HowtoUseThisGuide UnpackingtheNamesofJesus
The 'Unpacking the Names of Jesus' Bible study is divided into five sessions. Each session includes an introduction, scripture, and deep dive questions. The bonus section, Five Ways to Bring Peace to Advent, serves as a gift to help bring simplicity to this busy season. The goal of this study is to equip individuals and groups to better share the good news of God through Jesus.
Group Size
The study is suitable for a Bible study group, Sunday school class, retreat, small group, or individual use.
Materials Needed
Everyone in your group will need a copy of this study guide and an open mind ready to explore the gospel and learn from others.
Facilitation
Facilitators should be prepared to read the discussion questions aloud, monitor discussions, encourage everyone to participate, and ensure that all voices are heard. The opportunity is to develop genuine engagement and meaningful dialogue among participants.
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CourseModules
WHAT
IS
ADVENT AND WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?
Advent is a sacred season of reflection and anticipation that prepares our hearts for the coming of Christ and renews our hope in His promise. Page 5
WONDERFUL COUNSELOR — JESUS THE THERAPIST (JOHN 4:1–26)
Jesus, our Wonderful Counselor, offers divine wisdom and healing, guiding us with compassion toward wholeness and truth. Page 9
3
MIGHTY GOD — HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAY (MARK 4:35–41)
As the Mighty God, Jesus displays power over all creation, transforming fear into faith and despair into hope. Page 14
4
5
EVERLASTING FATHER — I WILL BE YOUR FATHER FIGURE (LUKE 15:11–24)
Jesus, our Everlasting Father, embodies perfect love, forgiveness, and belonging that never fades or fails. Page 20
THE PRINCE OF PEACE — BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS (LUKE 10:38–42)
The Prince of Peace calls us to qu iet our busyness and find true rest and harmony in His presence Page 26
HOW TO BRING PEACE TO OUR LIVES DURING ADVENT (LUKE 10:41–42)
We experience Advent peace by simplifying our lives, centering on Christ, and choosing presence over pressure. Page 32 3
Preference UnpackingtheNamesofJesus
ExploringtheNames,ExperiencingtheGift
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, or is it? The days leading up to Christmas are filled with parties, presents, and pessimism. Parties we often don’t want to attend, presents we can’t afford, and pessimism because we’re missing loved ones who have died, relationships that have failed, and exhaustion from all the chaos of the most wonderful time of the year.
God’s intent is for Hope, Joy, Love, and Peace to be felt in the days leading up to the birth of His Son. We can experience this feeling by observing Advent, which is meant to be a season of anticipation, preparation, celebration, and understanding the perfect gift of Jesus.
Nearly 700 years ago, before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah proclaimed his birth, saying, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Advent is truly enjoyed when we understand who Jesus is. In this Bible Study, we will get to know Jesus better by exploring the meaning of the names given to him by Isaiah (9:6). In session one, we will understand what it means to have a wonderful counselor; in session two, we will uncover how Jesus is a mighty God; in session three, we will learn what it means to have an everlasting Father; and in session four, the Prince of Peace will be revealed.
Our prayer is that as you unpack the names of Jesus, the goodness, grace, and mercy of the Holy Spirit will flow over you, enabling you to truly make this the most wonderful time of the year.
Module1
The Meaning of Advent
Advent, meaning “coming” or “arrival,” marks the start of the Christian year and calls believers to prepare their hearts for Christ’s birth and return.
The Prophetic Promise of Isaiah
From early fasting and prayer to candles, hymns, and Scripture readings, Advent has evolved into a season that renews hope and invites believers to encounter God anew.
The Purpose of Advent Today
Observing Advent transforms our focus from worldly busyness to divine promise, preparing us not just for Christmas, but for spiritual renewal and encounter with Christ.
The History and Traditions of Advent
From early fasting and prayer to candles, hymns, and Scripture readings, Advent has evolved into a season that renews hope and invites believers to encounter God anew.
Isaiah spoke these words during a dark time in Israel’s history. The nation was fractured, threatened by war, and burdened by unfaithful leadership. Yet, in the midst of despair, Isaiah declared a message of hope: a child would come who would bring light to those living in darkness. This prophecy pointed beyond Isaiah’s time to the coming of Jesus the Savior who embodies divine wisdom, power, love, and peace.
