<<Download as a PDF>>
<<See previous weeks>>
THIS WEEK:
From the Sermon: Luke 1:26-35
NEXT WEEK'S SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:26-35
Preacher: Pastor Jon Needham
Scripture: Luke 1:26-35
MAIN POINTS: 1. The Miracle of Virgin Birth 2. The Fulfillment of God’s Promises
For our Advent series this year, we will be examining some of the most beloved Christmas Carols and tracing their lyrics all the way back to their biblical sources. Today, we will be looking at Silent Night and the wonder of the Virgin Birth.
Family Discussion Questions:
- What’s something that surprised or confused you about this Bible passage?
- Why is the Virgin Birth a necessary doctrine to believe and understand?
- What promises did God fulfill through the birth of Jesus?
- In what ways does the Virgin Birth give you courage to be a bold witness of the Gospel?
- What challenge in your life feels impossible? How can you lay that burden at the foot of the cross and trust God with it?
Parent Tip:
· Read the sermon summary together as a family. Build this into your regular routine, perhaps reading together around the table during a meal.
· There are five questions, each with a different theme. You can choose to go over all five on one night a week, do a couple of questions a few times a week, or discuss one question per day.
· Each question is meant to be a conversation starter model for your children on how to answer these questions by sharing your own personal insights.
· Even if your conversations don’t go as planned, don’t be discouraged. ALL time spent talking about and reading God’s word is valuable!
· The more consistent you are in having these discussions, the more fruitful they will be. As this becomes part of your weekly rhythm, your kids will anticipate the questions and listen more attentively at church.
Other Scriptures
- Matthew 1:18-19
- Isaiah 7:14
- Luke 1:37
- 2 Samuel 7:12, 16
Parent Tip:
Use these additional scriptures as daily reading. This is also a great way to help your children learn to locate passages in the Bible.
Attribute of God:
MIRACLE WORKER While we have limitations in what we can and cannot do, nothing is impossible for God. He is not restricted by time, space, or anything else. The Virgin Birth is just one of many miracles God gifted the world.
Parent Tip:We focus on a new attribute of God each week to discuss as a family. Use this time to discuss who God is, answer questions the kids might have, and talk about what that week’s attribute means to each person in your family.
Prayer Focus:
THANKFULNESS Spend some time this week reflecting on the many gifts God has given you and thanking Him for His love and care for you.
Parent Tip: Each week of the month has its own prayer theme: Church, Family, Community, and Repentance. Use these themes to show your children how to pray. It can be helpful to add this to an already existing routine, like at bedtime or when you’re in the car together.
THIS MONTH:
MONTHLY SONG:
There is a Fountain Filled with Blood
There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel’s veins,
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains:
Lose all their guilty stains,
Lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains.
The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in His day;
And there may I, though vile as he,
Wash all my sins away:
Wash all my sins away,
Wash all my sins away;
And there may I, though vile as he,
Wash all my sins away.
Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
Shall never lose it’s pow’r,
Till all the ransomed church of God
Be saved, to sin no more:
Be saved, to sin no more,
Be saved, to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed church of God
Be saved to sin no more.
E’er since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die:
And shall be till I die,
And shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.
When this poor lisping, stamm’ring tongue
Lies silent in the grave,
Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save (x4)
Memory Verse:
Romans 6:1-2 “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”
Parent Tip:
This is the same memory verse that the whole church is learning and it rotates monthly. Practice reciting it as a family each day at least once. Dinner time is a great opportunity to practice together.
New City Catechism:
Questions 3: What do the Scriptures principally teach?
Answer: The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.
