Sermon Series Ideas for Advent
I have the joy of being the Preaching Pastor at Kosmosdale Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. And each year I seek to guide our church through a series of texts that acknowledge the season of Advent (the four Sundays before Christmas) as we celebrate the incarnation of the Lord Jesus.
There are standard texts (and rightly so!) that include Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2. But if you’re trying to think through a possible series for Advent at your church, a series that seeks to show the hope of Christ from elsewhere in Scripture, maybe these suggestions can help.
A series through Genesis 3. You could divide the chapter over several weeks so that the week before Christmas will focus on Genesis 3:15—the first messianic promise in the Old Testament.
A series about Abraham’s life. Studying Abraham and what God promised him would anticipate the greater Son of Abraham. You could focus on Genesis 12, Genesis 15, Genesis 17, and Genesis 21. Genesis 21 is the birth of the promised son.
A series in Exodus 1–2. You could divide these chapters in a way that you focused the last message on the birth of Moses. He was born to deliver his people, and this foreshadows Christ.
A series through Balaam’s oracles. This section of the Old Testament is Numbers 23–24. The fourth oracle looks forward to the star and scepter that will rise from Israel.
A series through the book of Ruth. This book has four chapters, and the fourth chapter ends in a genealogy. This genealogy takes us to David, the king who was born in Bethlehem.
A series on several psalms. You could highlight several psalms that anticipate the coming of the Davidic king. This could include Psalm 2, Psalm 24, Psalm 72, and Psalm 110. Of course, many other psalms would be very fruitful for an Advent series!
A series in Isaiah 7–9. There are memorable parts of these chapters (like Isaiah 7:14 or Isaiah 9:2–7), but oftentimes the larger context of these chapters isn’t given much focus. A series through Isaiah 7–9 could climax with the hope of the promised Davidic king in 9:2–7.
A series through the book of Micah. The week before Christmas could focus on Micah 5, in which the prophet tells of a future ruler who would come from Bethlehem.
A series in John 1:1–14. You could divide this section of text into several weeks so that the week before Christmas you would come to John 1:14.
A series in John 3. You could divide the chapter in a way that you would arrive at John 3:16 the week before Christmas.
A series in Galatians 3–4. If you started the letter early enough, you could be in Galatians 1 in the fall and arrive at Galatians 4 by Christmas. Or you could focus on Galatians 3–4 during the weeks of Advent. The goal would be to arrive at Galatians 4:4–6 the week before Christmas.
A series in Philippians 2:1–11. This section has 2:6–11, which is one of the richest christological reflections in the whole Bible. You could focus on 2:6–8 during the weeks of Advent.
A series in 1 Timothy 1. You could start the letter of 1 Timothy in the fall and time it to where you arrived at 1 Timothy 1:15–17 on the Sunday before Christmas.
A series in Hebrews 1–2. The whole letter of Hebrews is rich with christological reflection, and the opening of the letter would be a great place to spend the weeks of Advent.
A series in Revelation 12. You could do several chapters prior to Revelation 12, or you could focus several weeks only upon Revelation 12. That chapter is an apocalyptic Christmas story!
These above ideas are the tip of the iceberg. Jesus taught that the Old Testament bore witness to him. The list of possible texts could keep going and going!