimpses illicit?