Advent 2026 · a free guide for small groups
He has spoken
Advent is the season of a promise kept. God spoke the coming of His Son through the prophets, and His people waited centuries to see it. For four weeks your group reads what He said, tells what He has done, and writes down what He has promised them, so that each person comes to Christmas remembering the God who keeps His word.
Four weeks from Advent Sunday, 29 November. Free to print and adapt. No form, no sign-up.
He Has Spoken: four weeks of Advent for small groups
Meet once a week for about an hour. Read the passage aloud twice, slowly. Talk through the questions, then pray. Give everyone a notebook on the first night and keep it for the four weeks: each week the group writes down what God has said and done, and on the last night you read some of it aloud together.
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Week 1 · from 29 November
He promised
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (BSB)God spoke these words through Isaiah about seven hundred years before Bethlehem. He named the child before anyone alive could see Him. Everything Advent celebrates began with God speaking, and some of His people kept what He said long enough to recognise it when it came.
Talk it through
- Which of the four names in Isaiah 9:6 do you most need to hear this Christmas, and why?
- Isaiah's first hearers never saw this promise kept. How do you think they held on to it?
- What promise from God have you held for a long time?
Between meetings. This week, write down one promise of God from Scripture that you are holding on to, and the date you first held it.
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Week 2 · from 6 December
He keeps His word through the long wait
For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay.
Habakkuk 2:3 (BSB)Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.
Luke 2:29-32 (BSB)Simeon had been told that he would see the Lord's Christ before he died, and he waited in Jerusalem for that day. When he held the baby in the temple, his first words were about God's promise. The long wait ended in worship.
Talk it through
- Habakkuk says the vision lingers and still will surely come. Where in your life does something feel like it lingers?
- What helped Simeon keep waiting, do you think?
- When has God kept a promise to you after a long wait?
Between meetings. This week, write down one thing God has done for you that you once waited for. Date it as well as you can.
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Week 3 · from 13 December
Blessed is she who believed
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.
Luke 1:45 (BSB)But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2:19 (BSB)Elizabeth blessed Mary for believing what the Lord had told her. Then, after the shepherds came, Mary treasured all these things and pondered them. She kept what God said and did, and she came back to it. Believers still learn that practice from her.
Talk it through
- What did Mary have to treasure that night?
- Elizabeth blesses belief before the promise is fully kept. What does that say to you?
- Which encouragement spoken over you have you treasured, and would you share it with the group?
Between meetings. This week, write down an encouragement someone has given you, from Scripture or from another believer. Ask the group to weigh it with you next week if you want them to.
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Week 4 · from 20 December
He has spoken to us by His Son
On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.
Hebrews 1:1-2 (BSB)The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 (BSB)Every promise of the first three weeks meets in Jesus. God spoke through the prophets, and then He spoke by His Son, the Word who made His dwelling among us. Christmas is God speaking in person, and we have seen His glory.
Talk it through
- Hebrews says God has spoken to us by His Son. What has Jesus said to you this year?
- Read back what the group wrote over the four weeks. What do you see God doing?
- How will you keep remembering what He has said after Christmas?
Between meetings. On the last night, read aloud one thing each person wrote down over the four weeks, then give thanks to God together.
Free to copy, print and adapt for your church. Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB). Source: doxa.app/resources/church-advent-guide
A text for each Sunday
Many churches send a short text or email each week of Advent. Paste these into yours, as they are or in your own words, so the whole church keeps the same practice as the small groups. Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB).
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Send on 29 November
Advent, week 1. About seven hundred years before Bethlehem, God spoke it through Isaiah: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given" (Isaiah 9:6). He keeps His word. This week, write down one promise of God you are holding on to, and the date you first held it.
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Send on 6 December
Advent, week 2. "Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay" (Habakkuk 2:3). Simeon waited, and he held the promise in his arms. This week, write down one thing God has done that you once waited for.
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Send on 13 December
Advent, week 3. "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). We are the people who remember what God has said. This week, write down one encouragement you have received, from Scripture or from another believer, and weigh it with someone you trust.
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Send on 20 December
Advent, week 4. "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (John 1:14). God has spoken to us by His Son. This Christmas, read back what you wrote down this Advent, and give thanks to the God who keeps His word.
Keep remembering after Christmas
We are the people who remember what God has said. By Christmas your group will have written down promises, answered prayers, and encouragements. That record is worth keeping, because the God who kept His word at Bethlehem keeps it still.
Doxa Groups gives a church or small group one place to record, weigh, and hold what it hears from God, and it is free to start. For the new year, the free small group courses carry the same practice further.
Questions leaders ask
Is the Advent guide free?
Yes. Print it, copy it into your small group notes, or adapt the questions for your church. There is no download form and no sign-up.
When does Advent start this year?
Advent Sunday is 29 November 2026. Week one fits that week, and week four fits the week of 20 December, just before Christmas.
Who is it for?
Home groups, small groups, youth groups, and families. Each week has one or two short Bible passages, three questions, and a practice for the days between meetings, so a new leader can run it with no preparation beyond reading the passage.
Which Bible translation does it use?
Every quotation is from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB). Read the passages from whatever translation your church uses; the questions work with any of them.
What does the group write down?
Promises of God from Scripture, things He has done for people in the group, and encouragements they have received. A paper notebook is all you need. Groups that want to keep what they record together after Christmas can use Doxa Groups.
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