Each name carries a promise. As Wonderful Counselor, Christ offers guidance when life confuses us. As Mighty God, He conquers sin and fear. As Everlasting Father, He loves with unending care. As Prince of Peace, He restores harmony to broken hearts and communities.
These names are the heartbeat of Advent. When we truly grasp their meaning, Advent becomes more than a countdown to Christmas it becomes a renewal of faith, hope, and purpose for our lives today.
DeepDiveIntoIsaiah9:6
1. Advent calls us to prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming. Which of the names in Isaiah 9:6 most resonates with you this season?
2. How can you embody the meaning of the word you chose in your relationships, decisions, and faith journey?
DeepDiveIntoIsaiah9:6
3. How does the phrase “the government will be on his shoulders” challenge our understanding of power, leadership, and authority in light of Jesus’ humble birth and servanthearted reign?
4. In what ways does meditating on the names of Jesus during Advent help you experience s presence not only as a historical Savior but as a living reality guiding your life today?
Module2
WONDERFULCOUNSELOR
JESUSTHETHERAPIST
Jesus the Wonderful Counselor
Isaiah 9:6 reveals Jesus as the Wonderful Counselor, offering divine wisdom and compassion to heal the heart and guide the soul toward wholeness.
The Counselor in Action
Throughout Scripture, Jesus meets people in their pain— counseling the Samaritan woman, restoring the tormented, and inviting the weary to find rest in Him.
The Model of True Healing
Jesus embodies the perfect therapist’s heart, listening and restoring with divine understanding, showing that seeking healing is an act of faith, not weakness.
John 4:1-26
New International Version
Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman
4 Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.
4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.
7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a])
10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
John 4:1-26
New International Version
Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman
14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband.
18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
DeepDiveIntoJohn4:1-26
1. Jesus begins the conversation with compassion and understanding, meeting the Samaritan woman where she is. How does this moment reveal Jesus’ heart as the Wonderful Counselor, and what does it teach us about the importance of empathy and active listening when helping others?
2. Jesus gently uncovers the woman’s truth, not to condemn her, but to heal her. In what ways does this demonstrate the kind of counseling Jesus provides? How can we invite His guidance to confront our own hidden hurts with honesty and grace?
DeepDiveIntoJohn4:1-26
3. Through their dialogue, Jesus leads the woman from confusion to revelation and from shame to worship. How does this show His ability to guide us toward transformation? What does it mean for you personally to let Jesus counsel your heart during seasons of struggle or uncertainty?
MIGHTYGOD HEREICOMETOSAVETHEDAY
Our hearts long for a hero who saves when all seems lost.
In the 1950s classic cartoon Mighty Mouse, the small but fearless superhero would burst onto the screen singing, “Here I come to save the day!” Every episode followed the same theme: when danger appeared and hope was gone, Mighty Mouse swooped in to rescue the helpless. It was simple, exaggerated fun, but it also captured something deeply human our longing for a hero who saves when all seems lost.
Jesus, the Mighty God, reveals His power through divine strength and sacrificial love.
Isaiah 9:6 names Jesus as Mighty God the true and eternal Savior who doesn’t just rescue us from external trouble but redeems us from the power of sin and death.
Unlike the cartoon hero who flies in for a quick fix, Jesus’ strength is both divine and sacrificial. His power is revealed not only in miracles but in mercy, not just in might but in love.
MIGHTYGOD HEREICOMETOSAVETHEDAY
Through miracles, authority over death, and the cross, Jesus proves His unmatched power to save.
In Mark 4:39, Jesus calms a raging storm with three words, “Peace, be still,” showing that creation itself obeys Him. In John 11:43–44, He calls Lazarus from the tomb, proving that even death must surrender to His authority. And in Luke 23:33–46, hanging on the cross, He performs His greatest rescue, bearing the weight of our sins so that we might be free.
Our Mighty God continues to rescue and transform lives with eternal strength and unending hope
Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus does far more than save the day; He saves our souls. His might is not cartoonish or momentary but eternal, transforming weakness into victory and despair into hope. When we cry out in faith, our Mighty God still answers, “Here I come to save the day.”
Mark 4:35-41
New International Version Jesus Calms the Storm
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
DeepDiveIntoMark4:35–41
1. When the storm arose, the disciples panicked while Jesus slept peacefully. What does this contrast reveal about faith versus fear? How does Jesus’ calmness display His divine might even in the midst of chaos?
2. Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Peace, be still,” and the storm obeyed. What does this moment teach us about Jesus’ authority over creation and the power of His word in calming both external storms and internal struggles?
DeepDiveIntoMark4:35–41
3. The disciples asked, “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey him!”
How does this question help us understand the growing revelation of Jesus as Mighty God rather than merely a great teacher or prophet?
4. Jesus challenges His followers, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
What might this question mean for believers today who face fear, uncertainty, or crisis? How does trust in the Mighty God change our response?
DeepDiveIntoMark4:35–41
5. Personal Reflection:
Jesus still saves the day sometimes in unexpected ways. How has Jesus “saved the day” for you personally, or for someone you know, by showing His mighty power in a moment of need?
Module4
EVERLASTINGFATHER IWILLBEYOURFATHERFIGURE
I Will Be Your Father Figure
In his 1987 hit “Father Figure,” George Michael sang, “I will be your father figure, put your tiny hand in mine… I will be the one who loves you till the end of time.” Though written as a love song, these lyrics echo a longing that lives deep within the human heart —the desire for someone who loves unconditionally, protects faithfully, and stays forever. Isaiah 9:6 names Jesus the Everlasting Father, revealing that He is the One who perfectly fulfills this longing. His love is not temporary or transactional it is eternal, paternal, and profoundly personal.
Through compassion, presence, and forgiveness, Jesus reveals the heart of a true Father.
Throughout Scripture, Jesus demonstrates the qualities of a true Father figure. In Mark 10:13–16, He welcomes the children, blessing them and declaring that the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. His tenderness shows that divine strength is never without compassion. In John 14:18, Jesus comforts His disciples, saying, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you,” reminding us that His presence brings belonging even in loneliness. And in Luke 15:11–24, through the parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus paints a vivid portrait of the Father’s heart—a love that runs toward us with open arms, forgives unconditionally, and restores completely when we return home.
Module4
EVERLASTINGFATHER IWILLBEYOURFATHERFIGURE
In Christ, we find the Father we’ve always needed—faithful, protective, and unending in His love.
When we call Him Everlasting Father, we embrace more than an image of care; we claim an eternal relationship. Jesus says, “Put your tiny hand in mine,” not as a lyric but as a promise. His fatherly love sustains us when human love fails. He disciplines, protects, and guides with a perfect balance of grace and truth. And unlike any earthly parent, He will never grow weary, walk away, or stop loving us. In Him, we find the Father we’ve always needed—the One who truly loves us till the end of time.
Luke 15:11-24
New International Version
The Parable of the Lost Son
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
DeepDiveIntoLuke15:11-24
1. The father allows his son to leave with his inheritance, knowing the pain it may cause. What does this reveal about the nature of true love and freedom, and how does Jesus, as our Father figure, allow us space to grow even when we make mistakes?
2. When the son returns home, the father runs to meet him, embracing him before a word is spoken. How does this action reflect the heart of Jesus toward those who have wandered away, and what does it teach us about grace that pursues rather than waits?
DeepDiveIntoLuke15:11-24
3. The disciples asked, “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey him!”
How does this question help us understand the growing revelation of Jesus as Mighty God rather than merely a great teacher or prophet?
4. The father celebrates rather than condemns, turning repentance into rejoicing.
How does this story reshape our understanding of God’s forgiveness and the joy He feels when His children return?
DeepDiveIntoLuke15:11-24
5. Personal Reflection:
How has Jesus been a Father figure in your life, guiding, protecting, or welcoming you home when you felt lost or unworthy?
THEPRINCEOFPEACE BLESSEDARETHEPEACEMAKERS
Honoring Peacemakers Through the Nobel Peace Prize
Since 1901, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to those who work to bring reconciliation and harmony to a divided world. Its recipients include remarkable Americans like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who led a nonviolent movement for justice; President Jimmy Carter, honored for his dedicated diplomatic efforts; and Al Gore, recognized for raising awareness about global stewardship and environmental peace. Each, in their own way, embodies the blessing spoken by Jesus: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Yet, as noble as their efforts have been, the most genuine and lasting model of peace comes from Jesus Himself, the Prince of Peace foretold in Isaiah 9:6.
