Advent Words 2021 ~ Grace to Glory

 

Advent Words 2021 ~ Grace to Glory

Tomorrow we begin our sixth Advent Words Challenge. These Advent challenges are designed to be an opportunity to slow down in the midst of a season that can feel overly busy and chaotic, and spend time with the words that express the meaning of the Advent season. We take them into our heart and mind and ponder the words of Scripture as we read them, meditate on them, and express them creativly.

This year we are spending the first half of the words challenge in one passage of Scripture: Titus 2:11-14. This passage is a passage that calls us to live with purpose in between the two Advents, or appearings, of Christ. We are called to live with the double gazing that is at the heart of Advent - to draw our purpose and our motivation from looking back and looking forward. We look back at the promised Messiah fulfilled in the birth of Christ, in His life and ministry, and in His death and resurrection, while at the same time, looking forward to His promised return when He will make all things new.

Today we will set up some context for our passage.

11 "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."  Titus 2:11-14

Our passage begins with the word "for", which in Greek is a term of explanation (gar), meaning the word is leading us to an explanation for what has previously been stated. So, much like we do when we see a "therefore", we generally need to look at what was said before the "for" in order to understand what the passage we are reading is giving an explanation of. If we make it a practice to pause while reading and studying the Bible whenever we see terms such as for, therefore, so that, since, because, in order that, etc., then we will grow in our understanding of God's Word. Pausing enables us to slow down and engage actively in understanding God's Word, which in turn leads us to live it out more fully.

Context rules in Bible study. Too often verses are taken out of context and then used in ways that distort their original meaning and intent. To understand the context of our passage, the "for" requires us to look back at Titus 2:1-10. Here we read that Paul is instructing Titus, his disciple, how to teach various groups in the church "what is in accord with sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1). In other words, how to live and behave as those who know the teachings of Christ. Paul, in his letters, continually preaches that knowing sound or good doctrine will lead to godly or good living. Paul believed that what one believes affects how one lives.

Paul's examples of godly behavior in Titus 2:1-10 conclude with "so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive". These words were not simply meant for the servants spoken of in verse 9, but are applicable to all of God's people. That we will live our lives in ways that people see Christ in us. That our lives - how we behave and speak, how we treat others, our decisions and choices - will be a testimony to God and will impact others for His glory.

So, our passage, Titus 2:11-14, springs from 2:10, and we can ask, "Why should we live our lives in a manner that makes the teaching about God attractive?". Because "the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

Between the first Advent, the incaration of Christ, and the second Advent, Christ's return, we are called to a way of life that is characterized by godly living and good deeds for the sake of Christ. Over the next two weeks we will dig into the many Advent words contained in this passage and discover how they call us to live for Christ from grace to glory.

Below is our calendar for the Advent Words Challenge.

Click on calendar for a downloadable PDF

Join us!

• I will post daily Bible study devotions, along with how I responded creatively, on this blog each day  November 28 through December 24. You can follow this blog by email or there will be daily links to the posts in the Words Challenge Facebook group
• Respond with whatever creative practice you choose: art journaling, mixed media art, scrapbook, photography, digital art, poetry, creative writing, calligraphy - any way you choose! As you take in the Scripture and devotions into your heart and mind, let it sink even deeper as you practice creatively with your hands.
• Join the Words Challenge Facebook group where you can share your art and ideas and join the conversation through the Advent season and beyond.  I typically host a number of Words Challenges throughout the year. 
• Share on Instagram and other social media with the hashtag #adventwords2021.
• Reflect and prepare: choose the creative form you will use for your daily practice. Make or buy a journal that fits your creative form.