Imagine this. A promise is made. An amazing promise that sounds too good to be true. A promise that will change the whole world. You trust the one making the promise because He is faithful and true. The promise is made and then the Promiser says wait. He will not tell you how long but He calls you to trust Him and tell others. As the years go by people around you think you’re a fool. They say, ”Where is your promise? Why do you still have faith? Just give up.” Your waiting makes your faith even stronger. The Promiser has never ever let you down and you trust He never will. Even though you do not see the promise come true in your lifetime, you know the Promiser will keep His Word. You are Isaiah.
FAITH: Trusting in God, His Word and His Promises
MEMORY VERSE: “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)
This Week’s Finish Line: I can trust God even when others don’t
Isaiah is known as the Messianic prophet because he reveals more of God’s promises about the coming Christ than any other prophet. In Isaiah 11:1-9 we see where the Messiah will come from and what He will do when He’s here. Isaiah 52:13-53:12 tells us about the sacrifice He will make for the whole world! Isaiah trusted God, His Word, and His Promises so he made sure to tell the people what God told him. Not everyone was happy with Isaiah’s message but that didn’t stop him from sharing. When Jesus came to earth on the very first Christmas He began fulfilling each of the promises God made thru Isaiah! Just as Isaiah looked forward to the Messiah, the bible tells us to look forward to Jesus coming again. We, too, have God’s Word and can be like Isaiah and tell others what God has revealed to us!
Family Questions:
- How did Jesus fulfill the promises God made through Isaiah? Can you think of any other promises God makes in the Old Testament that Jesus fulfills?
- What does it look like in your life to trust in God even when others don’t? How does seeing that God has kept His promises in the past help you have faith when it’s tough?
- What are some of your favorite promises God has made in His Word? Why?
Bring It Home:
1. Countdown to Christmas
Every elementary kid went home with an Advent Calendar you and your family can go through during the month of December. For each day there is a picture that corresponds with a story from the bible to read with your family. You can also read a short daily devotional to help prepare your heart and the hearts of your family for Christmas. Just as Isaiah was looking forward to the coming Messiah, we, too, can wait expectantly to celebrate Christ’s coming this Christmas.
2. Memory Verse Scroll
Grab some paper and cut it in half, length wise. Tape your paper together at the short ends. Write out the memory verse in large letters across the long scroll you’ve created. Tape one straw, skewer or tongue depressor on either end and roll the scroll up. Practice the verse by revealing one word at a time. Pass the scroll around until your whole family knows the verse!
3. Holiday Service Opportunities
A great way to help teach your kids to live out their faith is by serving together as a family during the holidays. Watermark’s External Focus team has put together a list of Holiday Service Opportunities you can do to serve the city of Dallas. Get your whole community group together and use this as a way to share the promises of God with those who may have never heard.
Prayer: Isaiah 53:5-6
Thank God for the plan He set in place for the very beginning and for how He always keeps His promises! Ask God to help you trust Him even when those around you don’t, just like Isaiah did. Thank Him for choosing to come to earth as a baby and His sacrifice for us.
Talk Back
How does your family prepare for Christmas? In what ways do you help your children see the importance of Christ during this holiday season?