Parent Link JR.: The Promised One

The Promised One -- Isaac/Jesus

Wednesday, December 18th & Sunday, December 22nd

Key Passage: Genesis 121:1-7 (also Gen. 22:1-14 in grades 3-6)

Basic Truth: Grace is a gift from God.

Memory Verse: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Think about it:

A young mother-to-be forced, by the edict of a heartless government, to make a hazardous overland journey in the very last weeks of her pregnancy. Her husband, financially strapped and facing the possibility of an “on the road” delivery of the baby, with neither shelter nor friendly help…

What kept them going, day after day and mile after mile? Their implicit trust in their faithful God, who had given them unique messages concerning the child she carried; their God who down through the centuries had challenged their ancestors with both commands and promises. This couple’s own trust and obedience was anchored in the faithfulness of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: “…God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and at his appointed season he brought his word to light…” (Titus 1:2-3)

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: Why does God save us by grace, not works?

A: No one could do the works required; instead, we must trust God's undeserved kindness.

Grade 1-2

Q: Why did God give Abraham and Sarah a son?

A: Because He said He would! God was faithfully carrying out His plan to send the Messiah as one of Abraham's descendants.

Grade 3-4

Q: How does the story of Isaac remind us of the Messiah?

A: Both were a long-awaited fulfillment of God's promise to grace. Both were to become a sacrifice. God provided a substitute for Isaac, Jesus became the substitute.

Grade 5-6

Q: Why is the story of Isaac really about God?

A: The story of Isaac shows God's control, His grace, His faithfulness and His plan to provide Jesus, the Messiah to die as our subtitute. It's all about God.