Fri Sep 4

Listen up, little ones

Especially for the littles in your household.

Listen for the words angel and Zechariah.

Reading

Luke 1:5-25, 57-80
Luke has long chapters. For little ones, consider reading only part of the suggested reading.—Sent to Bring This Good News

Optional Reading

Mark 1:1–8

Keys for kids

Also for the littles. Young households might choose, after Keys for Kids, to go directly to praise and prayer.

Zechariah was a priest.
An angel, Gabriel, told him he would have a son.
This son, John, would prepare people to meet Jesus.

Questions

(Some read the ?s before the notes/ ask them after.)

Who was Zechariah?
What did the angel Gabriel tell Zechariah?
What did Zechariah say in praising and blessing God?

Catechism

(1 Q&A each week (Th-W) related to the preaching text)

WSC #21

Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?

The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, for ever.

(1 Tim. 2:5-6; John 1:14; Gal. 4:4; Rom. 9:5; Luke 1:35; Col. 2:9; Heb. 7:24-25)

Notes

(See Saturday for authors.)

The Gospel of Luke begins by telling us about a priest named Zechariah. One day while he was serving in the temple, an angel named Gabriel appeared to him. Gabriel had come directly from God's presence. Not surprisingly, Zechariah was frightened. But Gabriel brought good news, even though it seemed impossible.

Zechariah and his wife were very old and had never been able to have children. Yet God promised that they would have a son. His name would be John, and he would prepare people for the coming of the Lord. Like the prophet Elijah, John would help turn people's hearts back to God and bring families together. At first, Zechariah didn’t believe the angel's message, so God made him unable to speak until the baby was born.

When John was born, Zechariah's speech returned, and he immediately began praising God. Everyone around him realized that this child was special. John was not the promised Messiah, but he would announce that the Messiah was coming.

Filled with joy, Zechariah praised God for His goodness. He celebrated God's kindness, His salvation, His faithfulness to His promises, His forgiveness of sins, and the peace He gives to His people.

Just as Zechariah shared this good news, we can share it too.

Swedish Method questions

See the Sunday notes for meaning of the symbols.

Praise

Psalm 113a, 119v

Prayer

Ask God for opportunities to share the good news of Jesus.
Pray for the hearing of God’s Word preached this Sunday.
Pray for a member of our church, for your family, and for a non-Christian friend/family member.