Skip to main content

Celebrating Advent - December 6

By

Sing: One or two songs of your choice

Reading: Luke 1:11-13
And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

Summary: There are two main themes that can be addressed in this passage. One, the fear of Zechariah as he encountered the angel of the Lord. The reason Zechariah feared is because, even though blameless before God he still had sin. When God's presence draws near to sinful mankind they realize that they are sinful compared to God and that they deserve his punishment. Second, this passage tells us that Zechariah's prayer for a child has been heard, highlighting the faithfulness of God and his sometimes mysterious ways.

Teaching Tip: Be sure to really make your children wrestle with why Zechariah was in fear at the angel of the Lord. In some ways, this is illogical that fear would be the response. Your children might come to realize that if they give it thought, they really don't understand why Zechariah would fear in this moment. When they realize that they don't understand the answer that you provide will be something they are invested in and will be more meaningful to them.

Questions/Responses:

Can you name a few things that, if they appeared unexpectedly, would make you afraid? ...Lion, Robber, Snake, Monster, Unicorn, Leprechaun, Clown...? 

 Why would Zechariah fear when he saw the angel of the Lord? ???

Didn't Zechariah love God? Wouldn't he be happy to see the angel of the Lord? ????

Aren't angels that come from God good? Why would he be in fear then? ????

 The reason Zechariah was in fear was because God is holy and sinless and Zechariah was a sinner. When the angel of the Lord came to Zechariah he realized that he deserves to be punished by God for his sinful heart and mind. 

 Did God send the angel to Zechariah to punish him or bless him? To bless him. 

 What was the good news that the angel delivered to him? That God heard his prayer for a baby and that Zechariah and Elizabeth were going to have a baby that they were to name John. 

Do you think Zechariah doubted God's goodness all the years that he and his wife had to wait? He probably did but God never gave up on him!

What does this tell us about God? God hears our prayers and is pleased with faith. God sometimes waits longer than we want to. Because of Jesus, God is kind and merciful to sinners who don't deserve his blessings. 

 *If time permits, perhaps you can ask your children if they have ever gotten anything good that they don't deserve. Help them to see that all undeserved blessings are connected to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

 Prayer and Ending

Suggested Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for sending your son, Jesus Christ, to live a righteous life so that sinners can be forgiven and receive your blessing. We thank you that as we believe in the Lord Jesus that we are your children and we can have peace with you, the almighty God. We thank you that you have forgiven our sin and you treat us as your beloved children and not your enemies. Help us to rejoice that we don't have to fear Jesus' return but instead, it is something that we look forward to. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Worship Songs, October 15, 2017

By
We post these worship songs leading up to the worship service so that parents may listen to them in the house or in the car within the days leading up to the worship service. Our hope is that children will hear the songs prior to and it will prepare them to participate in worship on Sunday mornings. My Redeemers Love Hope Has Come I Will Glory In My Redeemer Blessed Be Your Name Here In Your Presence Your Glory Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest) -- Sermon Text: John 11:1-16 That the next generation will set their hope in God and not forget the works of God (Psalm 78:7).
Post a Comment
Read more

God Displays His Beauty While Lifting Heavy Burdens by Pastor Kevin

By
I know I am a little bit overweight. My doctor tells me so. The mirror that I look into affirms it and the scale (that I mostly avoid) reminds me every time I step on it. All of that makes what I am about to say so much more impressive. I had the privilege of sitting on the beaches of Florida's Atlantic coast for 8 days on our most recent family trip. For me there is something magical about the beach, especially on the Atlantic side with the waves washing up against the shoreline. We have been lucky enough to find a sleepy beach town to vacation at. A nook, if you will, that typically features retired folks or families with kids. Out of the way of those who want to party, the beach is truly a relaxing place for me.  Let me tell you something that I gleaned this time around that never quite landed on me. This last week it landed on me, almost literally. My son Ben and I are the more adventurous specimens in the Feder five. We actually get into the salty water where there are jelly f...
2 comments
Read more

We Will Feast in the House of Zion by Patience Griswold

By Anonymous
No one ever plans to have their lives upended. We know that the world is broken and bound in futility, we know that everything can change in an instant, and yet crises still have the ability to shake us to our core. None of us entered 2020 planning to experience a global pandemic this year, but here we are, practicing social distancing, wondering how the virus will affect us and our families, and wondering when we will be able to return to our regular rhythms and routines as what can feel a little like the world falling apart around us.  In the midst of social distancing, I miss my church family. I miss my Bible study, the kids in my Sunday school class, the ability to meet people for coffee, and I know that I am not alone in this. It is not wrong to grieve the temporary loss of these things. In fact, we ought to grieve, even as we seek to live joyfully and find satisfaction in Christ in the midst of difficult circumstances. If we feel no grief whatsoever over the loss of some...
1 comment
Read more