Sunday November 30th
Hello and welcome to Bay Family Adventures, as we countdown until Christmas Day, we will be spending time thinking about the Christmas story and drawing near to God together. Each week we will look at a different theme and this week we will be thinking about hope.
Let’s start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Lord Jesus, we open our minds to learn new things, so that we know more about You. We open our hearts to be filled with Your love, so that we become more like You. And we open our hands to receive all we need to live our lives for You.
Father God, as we draw near to You, please draw near to us too. Teach us to pray. Speak, Lord, we’re listening.
God please help us remember our memory verse for this week:
Psalm 27:14 (NCV)
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord
Today we are reflecting on a passage in Isaiah which talks about the Messiah that God’s people were waiting for, who they were hoping would come and rescue them.
Isaiah 9:6-7
‘…the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever’
These verses describe the Messiah; someone the people of God had been patiently waiting for to come and save them. We know this person was Jesus Christ, but here are other names that describe what he would be like. These verses were written about 700 years before Jesus was born, that’s a long time! The people of God had to wait for Jesus but they never gave up hope.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question which is: who are we looking forward to seeing this Christmas? Maybe it’s a friend or family member you haven’t seen for a long time. What are you hoping your time together will be like? Pause the player here and share.
And now let’s ask God to help us. Father God, thank you that we don’t have to wait to know Jesus and follow him. Please would you fill us by your Holy Spirit and help us know Jesus better.
As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s verses.
Isaiah 9:6-7
‘…the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever’
What word or phrase stood out from today’s bible verses? Pause the player here and share.
And now let’s say yes to God. Lord Jesus we say yes to who you are, that you will reign forever and that you are Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Every lasting Father and Prince of Peace.
After enjoying this time together, lets’ say our memory verse one more time:
Psalm 27:14 (NCV)
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
Let’s point to our mouths.
Lord, please give us the right words and be encouraged to say them.
Amen.