Look back: Look back over Isaiah 52:13-53:12 and remember God's will is satisfied through Jesus' willful obedience to die in order to atone for the guilt of his people.

Look ahead: This coming Sunday, we will continue our series considering what Christ accomplished by his death, focusing this week on Jesus learning obedience through what he suffered. Read Hebrews 5:8 together.

Ask: Why does it matter that Jesus perfectly obeyed the Father's will?

Pray: Praise God for Jesus' perfect righteous life.

Sing: Visit the blog for this week's music. You can also find our music playlists on Spotify.

SCRIPTURE GUIDE FOR MUSIC:

You can read some or all these passages in conjunction with the songs during family worship. You might consider doing one song per day, Monday-Friday. 

Exult in the Savior's Birth: Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 2, Luke 2

Come Adore the Humble King: Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2, John 3:16, Romans 3:23-26, Philippians 2:9-11

Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery: Romans 5:19, 8:17, 1 Corinthians 15:20, Philippians 2:6-8,

In Christ Alone: Romans 3:23-26, Romans 6:9-10, Romans 8:1-2, Romans 8:38-39, 1 Corinthians 3:11, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Sing We the Song of Emmanuel: Psalm 24:7-10, Isaiah 7:14, 9:2-6, Micah 5:2, Matthew 1:23, 28:18-20, Luke 1-2, John 1:5

Monthly Missions Focus: Click here to learn about our monthly missions focus.

Catechize: (New City Question 14). This is our last 2023 question. We will resume New City in January.

Q: Did God create us unable to keep his law?

A: No, but because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve we are all born in sin and guilt, unable to keep God’s law.

From Sunday School December 17:

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

• Babies & Toddlers: Jesus loved His friends and wanted them to follow Him. Jesus loves us and wants us to follow Him, too. 
• Younger Preschool: Jesus showed His friends that He still loved them and wanted them to follow Him. Jesus forgives and loves everyone who trusts in Him. 
• Older Preschool: When Jesus was arrested, His disciples ran away. Jesus showed His friends that He still loved them and wanted them to keep following Him. Even though we sin, Jesus forgives us and wants us to follow Him. 
• Kids: The disciples had turned away from Jesus when He was arrested, but Jesus still wanted to use them in God’s plan—as fishers of men who would tell people the good news about Jesus. Jesus is the Lord who forgives us and makes things right again. 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

• Younger Preschool: How do we know God wants us to know Him? We know God wants us to know Him because He shows Himself through the Bible. 
• Older Preschool: How do we know God wants us to know Him? We know God wants us to know Him because He shows Himself through the Bible.  
• Kids: How do we know that God wants us to know Him? We can know that God wants us to know Him because He has revealed Himself through His Word. 

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

• Babies & Toddlers: People who know God will live forever. John 17:3 
• Younger Preschool: People who know the only true God and Jesus will live forever. John 17:3 
• Older Preschool: “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ.” John 17:3 
• Kids: “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ.” John 17:3 

** Next week: God Wants Us to Know Him (Matthew 28)