Jesus—The True Source of Lasting Peace
Unlike worldly peace, which often depends on compromise or circumstance, the peace Jesus gives is rooted in reconciliation with God. In John 14:27, Jesus tells His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” His peace calms not merely external conflict but the internal storms of guilt, fear, and division.
THEPRINCEOFPEACE BLESSEDARETHEPEACEMAKERS
Christ’s Sacrificial Peace Unites Humanity
In Ephesians 2:14, Paul declares, “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier.” Through the cross, Jesus reconciled humanity with God and with one another, creating a peace that transcends nations and generations. And in Colossians 3:15, believers are reminded, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.”
Following the Prince of Peace in Action
Jesus, the Prince of Peace, doesn’t just bring peace; He is peace. His example calls us to move beyond passive calm toward active peacemaking, bridging divides, healing wounds, and reflecting His love in a world desperate for reconciliation.
New International Version
At the Home of Martha and Mary
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
DeepDiveIntoLuke10:38-42
Jesus Offering the Gift of Peace Through Simplification
1. Martha is described as “worried and upset about many things,” while Mary sits quietly at Jesus’ feet. What does this story teach us about the tension between doing for Jesus and being with Jesus, and how does simplification help us experience His peace more fully?
2. Jesus gently corrects Martha rather than condemning her. How does His tone and message demonstrate that the path to peace often begins with reordering our priorities rather than abandoning our responsibilities?
DeepDiveIntoLuke10:38-42
Jesus Offering the Gift of Peace Through Simplification
3. Mary chose “the better part,” which would not be taken from her.
What might “the better part” look like in your daily life, especially during the busy Advent season?
4. Martha’s busyness stemmed from good intentions to serve the Lord.
How can even good work become a distraction if it pulls us away from time with God?
DeepDiveIntoLuke10:38-42
Jesus Offering the Gift of Peace Through Simplification
5. Personal Reflection:
What are three specific ways you can bring the simplification of peace into your life this Advent? Describe practices that help you slow down, refocus, and make Jesus the true center of your celebration?
BonusModule
HOW TO BRING PEACE TO OUR LIVES DURING ADVENT (LUKE 10:41–42)
We experience Advent peace by simplifying our lives, centering on Christ, and choosing presence over pressure.
The season of Advent was once a sacred time of stillness, a season of expectation, prayer, and preparation for the birth of Christ. Yet in today’s world, Advent has become one of the busiest times of the year. Shopping lists grow longer, calendars are filled with parties and programs, and our hearts often become restless instead of ready. We rush to prepare for Christmas Day but forget to prepare our souls for the coming of the Prince of Peace.
True Advent peace is not the absence of activity but the presence of Jesus amid it. When Isaiah called Him “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6), he pointed to a Savior who brings calm to chaos and light to darkness. Jesus told His followers, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27). This peace is not something the world can give through rest or routine it comes through relationship with Christ.
BonusModule
HOW TO BRING PEACE TO OUR LIVES DURING ADVENT (LUKE 10:41–42)
We experience Advent peace by simplifying our lives, centering on Christ, and choosing presence over pressure.
During Advent, we are encouraged to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with this sacred peace. It involves saying “no” to the pressure to be perfect and “yes” to the presence of God. It means worshiping before worrying, reflecting before rushing, and finding joy in the simple miracle that God is with us.
When we focus our hearts on Jesus, peace becomes more than just a feeling; it becomes a way of living. Advent peace transforms our homes, conversations, and priorities. In a season full of noise and activity, let us quiet our souls long enough to hear the whisper of Emmanuel God with us.
FiveWaystoBringPeacetoAdvent
Simplify your life during Advent by slowing down, focusing on what truly matters, and making space for prayer, peace, and gratitude.
Release old grudges to make room for grace and healing.
Forgive
Worship
Serve Other
Pause amid the busyness to reflect on God’s presence and power.
Follow Christ’s example by showing love through simple acts of kindness
AboutTheAuthors
Reverend Marben Bland serves as the Pastor of Greater Bethel AME Church in Athens, Georgia, and is also the CEO of 2 The Point Theological Media. He has earned degrees in both Business and Theology, including a Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary. A talented preacher, educator, and communicator, Marben skillfully blends faith, leadership, and media innovation to foster spiritual growth, empower communities, and promote the message of Christ through contemporary platforms.
Discover more inspiration and resources at www.gbaathens.org or simply scan the QR code to connect instantly!”
