Families are messy. And I’m not just talking about the awkward conversations at the Thanksgiving table when politics or parenting styles come up. Our families see the best and worst in us, and throughout the Old Testament, God’s family was no different.
When God called Abram (later renamed Abraham) and promised that his descendants would outnumber the stars, He knew this family would be far from perfect. God knew Isaac and Rebekah would show favoritism to different sons. He knew that when faced with desperate hunger, Esau would make a foolish decision. And He knew Jacob would trick his way into a birthright and blessing that weren’t rightfully his. But still, God made the promise, and still, He kept it.
Because when God looked at Abraham’s family, He didn’t focus on the worst in them. As a loving Father, God looked at them and saw His kids. He saw that despite their shortcomings, they were a part of the bigger story He was writing.
In His endless mercy, God didn’t merely take this messy family and redeem it. He made this family the very vehicle through which He brought redemption to the world. He made them His family. And through Jesus—a son of Abraham and the Son of God—we too are a part of the family. So when our loving Father looks at you and me, it isn’t the worst in us He sees. He just sees His kids.
Here is a look at what we are teaching and experiencing in Kids Church this month!
MONTHLY WORD OF WONDER: Before you created the whole world and the mountains were made, from the beginning to the end you are God. —Psalm 90:2
WEEK ONE WONDER TRUTH: God Has a Plan SCRIPTURE: Genesis 12; 15; 17 GOD’S BIG STORY: God makes an unbreakable promise to Abraham—one day his descendants would outnumber the stars in the sky, and through his family, God would bless the whole world. CLICK HERE FOR THE WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL!
WEEK TWO WONDER TRUTH: God Keeps His Promises SCRIPTURE: Genesis 18; 21 GOD’S BIG STORY: Messengers from God tell Abraham that Sarah will have a son that year, and she does, for God keeps His promises! CLICK HERE FOR THE WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL!
WEEK THREE WONDER TRUTH: No Matter What, God Keeps His Promises SCRIPTURE: Genesis 25–27 GOD’S BIG STORY: When Jacob tricks his father Isaac into giving him the family blessing, God still continues His covenant promises through Jacob, for no matter what, God keeps His promises. CLICK HERE FOR THE WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL!
WEEK FOUR WONDER TRUTH: God Is Faithful SCRIPTURE: Genesis 32–33 GOD’S BIG STORY: Twenty years after tricking his way into the family’s blessing, Jacob is on his way to see his brother again when an angel wrestles with him and renames him Israel. Though people are not always faithful, God is! CLICK HERE FOR THE WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL!
