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 see if we can create new results from our paint by mixing different colored paint together.
Have a variety of paint colors, and gradually mix and change paint colors. Have your child predict what color they think it will change into and then talk about how the results of the color mixture.
That was fun creating new colors. There seems to be an endless result of new colors. We can add just a little more of another color and end up with a completely different color. This month we have learned that we can trust God, talk to God, listen to God and this week we will see that we can leave the final results to God. God already knows the plan and has made a way for our situation. We can trust, talk and listen but then we can know that God will take care of it all. Our scripture today tells of another prophet who shared God’s message, and this time it was a message of hope. The Israelites had strayed from God and no longer had their own country. Jeremiah’s message was hope that a Savior would come to save them. Let’s read or listen to our scripture today to hear Jeremiah’s message to Israel.
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 we follow the instructions from the box to get the results that look just like the picture on 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. In our lives, we can know that the end result is in God’s hands. He already has it figured out and we can trust His plan.
Materials: Simple Lego build, instructions to the Lego build
Alternate
Listen to these scenarios and decide what you think the end result will be.
You don’t take a bath for a week
Your do a poor job of brushing your teeth for over a year
You forgot to feed the dog
You lie to your teacher about stealing
You write kind notes to your enemy daily
You take out the trash without being asked
You already know what will happen if you do not brush your teeth for a year or if you forget to feed your dog. We know the results of these things, but there are many things we do not know what the outcome will be. Although we may not know the end result, God knows. We can trust that God is in control and He knows the end result to our problems or situations.
Materials:
Independent activity:
Create a secret message for your child to discover. One a white sheet of paper, write a message using a white crayon, such as ‘Jesus is our Savior’. Your child can discover the secret message by using water colors to paint the page and then the secret message will appear. Did you expect that end result? Did you expect to find a message hidden on the page? We may be surprised by things that happen, but God is not surprised and He is in control. We can trust the end results to God.
Materials: White sheet of paper, white crayon, watercolors
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, scissors
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
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
Sometimes we are in the middle of doing something and yet still waiting for more to happen. For example, we may have started our family vacation by driving to our destination and we may even make a few scenic stops along the way, but we are ultimately waiting to arrive at our final destination. We have already received the promised son Jesus when He came and died on the cross, but we are still promised an eternity with God that we are waiting for. We have received a part of God’s promise now, but we are still waiting for the rest of His promisee to be fulfilled. We have learned this week that we can trust that God will fulfill His promises and we can leave the end results to Him.
We can share with others the gift God has given us. We can share the good news of Jesus’ birth and the hope of what is to come, The Kingdom of God. We can celebrate God’s promise and knowledge that God will take care of the end results. Think of ways to share the gospel with others. Here are a few ideas to get started:
-Send a card to friends telling about our Savior
-Tell someone why you celebrate Jesus’ birth
-Give someone the gift of kindness
-Give away a homemade treat that says “You are loved”
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.