Preparing the Way : An Advent Study Based on the Revised Common Lectionary

Preparing the Way offers the opportunity and challenge to journey toward Bethlehem and the manger by exploring the Revised Common Lectionary readings designated for this Advent season. As she guides us through the lectionary texts of Advent 2012 in Preparing the Way, Sue Mink inspires us to claim for ourselves the call to prepare our hearts, our minds, and our lives for the coming of Jesus Christ in his birth and in his second coming.

First time! The Leader Guide, written by Nan Duerling, is combined with the Student Book allowing more flexibility for leading the study. The Leader Guide gives help to leaders for Sunday School Classes or other small groups by providing the same great materials you've come to know and depend on when preparing to lead your class or group.

Dr. Nan Duerling has been writing and editing curriculum resources for youth and adults since 1984. The editor of The New International Lesson Annual, Nan has also contributed to resources including Mature Years, Scriptures for the Church Seasons, Seasons of the Spirit, Leader in the Church School Today, and Bible Lessons for Youth. When she served as a member of the Committee on the Uniform Series of the National Council of Churches, Dr. Duerling participated in the development of the annual cycles for the International Lesson Series and worked with the youth team as a consultant. Nan taught in the Course of Study School at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. from 1987 until she retired in 2008.

Nan lives in Cambridge on Maryland’s picturesque Eastern Shore with her husband Craig, her mom Ruth, Craig’s mom Helen, and two lively Curly-Coated Retrievers, Ada and Bentley, who are registered therapy dogs. The Duerlings are members of historic Zion United Methodist Church, where Nan leads a weekly lectionary study group for the community. 

Sue Mink creates artwork that explores the intersection between art and theology. She is a graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary and Carnegie-Mellon University, where she earned her design degree. She is the author of Preparing the Way: An Advent Study Based on the Revised Common Lectionary and The Sanctuary for Lent 2014. She lives in Leesburg, Virginia.