INTRODUCTION

Merry , Rocky Point! This Family Worship Guide is designed to help you and your family worship together through the Advent season. Each week the daily worship guides will be based on the previous Sunday’s sermon, and you will receive guides for fve days of family worship.

Each day includes several different elements:

• Read: You will be given several passages to read, most of which were referenced in the previous Sunday’s sermon. The passages all revolve around a similar theme, and the discussion questions, prayer prompts, and song selection are all based on these texts.

• Discuss: The discussion questions are meant to prompt a conversation between you and your family about the passages you just read, as well as the sermon from Sunday. The goal of this time is not to get the “right” answer, but to be honest and practical, in order to apply the truth of Scripture, that it might impact everyday life.

• Pray: Each worship guide includes suggestions for how to pray in response to the passages you have read and the discussion you have had. Each day you will have prompts that follow the A.C.T.S. model of prayer: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.

• Sing: At the end of every worship guide is a suggested song to sing. A web address for a recording of the song is included, which you can access for free. The full lyrics of the song are also included in the worship guide, and the key lyric that ties into that day’s theme is marked in bold type.

My prayer is that this worship guide would lead you to cherish Christ this Advent season. But I also pray, beyond this season, that the times of family worship you have and the types of worship you all engage in would give you ideas that you can incorporate into your regular family worship beyond Advent and into the new year.

Longing for the coming King with you,

Jeff Dyke Lead Pastor, Rocky Point Baptist Church DAY 1: FOR HE ALONE IS WORTHY

Read:

Matthew 2:1–2, 9–11 (ESV) Now after was born in of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” …After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Philippians 2:8–11 (ESV) And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Revelation 5:9–10 (ESV) And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Discuss:

• Why is Jesus worthy of our worship?

• Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifce, to forgive those who did not offer Him the worship He deserves. How does this change the way you think about worship?

• What can you do practically to remind yourself of Jesus’s worthiness?

Pray:

Adoration: Praise Jesus, the King who is worthy of all worship.

Confession: Confess the ways that you do not treat Jesus as worthy.

Thanksgiving: Thank Jesus for dying for those who did not worship Him as He deserves.

Supplication: Ask God for strength to comprehend how worthy Jesus is (see Eph. 3:14–19). Sing: “”

Access a recording here: https://youtu.be/OBi6x4gRKEU

Verse 1 O holy night the stars are brightly shining It is the night of our dear Savior's birth Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn Fall on your knees O hear the angel voices O night divine O night when Christ was born O night O holy night when Christ was born

Verse 2 Humbly He lay Creator come as creature Born on the foor of a hay-scattered stall True Son of God yet bearing human feature He entered earth to reverse Adam's fall In towering grace He laid aside His glory And in our place was sacrifced for sin Fall on your knees O hear the gospel story O night divine O night when Christ was born O night O holy night when Christ was born

Verse 3 Come then to Him who lies within a manger With joyful shepherds proclaim Him as Lord Let not the Promised Son remain a stranger In reverent worship make Christ your Adored Eternal life is theirs who would receive Him With grace and peace their lives He will adorn Fall on your knees receive the Gift of heaven O night divine O night when Christ was born O night O holy night when Christ was born

CCLI Song # 7031877 Adolphe Charles Adam | John Sullivan Dwight | Kevin Hartnett | Placide Cappeau © 2014 Sovereign Grace Praise (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook)) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 1199505 DAY 2: INDIFFERENCE

Read:

Matthew 2:1–6 (ESV) Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Matthew 22:35–38 (ESV) And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and frst commandment.”

Discuss:

• What indicates that a person may be indifferent toward Jesus?

• How is knowing the Bible or practicing religion different than worshiping Jesus?

• Why is it that we can be indifferent toward Jesus?

• What moves us from being indifferent towards Jesus to worshiping Jesus?

Pray:

Adoration: Praise God for His unsearchable greatness (see Psalm 145:3).

Confession: Confess to God the ways in which you have been indifferent toward Jesus.

Thanksgiving: Thank God for His patience with those who are indifferent toward Him.

Supplication: Ask God to help you move from the specifc ways you are indifferent toward Jesus to worshiping Jesus. Sing: “What Child Is This?”

Access a recording here: https://youtu.be/wO8qluGa-tM

Verse 1 What Child is this Who, laid to rest On Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing Haste, haste, to bring Him laud The Babe, the Son of Mary

Verse 2 Why lies He in such mean estate Where ox and lamb are feeding? Good Christian, fear, for sinners here The silent Word is pleading

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through The cross be borne for me, for you Hail, hail the Word made fesh The Babe, the Son of Mary

Verse 3 So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh Come peasant, king to own Him The King of kings salvation brings Let loving hearts enthrone Him

Raise, raise a song on high The virgin sings her lullaby Joy, joy for Christ is born The Babe, the Son of Mary

Words by William C. Dix (1865). Music, Greensleeves, 16th Century English melody. Public Domain. DAY 3: HOSTILITY

Read:

Matthew 2:3–4, 7, 13 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. …Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and fee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”

Discuss:

• Why is the statement "Jesus is King" threatening to us?

