Release
WELCOME TO WEEK 4
You took a test and now you are waiting for your test results. Your team finished the season and now you are waiting to see the result of your record and if you will go to the playoffs. Your group competed in the competition and you are waiting for your groups result scores. We often wait to see what the end result is, but God is not waiting to see what the results of anything will be. This week we will see that God already knows the results of everything!
BIBLE STORY
Let’s take a moment to think about what we like the best about some things. When we go on a trip there are parts that are really fun and some parts may be a little boring like riding in a car for 12 hours. Even though every moment of our lives might not be the greatest we can still see the best of it.
What is the best part of…
A meal
A play/skit
Your school day
Of Christmas
Of summer break
Visiting a friend
Going to church
Going on vacation
We can think of the best part of the things we do such as the best part of autumn is jumping in the leaves or drinking hot drinks! This month we have seen that we can trust God, talk to God and listen to God, but the best part is we can trust the end results to God. Samuel listened to God and trusted that what God said was true, so He believed that God would fulfill the end result. Hannah talked to God and trusted God for the end result, which was her promised baby. The widow trusted God would provide the end result she needed which was food for her and her son. The best part of each of those stories is the end results that God provided for each of them. God provides us with the results we need the as well. It may not always look the way we planned, but we can trust God’s plan is better than our own. His plan, or results, can be trusted. This week we will look at the prophet Jeremiah and the message he gave about a promised Savior. Let’s read or listen to our scripture for this week and see what was promised and decide if that promise came true.
Read or listen to the scripture Jeremiah 33:14-16
What day did the Lord say would come for Israel and Judah? (The day when God would do for them what He had promised)
Who would he raise up? (A descendant from the line of David)
How is the descendant described? (As just and right throughout the land)
In that day what would happen to Judah and Israel? (Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety)
What will the descendant be named? (The Lord is our Righteousness)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
Was Jeremiah’s message of hope only to the Israelites? No, his message was for everyone. Jesus came not to just save Israel, but to save anyone who believed. God had a plan from the beginning to save His people. When we follow directions we will usually end up with the results promised on the item. When we put together Lego’s wee follow the instructions from the box to get the results that look just like the picture eon the box. Let’s put together a Lego without any instructions but just the picture. Then put the same Lego together using the instructions. Were you able to get the right results by using the instructions or just doing it from thee picture? We were probably able to get the right design after using the instruction. Or it was quicker with the instructions. We can know that the end result is in God’s hands. He already had it figured out and we can trust His plan.
Materials: Simple Lego build, instructions to the Lego build
Alternate
When we bake or cook, we often have to wait for the end result. We don’t bake cookies and have an immediate result within a few minute, but we have to wait for the cookies to bake. Israel waited for the birth of their Savior and God fulfilled His promise. We are also waiting for the fulfillment of Jesus returning to take us to heaven. We can trust that God will fulfill His promise. Decide what you can make that is easy and fun but requires a wait time such as Carmel apples, cookies, cupcakes, or pudding/jello.
Materials: Food ingredients to bake/make something that requires some wait-time.
Independent activity:
We know that we can trust the end results to God. That means, the promises God has made He will keep and fulfill. It may not happen in the way we think it should, but we can trust that God is in control. Let’s create a simple experiment and see what the end results will be. Create your own DIY Lava lamp using the following household items. Use this website as a guide on how to create your own lava lamp. Directions: fill the flask most of the way with oil, then fill the rest with water, add a few drops of food coloring, break up the Alka-seltzer in smaller bits and drop into the water one at a time. Watch your lava lamp erupt.
Materials: Flask, vegetable oil, baby oil, or cooking oil, water, food coloring, alka-setlzer
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, scissors
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Read or listen to Luke 21:29-33 Jesus used the illustration of the fig tree to demonstrate how we can know something is coming. When the fig tree’s leaves begin to come out we know that summer is near. Jesus said there would be signs to let us know His kingdom was near as well. There are things were to be a sign and to help us stay alert and focused on what is most important. We don’t have to predict the future or count the days, we can trust that God has the end results in His hands and will fulfill His promises.
What are some things Jesus said would happen before God’s Kingdom would be here? (V.25-28)
What is something the Israelites were waiting for?
What is something we are waiting for?
What did God promise Adam and Eve?
What are the people called who prophecy of God’s coming events?
What was Jeremiah’s message to the people?
Was Jesus born before or after Jeremiah?
Name 2 things mentioned in Jeremiah 33:14-16 that came true when Jesus was born
Practical Application at Home
We don’t need to be starstruck over people who are famous. Knowing a lot of people or having a lot of people know you, does not equate to love. Real love comes from God and from our family who love us. Although we do not need to worry about what others think of us, we should still show others God’s love. We can share what true love is by sharing Jesus with others.
This week, instead of just saying thank you and receiving credit for a job well done, give God the glory instead. Think of a response you can give when someone gives you a compliment or congratulates you on a job well done. Use a response you have come up with or use one of the following examples:
To God be the glory
God Bless you
I’m so glad to be used by God
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
It was the power of God within me
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
In this season of thankfulness, discuss ways your family is thankful during this season. Talk of the obvious blessings this year as well as how you see God’s hand in the difficulties of this year. Then find ways to be a blessing to others in your community by donating food, donating time at a shelter, or helping a widow or elderly shut-in from your neighborhood or church.