Prepare the Way for the Lord: Advent and the Message of John the Baptist

by Adam Hamilton

Prepare to receive Christ this Advent with the message of John the Baptist and best-selling author and pastor Adam Hamilton in Prepare the Way for the Lord .
**Large Print Edition***

For centuries, Christians have turned to the story and message of John the Baptist in the weeks leading up to Christmas. In Prepare the Way for the Advent and the Message of John the Baptist , best-selling author and pastor Adam Hamilton explores the Advent themes of John’s life and ministry, and how John calls all followers of Jesus to prepare our hearts for his coming.

In each of the Gospels, the story of Jesus is intertwined with that of his cousin John, the one whom the prophets foretold would come to “prepare the way of the Lord.” When we hear the message of John the Baptist, it makes us and our world ready to receive Christ.

Chapter topics
1. A People Prepared for the Lord
2. God Is Gracious
3. The Fruit of Repentance
4. Witnesses Testifying to the Light

Components for the four-week Advent study include a book, comprehensive Leader Guide, DVD/Video sessions featuring Adam Hamilton.

Genres: Christian, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Faith

1 pages, Audio CD

Published May 9, 2023

About the author

Rev. Adam Hamilton is the founding pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. He grew up in the Kansas City area. He earned a B.A. degree in Pastoral Ministry from Oral Roberts University and a Master of Divinity Degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.

The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection has grown from four people in 1990 to more than 16,000 adult members with an average weekly worship attendance of more than 8,600 in 2011. The church was listed as the most influential mainline church in America in a 2005 survey of American pastors.

Adam has been married 30 years to LaVon. They have two grown daughters.

Reviews

[Brandon Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers that are familiar with Adam Hamilton’s books will find this one to be pretty standard. He’s at his best when he’s relating the scripture to everyday life and telling stories about how these principles work in the real world. There’s plenty of that here.

However, just like his book on Joseph a few years ago, there’s a lot of speculation. The Synoptic Gospels’ portrayals of John the Baptist are all pretty similar, and there is a discuss of the theological importance of him in John’s Gospel, but other than that, there’s just not a lot known about him. There’s some very good speculation, perhaps that he was a member of the Essenes, but to fill out a book length treatment of John, you have to come back to that a lot and it gets a bit repetitive.

However, I was quite pleased that he chose to include a little discussion on eschatology at the end of the book. In my mind, mainline churches neglect these kind of topics too much, and I wonder if we do that to the peril of our own congregations and others. So while Pastor Adam doesn’t go all fire and brimstone on us, he does point out that judgment and the end of history are things that are discussed by both the prophets and Jesus himself, so perhaps we should take them a bit more seriously. It was a bit refreshing as opposed the boilerplate UMC party line.

If you’re looking for an Advent study or a book to enhance your own Advent experience, this one is a good choice.

[Wendy Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Sunday School class is using this book for our Advent study. So I read this during my devotions each day and used the accompanying leader's guide and videos to prepare for our lesson each week. Overall, it was a great package that really gave me excellent insight into John the Baptist and preparation for Jesus, which was an interesting and important perspective on Christmas. There was way too much material each week for a one-hour lesson, so I am glad I was able to read and process it all myself each week.

My only qualm with the book is that the cover picture is the whitest Jesus I have ever seen. I feel like as a Methodist church we are/should be looking to move away from the European images of Jesus (who was Middle Eastern and Jewish, thank you), so this seemed like an odd step backwards. Otherwise, I felt like the book was a great (and different) Advent perspective that allowed for my own introspection during this season as well as important group conversations.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was slower to warm up to this Advent book but ended up finding it insightful and convicting. Hamilton does a great job delving into some historical background, presenting the theory that John may have participated in the Essene community. I also appreciated the emphasis on John's actual message, repentance and the preeminence of Jesus ("He must increase, I must decrease"). The writing style is accessible without being patronizing, and there are helpful maps and relevant photos throughout. Although clearly developed from a sermon series (this is stated as well), I thought it transitioned well to a book. I usually prefer a daily Advent devotional, but this ended up being a great format for me this year.

[Haley McCarter · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Advent is a time to repent, and to take on practices that help prepare us for the coming of the Lord. And because we’ll always fall short of the life God calls us to live, it is also a time to trust in God’s grace and the promises made in our baptism, to do what we cannot do ourselves.”

loved this quick, accessible Advent study on the life and ministry John the Baptist and preparing our hearts and minds for Christ at Christmastime!

[Tammy Mannarino · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Hamilton's insights illuminating John the Baptist's role in the season of Advent. It's a connection I hadn't really thought about before. Unfortunately, he was quite repetitive in this already slim volume. I'm fine with some repetition to solidify concepts, but it was more than necessary.

[Patty Corwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for a group study at church.
I’ve read many Adam Hamilton books. I don’t think this one was as well written as some others. There seemed to be more repetition than in his other books. I did learn a few new things about J the B, but most were familiar pieces of information. Our discussions were good, though, and the accompanying videos were great.

[Gail Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent Advent study--which we read right through until Baptism of the Lord. Hamilton provides a great view of the man who became less than Jesus might become more. He examines the miracle of John's birth, the friendship between Elizabeth and Mary, the ministry of John and the death of John. Lots of good information and challenges.

[Ltcls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our Bible Study Group is a big fan of Adam Hamilton and this one doesn’t disappoint. This is labeled an Advent study, but it’s just as much a study of John the Baptist. This is an excellent study for groups that want to expand their understanding of John the Baptist and his role in Jesus’ life and ministry.

[Will Waller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good primer on John the Baptist that isn't too academic but does teach. The elements about John's potential Essene background, and how that interplayed with Christ help flesh out the wooly man. Further, the aspects of John's death are clarified in a way I hadn't learned before. Easy read, but a good addition to any Advent study group.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful Bible study for Advent. Once again, Adam Hamilton provides fresh insights on known material and makes it more understandable and relevant. This is great for groups, on zoom, or stands alone as a personal study.

[Janis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Bible study group read and discussed Prepare the Way for the Lord: Advent and the Message of John the Baptist prior to the Advent liturgical season.
We especially liked how Adam Hamilton tied the story of this prophet to current day issues such as fertility and advocacy.

[Tammi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great choice by my pastor. A wonderful lead into the Advent season.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent Advent study and very informative/thought provoking.

[Marcia Rowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different perspective looking at the birth of Jesus. Well written. Studying this gave me new insights into God’s plan for Jesus & John. Made Advent more meaningful to me.

[John Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good

I got this book to join an Advent study group but was not able to participate as I had hoped. Now, reading it in Lent it feels equally appropriate. Well done!!

[RITA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good - story of Advent

[Loree · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the book was informative, but I really enjoyed the last chapter.

[Ashley Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a novel way to look at the season of Advent. I'm glad my church chose to use this as their Advent study, although i read this on my own throughout these past 4 weeks.

[Michele Thrailkill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four week study on John the Baptist..... definitely like weekly studies for Advent over daily readings

[Book Nerds In MN · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with a couple of other reviewers here, that he gets a little too repetitive in this one. My study group really liked and enjoyed his Advent study on Joseph, Faithful, but not this one as much. The video that accompanies it was good, but he talks SO FAST, it was hard for a couple ladies who have difficulty hearing to understand at times. The video was unnecessary as much of what he's saying is repeated in the book.

[Marye Downs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good advent study.