The Promise
The Beginning Rewind
Our journey together this year is exploring God’s Big Story in the Old Testament! Last unit, we looked at the Beginning stories in the first part of Genesis, now we are wrapping up the second part of Genesis where we learn about some of the first leaders and families in the Bible.
It is encouraged that families watch the videos, read the texts, reflect on the summaries, respond to the questions and pray together. However, Club 56 participants can also do this on their own- you might need a journal for journaling some thoughts!
Invocation
Find your Club 56 Candle (or a Candle) that you can light.
Invocation: the act of inviting or welcoming or acknowledging that God is present in our space.
As you light your candle, say this invocation out loud: “I light this candle in the name of God, our Creator; Jesus, our Savior; and the Holy Spirit, our Inspirer. The three in one!”
Let’s Rewind! (Club 56 Binder)
Our Club 56 Binders are for taking notes and helping us remember details in God’s Big Story!
Need a binder? Contact Leah M.
Get out your Club 56 Binder and let’s rewind and review the stories of the past four weeks.
This video from Leah IS OPTIONAL! It is long, but goes in depth about our first unit (The Beginnings) and our current, second unit, The Promise to make sure we are all on the same page! If you missed a week or two, you can skip through the video and find the weeks/stories you are missing information for.
If you do not want to watch the video, you can review the summaries below and share with your family what you remember about each story as you look through your Club 56 binder!
Below are the summaries of each of our units!
Reflect on the Overall Unit Summary:
“God made a covenant with Abraham and Sarah that God will never break. No matter how imperfect God’s children were and are, God continues to love and bless each of us. Through Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, me, and you, God’s covenant lives on. God established this covenant for the purpose of reuniting God’s creation, humanity, with God. We are called to continue this covenant, even today!”
Covenant: Genesis 17:1-8
“God came to an elderly, childless couple offering a surprising promise: as many descendants as there are stars in the sky. God is eternally connected to humanity through this covenant. The covenant is a sign that we are loved, not because we always deserve it. Despite our sin and rebellion, God remains tied to our lives by promise and presence. God is faithful even when we are not.”
Jacob & Esau: Genesis 27:21-29
“Isaac, the promised child of Abraham and Sarah, prepared for his life’s end. He sought to give his blessing to Esau, the firstborn son. Esau and his twin brother, Jacob, struggled against each other even before they were born. Jacob tricked Isaac into giving him Esau’s blessing. Though angered, Isaac’s word was his oath; he didn’t revoke the blessing. God’s covenant continued through Jacob and revealed that God’s promises endure even for the undeserving.”
Jacob to Israel: Genesis 32:22-31
“Twenty years after tricking his brother Esau out of their father’s blessing and fleeing for his life, Jacob prepared to meet Esau again. He divided his camp and sent the groups ahead of him. Jacob then found himself wrestling with God. Jacob refused to let God go until God gave him a blessing. God gave Jacob a blessing and a new name—Israel.”
12 Sons: Genesis 49:28
“Near the end of his life, Jacob delivered a blessing to each of his 12 sons. The promise made three generations earlier to Abraham and Sarah was to continue in a new way. Instead of passing through one, favored son, the 12 sons would represent the 12 tribes of Israel, spreading both the blessing and Abraham’s descendants out into the world. The expectation to be God’s people went with them.”
Joseph: Genesis 41:14-16, 39-40
“Joseph’s life was full of highs and lows. Jealous that he was their father’s favorite, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. In Egypt, God’s presence with Joseph brought him success, even as a slave. A false accusation from his master’s wife sent him to prison where his gift of dream interpretation caught the attention of pharaoh. Ultimately, Joseph saved Egypt and his own family from famine. God used the evil intentions of others for good.”
Let’s Reflect
Take some time to reflect on God’s Big Story and your Story! Journal or discuss with someone in your household.
- What do these stories tell us about who God is?
- What does this story tell us about who people are?
- How do these stories connect with your life?
- What do these stories say about how to live our lives with God?
Prayer
“God of Promise,
We thank you for always loving us and continuing to trust us to carry on your covenant with Abraham. We ask that you continue to teach us how to be loving disciples and share your love and Word with the world.
In your name,
Amen”
Benediction
It’s time to blow out or turn off your candle and go on with your day with a blessing.
Benediction: a blessing that sends you out on your day!
As you turn off your candle, bless the people in your home by saying,” May God bless you and keep you, may God’s face shine upon you and may God always go with you and give you peace!”
Quoted texts are revised from:
Connect Leader Guide and Family Page. Unit 2—The Promise: Rewind. wearesparkhouse.org © 2013 sparkhouse. All rights reserved.
May be reproduced for local use only provided each copy carries this notice.