Worship Programs

Theme"

"Hope of Earth, Joy of Heaven"

First Sunday in Advent –

Sunday School Opening Exercises

Scripture Memory: Hebrews 10:23

“Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

Create a large “family tree” (doesn’t have to be in depth or perfect) outlining some of Jesus’ relations.  Use the genealogy record at the beginning of Matthew and choose a few names to show how Jesus descended from Abraham.  If appropriate for your kids, have them make, as an activity, a family tree connecting their brothers and sisters, parents and grandparents.

Make the following points based on Matthew 1:1-17:

• Has anyone ever made a promise to you?  Have you ever made promises to someone else? (family/friends)  Do we keep all of our promises? 
• Have you ever promised anything to God?  Have you kept all of your promises to God?  We have all broken promises at some point.  Some promises are very hard to keep.
• Do you know that God is the ONLY one who keeps ALL of His promises?  We very often fail and fall through, but God never fails.  He is faithful to every promise He makes.
• Talk about the promises God made to Abraham (Genesis 12:2), Noah (Genesis 9:11), Zacharias (Luke 1:13) and others.
• Do you know of any promises that God has made to you? 
• The Bible is full of promises made to you (have posters made displaying the various verses): 

Philippians 4:13:  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Hebrews 13:5:  I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Proverbs 3:6:  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Isaiah 41:10:  Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you…

2 Thessalonians 3:3:  The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

• One of the greatest promises God made to us was that He promised that one day He would send a Savior who would save mankind from their sins.  Read Matthew 1:21.  He fulfilled this promise in Jesus Christ.
• We can trust God because He has never broken any one of His promises. 

Prepared by

Ms. Lorena Simmonds

Territorial Sunday School &

Christian Education Bureau Director