Sing

Prepare The Way
Stars Go Dim

Look! (John 1:29)
Lifeway Kids Worship

Read

Here are some verses for your family to read about Isaiah’s prophecy of John:

Isaiah 40:1-5

Isaiah 40:1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

2  Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,

and cry to her

that her warfare is ended,

that her iniquity is pardoned,

that she has received from the LORD’s hand

double for all her sins.

3  A voice cries:

“In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD;

make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

4  Every valley shall be lifted up,

and every mountain and hill be made low;

the uneven ground shall become level,

and the rough places a plain.

5  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,

and all flesh shall see it together,

for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Discuss

Ask younger kids specific questions about the verses or to retell the passage. Ask older kids critical thinking questions. Here are a few suggestions:

What does Isaiah say we should prepare for?

Is there anything you want to say to God after hearing these verses?

Who do you think Isaiah is writing about?

How do you think the Israelites felt when they were told their war was ended, their sins were pardoned and that they should prepare the way of the Lord? How does it make you feel?

What do you think it means to prepare the way of the Lord? How can we do that in our own lives?

Pray

Lead your family in a time of prayer over what you read.
Consider the ACTS model (Adoration- Adore or praise God, Confession- Confess sin, Thanksgiving- Thank God, and Supplication- Ask God to supply our needs)

Father, we praise You because you did not create the world and walk away. You entered into the world through Jesus. We confess that we often forget your goodness in planning to bring us to yourself. Thank you, Lord, that you continue to work in our hearts to grow us more like you. Give us hearts like Isaiah’s and John’s, that want other people to get their hearts ready for you to come again. In the name of your Son, amen.