Study Guide: Under Wraps: The Gift We Never Expected, Youth Edition

Under Wraps is an all-church Advent experience that explores the character of God described in the Old Testament and then revealed through Jesus Christ. Through small group resources for all ages, teaching video, worship ideas and visuals, sermon lead-in videos, and preaching guides, all areas of church life weave together for an exciting, new Advent celebration. The adult study book is the centerpiece of the program, serving as the adult small group resource and the source of content for worship planners and leaders. Each week centers on a key word that describes a characteristic of God that is evidenced in the Old Testament and then seen more clearly through Jesus: faithful, dangerous, expectant and jealous. Additional material on the theme of “Joy” is provided for an optional Christmas week focus. The youth study guide contains everything needed to conduct a four-week study and help youth ages 13-18 explore the character of God exampled in the Old Testament and then revealed through Jesus Christ. Use with the adult-level DVD.

Jessica LaGrone is Dean of the Chapel at Asbury Theological Seminary and an acclaimed pastor, teacher, and speaker who enjoys leading retreats and events throughout the United States. She previously served as Pastor of Creative Ministries at The Woodlands United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. She is the author of The Miracles of Jesus: Finding God in Desperate Moments, Set Apart: Holy Habits of Prophets and Kings, Broken and Blessed: How God Changed the World Through One Imperfect Family, and Namesake: When God Rewrites Your Story Bible studies and Broken & Blessed book. She and her husband, Jim, have two young children and live in Wilmore, Kentucky.

David Dorn is an associate pastor and director of small groups at The Woodlands United Methodist Church in The Woodlands, TX. David most recently produced and hosted PREPOSTEROUS, an online video Bible study, and he also helped found Seedbed.com, an online resourcing site for church leaders hosted at Asbury Theological Seminary.

Andy Nixon is lead pastor of The Loft, a worshiping community for those who are discovering the relevance of the church and their place in it. In this role he heads up the worship team, preaches, and oversees daily operations of the ministry. He and his wife, Deborah, have two children.

Rob Renfroe is Pastor of Discipleship at The Woodlands UMC in Houston, Texas, leader of the popular men's Bible study Quest, attended by over 500 men, and the author of The Trouble with the Truth and A Way Through the Wilderness. He also is President of Good News—a national organization committed to the doctrinal integrity and spiritual renewal of The United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Peggy, are the parents of two adult sons.

Dr. Ed Robb is Senior Pastor at The Woodlands UMC in Houston, Texas. Serving the church for more than forty years, his vision and leadership have led the church to become one of the fastest growing churches in Methodism, with over 14,000 members. He is the author of The Wonder of Christmas, Under Wraps, and Mountaintop Moments. He and his wife, Beverly, have three adult children.