• In what ways do you live by your authority instead of Jesus's authority?

• Why do we choose to reject Jesus’ authority?

• How can you repent of the ways you reject Jesus’ authority?

Pray:

Adoration: Praise King Jesus for ruling in perfect righteousness.

Confession: Confess the ways that you live as if you were king, instead of Jesus.

Thanksgiving: Thank Jesus for dying for His enemies.

Supplication: Ask God for grace to die to submit to Jesus’s authority. Sing: “The First Noel (Born is the King)”

Access a recording here: https://youtu.be/w0RFVzO0COM

Verse 1 The frst Noel, earth and heaven embraced As a virgin beheld her new born babe From realms on high to a manger on earth Salvation had dawned in a lowly birth

Chorus Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel

Verse 2 The Son of God, in kindness He came As a friend to the hopeless, the lost, and the lame Our sins He bore yet His name we despised And the hands that brought healing were pierced as He died

Verse 3 The Author of Life, there lifeless He lay As the grave cast its shadow and darkness reigned Then out of death broke forth a great light As He rose up in victory, the glorious Christ

Tag Now let us all with one accord Bring praises to our King All glory, power, and honor be Forever unto Him

CCLI Song # 7160124 Lacy Hudson | Marc Willerton © 2020 Sovereign Grace Praise (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook)) Sovereign Grace Worship (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook)) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 1199505 DAY 4: EXTRAVAGANT OFFERINGS

Read:

Matthew 2:10–11 (ESV) When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 26:6–11 (ESV) Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster fask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.”

Romans 12:1 (ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifce, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Discuss:

• Why is Jesus worthy of extravagant offerings?

• What does Scripture call us to give to Jesus as an offering of worship?

• In what ways do you hold back from giving to Jesus what He deserves?

• What is one practical way you can live more like Jesus is worthy of all that you are?

Pray:

Adoration: Praise God for making His glory and worthiness known to us.

Confession: Confess to God the ways you hold back from giving to Jesus what He deserves.

Thanksgiving: Thank Jesus for His offering of Himself as a sacrifce for sinners.

Supplication: Ask God to give you joy in offering yourself wholly to Him. Sing: “Come Adore the Humble King”

Access a recording here: https://youtu.be/L5hnwnBa9UE

Verse 1 Verse 3 Come adore the humble King Come adore the King who came Lowly in the manger To our world to save us Fall before His majesty Born to heal our prideful race Hail the little Savior Crown us with forgiveness Hope what hope no tongue could tell Fall oh fall before the one God has come with us to dwell Who in mercy left His throne His name is Emmanuel Christ the Lord God’s only Son O praise the humble King His glories now we sing O praise the humble King Verse 2 Come adore in humble state Tag He the song of angels Come adore come adore Join the wise who call His name Come adore the King And with all creation Bow before come adore the Who oh who would condescend Name above all names God unknown now calls us friend Love that none could comprehend O praise the humble King

CCLI Song # 7134769 Matt Boswell | Matt Papa © 2018 Getty Music Hymns and Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Getty Music Publishing (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Love Your Enemies Publishing (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Messenger Hymns (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 1199505 DAY 5: HUMBLE SUBMISSION

Read:

Matthew 2:10–11 (ESV) When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 28:18 (ESV) And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

John 14:15 (ESV) “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Discuss:

• What does it mean that Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth?

• What does it look like to humbly submit to Jesus?

• How have you not been humbly submitting to Jesus’ authority?

• What change can you make in your life today, so that tomorrow you walk in greater humble submission to Jesus?

• If you did walk in humble submission to Jesus, how would it affect those around you?

Pray:

Adoration: Praise Jesus as the One who is worthy to receive all authority.

Confession: Confess to Jesus the ways you have disobeyed Him this week.

Thanksgiving: Thank Jesus for humbling Himself to the point of death on the Cross.

Supplication: Ask God to give you grace to walk in humble submission to Jesus this week. Sing: “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

Access a recording here: https://youtu.be/VGt8yxX2cnY

Verse 1 O come all ye faithful Joyful and triumphant O come ye O come ye to Bethlehem Come and behold Him Born the King of angels

Chorus O come let us adore Him O come let us adore Him O come let us adore Him Christ the Lord

Verse 2 Sing choirs of angels Sing in exultation O sing all ye bright Hosts of heav'n above Glory to God all Glory in the highest

Verse 3 Yea Lord we greet Thee Born this happy morning Jesus to Thee be all glory giv'n Word of the Father Now in fesh appearing

CCLI Song # 31054 C. Frederick Oakeley | John Francis Wade © Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 1199505