What do you hold on to when life feels uncertain?
In this message, we step into the first week of Advent and look at what Scripture means by a hope that is solid, steady, and anchored in the character of God. Advent is a season that helps us slow down, turn away from the noise that surrounds Christmas, and refocus our hearts on the One who came for us and will come again. So how do we live with that kind of hope when our circumstances are complicated? And how does God grow this kind of trust in us when we feel tired or stretched thin?
In the first week of our Advent series, we explore how real biblical hope works in our lives today. Hope is not wishful thinking. It is a confident expectation in the living God, rooted in His promised future and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. This message invites us to see that faith looks upward, hope looks forward, and love looks outward, and that all three work together to shape how we live right now.
If you missed the live service or want to reflect further, you can watch the full message above anytime after. We’ve also included discussion questions to dig deeper into the message and a handout with fill-ins to guide your reflection. You can find the handout by clicking the “Download” button above. Whether you watch this on your own or share it with your small group, we hope this message encourages you.
Discussion Questions
- What does Advent mean to you personally, and how does understanding it as a season of arrival help you see Jesus’ story with fresh eyes?
- How does the biblical definition of hope differ from the way people usually use the word, and why does that difference matter for daily life?
- Where do you find it difficult to trust God for what is ahead, and how might a forward-looking, confident expectation reshape that area?
- How do faith, hope, and love each moving in different directions help you understand what a balanced spiritual life looks like?
- What does it look like to anchor your life in God’s character instead of your circumstances when things feel uncertain or unfinished?
- How does knowing that God made a covenant with Himself, not based on your ability to keep it, strengthen your confidence in Him?
- In what ways does Romans 8 invite you to see your life inside a much bigger story than your own concerns, challenges, or desires?
- How does the idea of creation “groaning” alongside us help you make sense of the brokenness you see in the world and in your own life?
- What role does the Holy Spirit play in shaping a life filled with hope, and how can you open yourself to His work in practical ways?
- Where might you need to release control and trust God with someone or something important to you, believing He is already at work even when you cannot see it?
