Day 2 All Things New: Promise Made

 

"God loved His children too much to let the story end there." (JSB 27)

On this day in our reading, sin has entered the world... so soon after the newness of God's good creation. It seems that all hope is lost.  BUT GOD gives us a promise on this dark day. The Snake Crusher WILL come and restore all that was lost. 

As we await the second advent in this fallen world, we know He will make all things new. God keeps His promises.

For Your Kids

Read: The Fall, Sin, and Sadness (resources below)

• Jesus Storybook Bible: The Terrible Lie (28-37)
• Big Picture Story Bible: A Very Sad Day  (37-49)
• The Biggest Story: Chapter 1 (17-27)
• The Ology: God's Promise of Salvation and God Sent Adam and Eve out of the Garden (65-66)
• The Gospel Story Bible: second story
• The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible: second story

 Sing:Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Come Ye Sinners
Think: 1 Corinthians 15:22
Pray: Have your children repeat a simple prayer of confession
and then thank God that He has given us the promise of Jesus
Do: Snake Ornament

For You

Scripture Readings:

Genesis 3:1-24

1 Corinthians 15:21-22

Romans 5:12-21

 
   

     So life might feel terrible today. You might be weary. I know I am. You might be torn apart with grief and fear as our world falls into the most awful of chaos. When you are, remember one of the greatest single words in Christian theology: but. We might be weary and filled with grief, but the best is yet to come. Our grandparents in the garden might have condemned us to dwell in a fallen world, but we have a PROMISE of a Snake Crusher to come.  Sin might be powerful, but God's love and promise is greater. We might not be dwelling in the garden with God now, but we will in the true life to come.

     How do we explain this to our little ones? Teach them about this sad day. Teach them that there are consequences for disobeying God's good word, but live out His gracious promises before them as you mess up so badly that you don't know how you can possibly keep going.  Show them what it is to be desperate for God and His mercy and His holiness.  Teach them that this sad day led to another sad day when God Himself was cursed and hung on a tree and died for us. Point them to the Snake Crusher on this day. He is the only One who can restore what was once lost.
     Sin feels like our current reality, but if you trust in the promises of God, the righteousness of Christ is your true reality. God promises that there is an even greater reality to come. We may be outside the garden today, but it won't last forever. God's forever "NEW" will come. 

• TIDINGS and TIDBITS
  
  
   For our ornament, we chose to make an "apple" with a snake on it.  I have used felt for them so far, just because it's easy with my kids, and I can write the verse on the back as my own memory helper. 
• There are lots of other fun activities you can do to review the story throughout the day - like make snakes out of play dough or bread dough or talk about the garden as you play or take a walk outside. Don't miss those teaching moments as you go about your day even if your children are too young to talk. They are never too young to hear the Gospel!
• Don't miss the opportunity to read The Biggest Story today.  Look for the snake in the art. My kids love doing that.
• After reading The Big Picture Story Bible, ask your young ones why Adam and Eve had to leave the garden. This is a great stepping stone to the Gospel in their lives and that all sin is against God.
• Another fun resource for the Christmas season is this advent calendar by Jaquie Lawson. This is one of my family's favorite traditions. You can keep the calendar on your computer as long as you want so you can revisit throughout the year.