For this week’s BeTheDads session, we focus on the Advent message of Pastor Josh’s sermon “Good News, Great Joy for All People.” As we enter the Advent season, this message invites us to slow down and rediscover the joy Jesus brings. We’ll center on the angel’s proclamation in Luke 2:10–11 (NIVbiblegateway.com), which reminds us that Jesus’ birth brings hope and joy to every person. Dads will discover how the Savior’s coming transforms fear into lasting joy and inspires us to share that joy with our families and community.
In this session, dads will:
- Meditate on Luke 2:10–11, the angel’s message, and what “great joy for all people” means for us today.
- Understand that the good news of Christmas is God Himself coming to us in Jesus, bringing hope, not just a holiday.
- Encourage one another to live with courage and hope (fear cast out) because God is with us (Immanuel), and to share that good news at home.
1. Welcome & Opening Prayer (5 minutes)
Begin by welcoming everyone and inviting the Holy Spirit’s presence. Pray a simple Advent-themed prayer, for example:
Prayer: “Lord God, as we enter this Advent season, open our hearts to receive Your good news. Replace our fears with joy and hope. Help us see Your presence with us in Jesus. Bless these dads as we gather, that we might be the bearers of Your great joy to our families and to the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
2. Ice Breaker – Advent/Christmas Sharing (10 minutes)
Icebreaker Question: “What’s a Christmas tradition or memory that brings you joy and reminds you of what Christmas is really about?”
- Instructions: Have each dad briefly share. Encourage stories of family celebrations, songs, lights, or giving. This sets a warm tone about joy and the true meaning of Christmas beyond just gifts.
3. Advent Teaching: “Good News, Great Joy for All People” (15 minutes)
Advent Key Scriptures
- Luke 2:10–11 (NIV): “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people… a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”biblegateway.com
- John 3:16 (NIV): God’s love gift to all.
- Romans 10:13 (NIV): “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”biblegateway.com (reminds us the invitation is for all people).
Summary of Teaching Points
“Fear not… I bring you good news of great joy.”
The angel’s first word is “fear not” – a powerful reassurance. The coming of Jesus overturns our fears. Even if life feels dark or uncertain, God’s plan in Christ brings true and lasting joy. Worldly joys are fleeting, but this “great joy” withstands trials and sorrow concerningtheword.com concerningtheword.com. As one commentator explains, this joy is so “deep and durable” that nothing can snatch it away concerningtheword.com.
Good News = God with us in Jesus.
The “good news” isn’t a new movie or fashion trend – it’s that God Himself has come in the birth of Jesus. The child in the manger is Immanuel (“God with us”). He is the promised Messiah and Lord (Luke 2:11) biblegateway.com. This means God is not distant; He enters our broken world and our daily lives to save and dwell with us. That’s the heart of Advent — God coming near to us in Jesus.
Great Joy for all people.
The angel emphasizes “for all the people.” God’s salvation isn’t limited to a few; it’s for everyone. Whether your family is lost, struggling, busy, or hurting, this message is for you (cf. Rom 10:13 biblegateway.com). As dads, we lead by inviting everyone – our kids, wives, neighbors – into the hope of Christ, not just “church people.”
Joy beyond circumstances.
In Jesus, we have a joy that transcends good or bad days. Even if times are hard (illness, finances, relational stress), we can remember the Advent message the angels proclaimed. This joy is rooted in God’s grace, not in our performance. It means we “can rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil 4:4). We don’t have to pretend to be happy; we have hope that carries us through any hardship concerningtheword.com.
Application for us as dads:
Because Jesus has come, we can be men of hope. Instead of being ruled by fear or guilt, we can model confidence and joy grounded in Christ. In practical terms, this means turning off worry, hugging our kids, telling our wives we love them, and trusting God in our challenges. It also means we intentionally share this news – by telling the Christmas story to our children, by serving others as a family, and by living out forgiveness and generosity so others see Christ’s love.
4. Advent Read Scripture (5 minutes)
Choose someone to read Luke 2:10–11 (NIV) aloud:
“And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 10 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’”biblegateway.com
Emphasize: “Fear not,” “good news of great joy,” and “for all the people.”
5. Advent Discussion Questions (30 minutes)
Break into smaller groups or discuss together, using the questions below. Encourage everyone to participate and listen.
Q1 — During Advent, what does “good news of great joy for all people” mean to you personally? How is this message different from how the world celebrates Christmas?
Sample Advent Reflection: “For me, it means that Christmas isn’t just about gifts or family gatherings – it’s about Jesus coming to save everyone. Even though life hasn’t been easy recently, knowing Jesus was born for me and all people gives me a real reason to rejoice. Worldly celebrations fade, but this joy stays with me. It reminds me to teach my kids that Christmas is first about God’s gift, not just Santa or movies.”
Q2 — The angel said, “Do not be afraid.” What fears or stresses do you need to give to God so you can truly embrace this good news of joy? (Think about family, finances, purpose, etc.)
Sample Advent Reflection: “I realized I’ve been afraid of failing as a father and not providing enough. But the angel’s message reminds me that Jesus is with us and He provides. When I trust Him with my fears – for example, praying about finances instead of worrying – I feel free and can focus on celebrating His birth instead of stressing. It also helps me not to be afraid of showing emotion or weakness, because God’s love covers all that.”
Q3 — The verse says “unto you is born… a Savior.” How does knowing Jesus is your Savior (and Lord) change the way you lead your family during Christmas? What practical things can you do to share His joy at home?
Sample Advent Reflection: “Recognizing Jesus as my Savior makes me want to point my kids to Him, not just play hero dad. It changes my priorities: instead of maxing out credit cards on toys, I might spend time praying with my family or reading the Christmas story. Practically, I plan to have a simple family worship (carols and prayer), volunteer somewhere together, and make sure to tell my wife and kids why I’m thankful for them because God sent His Son. That way, the joy of Jesus becomes the center of our holiday, not just decorations.”
Relevant BeTheDads Posts: For more encouragement on these themes, see:
- “Sharing Joy to make Christmas Merry and Bright” — https://bethedads.com/2023/12/sharing-joy-to-make-christmas-merry-and-bright/
- “Divine Companionship: Not Being Alone but Rather God with Us” — https://bethedads.com/2023/12/divine-companionship-not-being-alone-but-rather-god-with-us/
- “Attitudes – Live in Love because Perfect Love Expels All Fear” — https://bethedads.com/2023/12/attitudes-live-in-love-because-perfect-love-expels-all-fear/
6. Closing Advent Prayer (5 minutes)
Bring the group back together. Invite one person to pray, or use a prepared closing prayer. For example:
Prayer: “Lord, thank You for this Advent season and the hope it brings. Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to us as our Savior. Fill our hearts with Your great joy that no one can take away. Help us cast out our fears and trust Your promises. Make us men who reflect Your hope and love to our families, just as the angels shared that good news. We pray that Your name would be on our lips and Your joy in our homes this Christmas season. In Your powerful name we pray, amen.”
Encourage each dad to commit to one specific way they will share the good news and joy of Christmas with their family this week.
